Community Health Worker (CHW) Program
Practice Transformation Institute (PTI) is an approved provider of Community Health Worker (CHW) training by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS). The approval follows a rigorous application process and more than two years of PTI providing CHW training through community and health system partnerships and support. Among one of the CHW training programs approved by the state, PTI is the only organization with the coveted IACET* accreditation.
The program teaches the National C3 Council skills and health knowledge necessary to function as a CHW in a variety of community settings. This robust training offers teaching excellence along with a leading-edge curriculum that supports the participants in achieving the learning objectives of the program.
What is a CHW?
- A frontline, public health worker who can be the bridge to a healthier community
- An advocate and liaison to connect individuals and families to health care and social services
- Someone who has a strong connection to the community they serve
- A person who may share the same ethnicity, race, language, socioeconomic characteristics, cultural, spiritual beliefs, and life experiences as found in the community
- Someone who can work in urban or rural environments and with low-income, minority, immigrant, and underserved communities including those with limited English proficiency (LEP)
- A CHW can have diverse job descriptions as well as job titles depending on the organization in which they work
What are the roles of a CHW?
- Support and organize community outreach activities
- Work with state and local social service organizations
- Build trust within the community with access to culturally competent and language appropriate services
- Assist with health insurance enrollment and appropriate use of services
- Navigate the health care system and connect with community resources
- Link with health care providers that are culturally and linguistically competent
- Work as a liaison between health care providers and the community
- Support behavioral health by coaching and use of motivational interviewing techniques
- Perform health screenings and disease prevention to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities
- Promote understanding and self-management of chronic conditions
Opportunities for CHWs now and in the future
- Commitment to address and decrease health inequities
- Complexity of health care and services
- Growing diversity of the population
- Increasing prevalence and cost of chronic illness
- Recognition of the social determinants of health
- Shortage of health care workers
Where do CHWs work?
- Assisted facilities
- Behavioral health organizations
- Community focused organizations, including faith-based organizations
- Elected officials including members of Congress
- Faith-based organizations
- Health insurance companies
- Legal clinics
- Nursing homes
- Primary care and specialist medical practices
- Public health departments, hospitals, clinics
- Schools
- Senior centers
Continuing Education
Practice Transformation Institute is authorized by IACET to offer 0.6 CEUs for each individual week of the 18 sessions. You must sign-in, attend the entire session, and complete the evaluation at the end of each session to receive the certificate.
Learning objectives are provided to learners for each individual session. A learning objective is a brief, clear and concise measurable statement about what the learner should know or be able to do after attending a session or training. There are multiple learning objectives for each session of this training.
Course requirements for applicants
- 18 years of age or older
- Minimum of GED or high school diploma
- Effective communication skills
- Basic computer skills
- Access to a computer and the Internet
- Complete the 168 hours of training which includes:
- 103 hours of formal instruction (18 sessions) including in-person and live webinars
- 25 hours of homework assignments
- 40 hours of practical experience
- Evaluation of knowledge
- Certificate of Completion will be given at the end of the program
For questions regarding the CHW Program or accessibility/accommodation requests under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact us!
Contact information
Yang Yang
Training and Education Coordinator
yyang@transformcoach.org
Harmony Kinkle
Director of Operations
hkinkle@transformcoach.org
Winter 2027 CHW Program
CHW Sustainability: Advancing the Profession (Billing and Coding)
How are Community Health Workers (CHWs) best integrated into care teams? What sources are available to reimburse the services they provide to sustain their role within an organization or provider practice? This two-part program will identify services for which a CHW can bill, explain the requirements for billing the primary payors in Michigan, discuss how to utilize HCPCS codes to report services provided, how ICD-10-CM Z-codes are used to report social determinants of health, identify documentation requirements, and more. The program is designed for CHWs and others who regularly interact with CHWs or who wish to gain a greater understanding of the value of CHWs within the team.
To register, go over to the event page: https://transformcoach.org/events/
Informational Session Zero Recording (Not Live)
Please note that the schedule is incorrect for future class.
Interested in the future CHW Program?
Thank you for your interest in the Community Health Worker (CHW) program. Please fill out the form below to receive information about future learning opportunities.
Sign-Up Here!Fall 2026-2027 CHW Program
CHW Sustainability: Advancing the Profession (Billing and Coding)
How are Community Health Workers (CHWs) best integrated into care teams? What sources are available to reimburse the services they provide to sustain their role within an organization or provider practice? This two-part program will identify services for which a CHW can bill, explain the requirements for billing the primary payors in Michigan, discuss how to utilize HCPCS codes to report services provided, how ICD-10-CM Z-codes are used to report social determinants of health, identify documentation requirements, and more. The program is designed for CHWs and others who regularly interact with CHWs or who wish to gain a greater understanding of the value of CHWs within the team.
To register, go over to the event page: https://transformcoach.org/events/
Informational Session Zero Recording (Not Live)
Please note that the schedule is incorrect for future class.
Interested in the future CHW Program?
Thank you for your interest in the Community Health Worker (CHW) program. Please fill out the form below to receive information about future learning opportunities.
Sign-Up Here!