To: Charles Winfrey, Human Services Committee Chairperson
From: Michelle Estell, RS, MSA, Health Officer
title
RE: Approval of a Health-Related Academic Program Affiliation Agreement between Genesee County Health Department and Grand Valley State University to provide experiential learning opportunities for University students
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of an agreement between Grand Valley State University and Genesee County to form an affiliation agreement to provide experiential learning opportunities for University students.
BACKGROUND:
Grand Valley State University maintains multiple health-related degree programs that require experiential learning experiences as part of the curriculum. Through hands-on experiential learning, students apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, developing core competencies and gaining practical experience under the guidance of qualified field instructors. Under this agreement, a Genesee County Health Department employee would serve as a field instructor for a University student’s experiential learning appointment.
DISCUSSION:
The Genesee County Health Department will provide experiential learning to appointed students enrolled in Grand Valley State University’s Health-related programs. Health Department staff will collaborate with student interns to develop goals and objectives that align with Grand Valley State University’s experiential learning requirements as determined by the student’s degree program. This partnership is supported by an active affiliation agreement that outlines the arrangement between Grand Valley State University Health Compliance Office and Genesee County. No funding or county appropriation is needed. Explanation of nonemployee status of University student(s) is described in the affiliation agreement.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
There is no anticipated impact on human resources.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
There will be no impact on budget, no funds exchanged.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
There is no anticipated impact on facilities.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
Students may need temporary access to a county email address and existing county device.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
Collaborations between community agencies and local universities strengthen the local workforce and support long-term community well-being. The partnership between Grand Valley State University and Genesee County helps build a pipeline of public health professionals equipped to improve health outcomes and contribute to sustainable public health initiatives across Genesee County.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Health Officer to authorize entering into a Health-Related Academic Program Affiliation Agreement between Genesee County and Grand Valley State University (“GVSU”), whereby GVSU will provide services related to the placement of student interns to complete experiential learning programs at the Genesee County Health Department, for the term commencing January 1, 2026, and continuing unless either party gives written notice of termination to the other party at least ninety (90) days prior to the desired termination date, at no cost with no county appropriation required, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the January 21, 2026 meeting of the Human Services Committee of this Board), and the Chairperson of this Board is authorized to execute the affiliation agreement on behalf of Genesee County.