Coulter Reviews Senior Living Center Testing

Coulter Reviews Senior Living Center Testing

by | Apr 30, 2020 | Uncategorized

MEDIA ADVISORY – Coulter Reviews Senior Living Center Testing Implementation And $12 Million In Additional Grants For Businesses Impacted By Pandemic

​Coulter Reviews Senior Living Center Testing Implementation and $12 Million in Additional Grants for Businesses Impacted By Pandemic

Who

David Coulter, Oakland County Executive
Dave Woodward, Board of Commissioners Chairman Kathy Forzley, Health and Human Services Director Thom Hardesty, Homeland Security Manager
What

​Oakland County Executive David Coulter is holding a news conference via Facebook Live and teleconference to update COVID-19 case numbers including case trends, increased testing at senior independent living facilities in partnership with local medics. Coulter will also be joined by Board of Commissioners Chairman Dave Woodward to announce $12 million in additional grant assistance for Oakland County businesses impacted by the pandemic.

Where

Oakland County Executive Office Facebook Page, @OakGov.EO
When

Apr 30, 2020, 11:30 AM
Additional Info

How to Participate: • Participating reporters please RSVP to Jaime Fenner at [email protected] by 10:30 a.m. to indicate your participation on the conference line so the County Executive will call on you.
Governor Whitmer Announces “Futures for Frontliners”

Governor Whitmer Announces “Futures for Frontliners”

by | Apr 29, 2020 | Uncategorized

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

 

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For Immediate Release: 

April 29, 2020

Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Announces “Futures for Frontliners,” a G.I. Bill Program for Essential Workers

Program Will Provide Tuition-Free Postsecondary Education Opportunities for Essential Workers; Governor Announces Other Initiatives to Protect Workers and Their Families During the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced a series of initiatives to help Michigan workers and their families during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including the “Futures for Frontliners” program to provide a tuition-free pathway to college or a technical certificate to essential workers who don’t have a college degree. This includes workers like the ones staffing our hospitals and nursing homes, stocking the shelves at grocery stores, providing child care to critical infrastructure workers, manufacturing PPE, protecting public safety, picking up trash, or delivering supplies.

 

“The Futures for Frontliners program is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who have risked their lives on the front lines of this crisis. This program will ensure tuition-free college opportunities and give these dedicated Michiganders an opportunity to earn a technical certificate, associate degree or even a bachelor’s degree,” Governor Whitmer said. “I want to assure all of our workers we will never forget those of you who stepped up and sacrificed their own health during this crisis. You’re the reason we’re going to get through this.”

 

The “Futures for Frontliners” program is the first of its kind in the country, and was inspired by the federal government’s support of soldiers returning from World War II by providing educational opportunities. Frontline workers who take advantage of this program will help us reach Governor Whitmer’s goal to increase the number of working-age adults with a technical certificate or college degree from 45% to 60% by 2030.  The Governor stated that she looks forward to working on enacting her proposal with the bipartisan legislative coalition that helped pass Reconnect last month, the program to offer adults over 25 without college degrees tuition-free access to community college.

 

Governor Whitmer also announced that she is expanding the state’s Workshare Program to allow employers to reduce employee hours to receive weekly unemployment insurance (UI) benefits as well as the additional $600 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) weekly benefit. Both benefits will be funded through federal dollars. Through July, the program can act as supplemental pay for critical infrastructure workers by allowing them to collect the extra $600 per week.

 

Governor Whitmer also called on leaders in Congress to support Sen. Gary Peters’ Heroes Fund to provide hazard pay for frontline workers putting their lives on the line to ensure access to life-saving care, food, and other critical services during the pandemic. It is estimated that more than three million of these essential workers are currently on the job in Michigan. Supported by Sens. Stabenow and Peters, the Heroes Fund proposal would provide these workers with an additional $13 per hour, up to $25,000, with an additional potential recruitment incentive of up to $15,000 for essential medical workers.

 

“No Michigander should have to worry about how to feed their family or pay rent during a crisis. And no Michigander should be scared to go to work,” said Governor Whitmer. “From the beginning, my team and I have been working around the clock to solve those problems for working families. And I will continue to fight for our working people long after this crisis is over.”
Governor Takes Step to Make Child Care Affordable

Governor Takes Step to Make Child Care Affordable

by | Apr 29, 2020 | Uncategorized

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 29, 2020

Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Takes Significant Step to Make Child Care Affordable and Accessible for Families

 

LANSING – Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced a $130 million investment to make child care more affordable and accessible for Michigan families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“Child care providers have been critical partners in helping our state respond to COVID-19, and we are extremely grateful for their service,” Governor Whitmer said. “Every child care provider and early educator is important in giving parents some peace of mind while they are delivering essential services to our state at this challenging time.”

 

Michigan has created the “Child Care Relief Fund” to provide direct, non-competitive grants to child care providers. These funds help ensure:

  • Child care providers currently serving essential workers remain open, and costs associated with providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic are not passed on to essential workers.
  • Child care providers can stay afloat during the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” state of emergency.
  • Child care is more affordable to families now, and as our economy begins to reopen.
  • Child care providers across the state have the resources needed to reopen for Michigan’s workforce when the recovery process of the current COVID-19 pandemic begins and more families are in need of child care options.

 

Michigan’s Child Care Relief Fund consists of $100 million in federal CARES Act funding and $30 million from the state’s child care fund, both dedicated to be used only for child care services.

 

Licensed child care centers, family group homes, tribal child care providers, provisional disaster relief child care centers, and subsidized license exempt providers are all eligible for Michigan’s Child Care Relief Fund grants.

 

Grant recipients must commit to reducing their weekly rates for families by at least 10 percent, and provide care for children of essential workers regardless of where their parents or caregivers work. Grant recipients must also agree not to charge a fee to hold a child’s spot in a program while receiving grant funds.

 

“These funds will help sustain high quality child care that is vital for Michigan’s children and families,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “Whether it’s to help child care providers cover fixed costs like their mortgage, utilities, insurance, or payroll, we wanted the funds to be as flexible as possible to meet their specific needs.”

 

The Child Care Relief Fund will be administered by the Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Child Development and Care – with support from the governor’s office and the Michigan Department of Labor and Regulatory Affairs. Beginning April 29, there will be a simple online application for child care providers to use at www.michigan.gov/childcare.

 

Grants start at $1,500 for home-based providers and $3,000 for child care centers. Additional funds will be awarded based on the size of the provider, whether they are open and serving essential workers, and their quality rating.

 

In addition to this grant program, Michigan has also made important changes to the Child Development and Care program, commonly called the child care subsidy.

 

These changes ensure families can access the care they need and providers have some financial certainty. This includes continuing to review and approve applications; increasing the hours school age children can be in care; extending the deadline for re-determinations so families can continue to receive the subsidy during the crisis; and continuing to make subsidy payments based on the number of children enrolled in a program, not the number attending.

May 5 election: Special rules in Place

by | Apr 29, 2020 | Uncategorized

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May 5 election: Special rules in place

Because of an emergency executive order issued by the Governor (Executive Order 2020-27), the election on Tuesday, May 5, will be conducted primarily by mail to limit possible exposure to COVID-19.

The Secretary of State strongly encourages voters in the 33 counties holding elections to cast ballots by mail, which will be easy to do in this election. State and local election officials will provide easy, safe access to the vote by mail process.

There will be limited in-person voting on Election Day – including access for voters with disabilities who prefer to use Voter Assist Terminals.

Download the Vote from Home information sheet

vote from home flyerApplying for an absent voter ballot

All voters who have an election were mailed an absent voter ballot application by the Michigan Secretary of State, which included a postage prepaid envelope, preaddressed to the local election clerk.

Voters can also complete and return an absent voter ballot application – or any signed, written request for an absent ballot – BY EMAIL, as long as the signature is visible. Scan or photograph it and email it to your clerk.

If you did not receive an application and believe you have an election, contact your local clerk. You can find your clerk’s information, as well as personalized voting information, at Michigan.gov/Vote.

Voting and returning an absent voter ballot

When voters receive their absentee ballot in the mail, they should vote it, place it into the secrecy sleeve and the return envelope. Then they should sign and seal the return envelope, for which the postage has been paid.

Ballots should be placed in the mail today to allow enough time for delivery by Election Day or voters should take it to their clerk’s office. Some jurisdictions offer a drop box for absentee ballot returns.

Limited in-person voting to be available

Limited in-person voting is still available for voters who are unable to vote an absent voter ballot, or who may have a disability or condition that prevents them from voting absentee without special assistance. There will not be traditional polling places, but there will be at least one in-person voting location in each city/township that will be outfitted with ballot issuance capabilities and Voter Assist Terminals.

The Bureau of Elections is working with local election clerks to conduct a secure election that protects the health and safety of election workers and the public.

Voters who cannot cast ballots by mail will be asked to observe social distancing and other safety and hygiene practices when voting on Election Day. Please check with your local clerk’s office for information on where and how to vote.

You can register to vote through Election Day

Citizens who are not yet registered to vote but who wish to do so in the May 5 election may do so at the office of their local clerk up until 8 p.m. on Election Day but are strongly encouraged to contact the clerk’s office before doing so.

To minimize social interaction, the Governor’s executive order allows township or city clerks to accept voter registration applications by mail, email or fax for this election.

Download a voter registration application

Download a large-print voter registration application

Under the executive order, applications to vote that are properly submitted will also be considered requests for an absent voter ballot for the May 5 election and the clerk will send one to the voter.

Be democracy’s MVP:
Sign up to be an election worker today!

Election workers are the Most Valuable Players of our democracy, ensuring free and fair elections for all. And our democracy needs election workers more than ever for the upcoming elections in August and November. Serving as an election worker is a paid position, and all election workers are trained on proper protocols.

During the coronavirus crisis, election workers are needed to assist clerks and count ballots. They will adhere to strict public health guidelines, including exercising social distancing, using sanitary equipment, and maintaining strong hygiene to protect themselves and others from coronavirus transmission.

Interested voters can sign up at Michigan.gov/DemocracyMVP.

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Pure Michigan Encourages Statewide Strength

Pure Michigan Encourages Statewide Strength

by | Apr 29, 2020 | Uncategorized

Pure Michigan Encourages Statewide Strength and Unity with “Two Peninsulas, One Pure Michigan” Message

Contact: Kathleen Achtenberg [email protected]

Pure Michigan is sharing a new effort around “Two Peninsulas, One Pure Michigan” to spread a message of strength and unity as residents throughout the state stay home and stay safe to combat the continued spread of COVID-19. The #ONEPureMichigan initiative is intended to serve as a reminder to residents of the value of unity, connectedness and hope even as we are socially distancing.

 

“As we continue to make every effort to flatten the curve in the face of the COVID-19 virus, we want to remind people that no one is in this alone – we are all one Pure Michigan,” said Dave Lorenz, vice president of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “The Pure Michigan campaign has served as a unifying force during other hard times, and through our Two Peninsulas, One Pure Michigan message, we hope to instill the value of staying united at a time when it is needed most.”

 

The michigan.org website now offers a downloadable worksheet with Michigan history facts for parents to print and use as a resource while homeschooling their kids, and digital postcard templates for people to add their own photos from home and share on social media. Videos that connect our favorite outdoor activities that have now become indoor activities will play on Pure Michigan’s social media channels as well as on select TV stations, which have offered free airings. The Pure Michigan social channels will also encourage residents to showcase their Michigan pride on social media with Facebook profile overlays and Instagram stickers.

 

In addition, thanks to Adams, Digital Outdoor Advertising, International Outdoor, and OUTFRONT Media, who have donated 55 free digital billboards, essential workers and others required to travel will also see the uplifting Two Peninsulas, One Pure Michigan message. The billboards will be displayed in select markets around the state.

 

The michigan.org website and the Pure Michigan’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter channels continue to be a resource for future trip planning, featuring unique destinations throughout the state, road trip and itinerary suggestions and the ability to order the free Pure Michigan Summer Travel Guide – also available digitally. Additionally, michigan.org continues to feature new ways to Travel Michigan Virtually While Planning Your Vacation.

 

Michigan lovers can show their Michigan pride with a “Two Peninsulas, One Pure Michigan” t-shirt. With each purchase, $5 will go to the Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund. T-shirts are available for $28 on https://themittenstate.com/. People are also encouraged to share photos of themselves in their t-shirt on social media using the hashtag #OnePureMichigan.

 

In partnership with MLive, Under the Radar Michigan, and the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association, Pure Michigan is planning an upcoming virtual concert series featuring Michigan musicians. Donations collected online during the event will go to the MRLA fund (https://mrlaef.org/relief-fund.html) that is assisting those in the tourism industry who have been negatively impacted by Covid-19. More details on the event will be announced soon.

 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org.  For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

 

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.