Health Net of West Michigan

Health equity has never been a static destination for our organization—it has been, and continues to be, an evolving journey shaped by history, community needs, national events, and our own internal growth. Since 2015, we have worked to move equity from an abstract value to a lived practice woven into how we show up for clients, colleagues, and community.

This is our story.

Learning, Listening, and Leading: Our Health Equity Journey - Health Net of West Michigan Health equity has never been a static destination for our organization—it has been, and continues to be, an evolving journey […]

Join First Steps Kent for a virtual community partner meeting this Friday (May 15) to discuss the possible impacts of our organization ending navigation services on May 22. We know many partners are navigating questions about continuity of services and support for families, and we hope this conversation will help create shared understanding and coordination moving forward.

Community Update: Health Net of West Michigan Virtual Community Meeting about Health Net of West Michigan

Our clients are the heart of our work. Every day, we walk alongside community members to help them access resources that improve their health and well-being. Listening to our clients is essential to how we do this work. Their feedback helps us improve the resource navigation experience and refine how we support people in reaching their goals.

Impact Report: Client Centered, Data Driven - Health Net of West Michigan Our clients are the heart of our work. Every day, we walk alongside community members to help them access resources that improve their health and well-being. Listening […]

At Health Net of West Michigan, we treat every client like a neighbor: with respect, understanding, and compassion. We see our clients as part of our community and work alongside them to support their goals.

Justice and Ben’s story is a powerful example of how collaboration, made possible through the Community Health Navigator Network and place-based partnerships, can make a meaningful difference for families.

Impact Report: Meet Justice and Ben – A Client Story - Health Net of West Michigan Meet Justice and Ben – A Client Story At Health Net of West Michigan, we treat every client like a neighbor: with respect, understanding, and compassion. […]

Narcan—aka naloxone—is a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, and it’s safe for infants and children. Narcan should be administered any time an overdose is suspected, even if you’re not sure if the person is overdosing on opioids. Anyone in Michigan can get free naloxone. Find out where to get it near you: https://www.michigan.gov/opioids/find-help/naloxone-page

Narcan, también conocido como naloxona, es un medicamento que puede revertir la sobredosis de opioides. Además es seguro para los bebés y los niños. Narcan debe ser administrado en cualquier momento en que se sospeche una sobredosis, incluso si no estás seguro de que la persona está experimentando una sobredosis de opioides. Cualquier persona en Michigan puede obtener naloxona gratis. Encuentra lugares donde puedes conseguirlo cerca de ti: https://www.michigan.gov/opioids/find-help/naloxone-page

Our partnership with Catherine's Health Center officially launched in 2023, creating new opportunities to work alongside their team at Streams Community Health Clinic, located in Kentwood. This place-based collaboration brings multiple services together in one accessible space for community members.

https://healthnetwm.org/2026/04/27/impact-report-spotlight-on-catherines-health-center/

Regular STI testing helps everyone stay healthier, whether you have one partner or multiple. Some STIs don’t cause symptoms right away, and it can take up to three months after exposure for some to show up on a blood test. You can also lower your risk of STIs like syphilis by using condoms or other safer s*x barriers. Learn where to get tested in Michigan by calling the Michigan HIV/STI Hotline at 1-800-872-2437. Visit MISexualHealthInfo.com for more.

Las pruebas regulares de ITS ayudan a todas las personas a mantenerse más sanas, ya sea que tengas una pareja o varias. Algunos ITS no causan síntomas enseguida, y en algunos casos pueden aparecer en una prueba de sangre hasta tres meses después de la exposición. También puedes reducir tu riesgo de ITS como la sífilis al usar condones u otros métodos de barrera para relaciones s*xuales más seguras. Obtén información sobre dónde hacerte las pruebas en Michigan llamando a la línea de VIH/ITS de Michigan al 1-800-872-2437. También puedes visitar la página web MISexualHealthInfo.com.

Improving access to health and social services often requires far more than any single organization can provide. It requires collaboration, shared learning, and a commitment to strengthening systems together.

The Community Health Navigator Network is a partnership that brings together grassroots organizations and the Kent County Health Department to expand culturally and linguistically responsive community health navigation.

Impact Report: Strengthening Community Navigation Together - Health Net of West Michigan Sharing Expertise: Strengthening Community Navigation Together Improving access to health and social services often requires far more than any single […]

Years of experience supporting our community through resource navigation led to the creation of our Care Model © Training and Supervisor Learning Cohort. Through these series, we share what we’ve learned with other organizations, equipping their teams with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to deliver exceptional navigation services and support staff effectively.

Impact Report: Building a Community of Practice - Health Net of West Michigan Building a Community of Practice Years of experience supporting our community through resource navigation led to the creation of our […]

Youth social media use has been linked to depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. Help kids and teens stay safe online by monitoring and limiting their social media use and watching for warning signs, like changes in mood, focus, sleep, and appetite. Need support? Learn about mental health services for children in Michigan from MDHHS: https://bit.ly/4mhqb3T

El uso de las redes sociales en los jóvenes ha sido vinculado a la depresión, la ansiedad y a otras afecciones de salud mental. Ayuda a los niños y adolescentes a mantenerse seguros en línea supervisando y limitando su uso de redes sociales, y además observando las señales de alerta, como los cambios en el estado de ánimo, la concentración, el sueño y el apetito. ¿Necesitas apoyo? Encuentra información sobre los servicios de salud mental para los niños en Michigan por parte de MDHHS: https://bit.ly/4mhqb3T

One of our core organizational values is educate.

The value is embedded in our approach to resource navigation and through prioritization of opportunities for learning and knowledge sharing among our staff, partners, and clients to benefit our collective communities. Learn more in our latest impact report blog!

Impact Report: Organizational Learning and Growth - Health Net of West Michigan At Health Net of West Michigan, one of our core organizational values is educate. We see ourselves as learners and […]