CHW Certificate Program Overview – Fall 2017
Spectrum Health Healthier Communities has partnered with the Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) to provide the Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance (MICHWA) standardized curriculum for the State of Michigan. Upon successful completion, the student will receive a certificate from GRCC. The eight competencies covered are:
1. Role Advocacy and Outreach
2. Communication Skills and Cultural Competence
3. Organization and Resources
4. Teaching and Capacity Building
5. Legal and Ethical
6. Coordination, Documentation, Reporting
7. Healthy Lifestyles
8. Mental Health
To obtain the certificate, all class content must be completed with an 80% passing grade for each competency. Between classroom and out-of-class work we estimate a minimum of 126 hours.
Class Schedule Attendance – Students are expected to attend all classes as scheduled. Classes will start promptly at 8 a.m. If you cannot attend class, you must contact Susie Williamson by email at [email protected] prior to the start of class.
Class Orientation is Wednesday, August 16, 2017 from 8 a.m. to noon at GRCC, Wisner- Bottrall Applied Technology Center, 151 Fountain Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Parking is available in the Bostwick Ramp (see GRCC map)
Classes will be held on Wednesdays, August 30, 2017 to November 29, 2017, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, 665 Seward Avenue, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
Graduation will be held on Monday, December 4, 2017, 8:00-10:00 a.m. at Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, 665 Seward Avenue, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
Grading policy – Each of the eight competencies is graded separately. The student must achieve 80% in each competency to earn the certificate. 95%-100% A
90%-94% A-
Updated 6/26/17 1 86%-89% B+
83%-86% B
80%-82% B-
< 80% is failure of competency
Grading procedure – Each competency is graded separately using percentages:
o 80% of grade = Tests, rubrics for projects and presentations and other assignments
o 20% of grade = Participation (Homework, arrive on time, cell phone off/vibrate, active involvement in class)
Late assignment policy – There will be weekly assignments including tests and homework that will be done outside of class. Class assignments will become available on Blackboard at 5 p.m. the day of class. Assignments are due on the following Monday at 11:59 p.m. (end of the day) and must be turned in on Blackboard. The student will have 5+ days to complete assignments. After that time, students will not be able to access the assignment on Blackboard and NO CREDIT will be given for missed assignments. Missed classes, tests/presentations, participation points – If the student must miss a class, the student is responsible to obtain the learning/materials missed. Circumstances determine eligibility to extend deadline. Contact Susie Williamson and your instructor immediately if you will miss in-class assignments like presentations. Partial participation points can be earned by completing in-class assignments on the students own time. Pre-class work – There will be reading assignments and other requirements prior to each class. Pre-class work will be available on Blackboard on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. Parking – Healthier Communities student parking is located off of Davis Avenue. Off street parking is also an option. (See Healthier Communities parking map)
Updated 6/26/17 2 Healthier Communities Parking
Enter the covered doors near the patient parking area. Once you enter the building, Suite 110, Healthier Communities, is through the glass doors to your left.
Updated 6/26/17 3 Updated 6/26/17 4