multi-million-dollar Industry 4.0 PPE Resilience Grants Program

multi-million-dollar Industry 4.0 PPE Resilience Grants Program

by | Jun 30, 2020 | Uncategorized

MEDIA ADVISORY: Oakland County Executive David Coulter and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel join Automation Alley CEO Tom Kelly to announce multi-million-dollar Industry 4.0 PPE Resilience Grants Program

The COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping and accelerating the digital transformation of the manufacturing sector, and Industry 4.0 technologies are leading the way.
Who

Scheduled Speakers:

  • Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel
  • Oakland County Executive David Coulter
  • Automation Alley Executive Director and CEO Tom Kelly
  • Sean Carlson, Deputy Oakland County Executive
  • David Woodward, Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairman
  • Penny Luebs, Oakland County Board of Commissioner
What

The COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping and accelerating the digital transformation of the manufacturing sector, and Industry 4.0 technologies are leading the way. Oakland County, in partnership with Macomb County and Automation Alley, has created the Personal Protective Equipment Resilience Grant Program to address the urgent need to move Oakland County and Macomb County-based companies quickly into the digital manufacturing age of Industry 4.0 to help improve our region’s manufacturing agility and response to future disruptions.
Where

Automation Alley
2675 Bellingham, Troy 48083
When

Jun 30, 2020, 1:40 PM
Additional Info

Media Contacts:

Safety measures:

  • All persons will be screened prior to entering the news conference, including recording temperature.
  • A mask will be required to enter the building. One will be made available for those who don’t have one. Hand sanitizer will be available at the door.
  • News media who attend will be socially distanced six feet apart.

Those who do not wish to attend will be able to watch the news conference on the Executive Office Facebook page (@OakGov.EO) and ask questions by conference call.

How to participate:

  • Participating reporters RSVP to Jaime Fenner at [email protected] by noon to indicate your participation on the conference line so the County Executive will call on you
  • Please mute your phone until Q&A begins. Press *6 to mute and unmute your line
  • Do not place the conference call on hold because all other callers will hear your on-hold message or music
  • There is an audio delay on Facebook Live, so, please do not have Facebook audio on in the background if you are on the conference call as well

MDHHS to provide free naloxone

by | Jun 29, 2020 | Uncategorized

MDHHS banner with logo no names

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 29, 2020

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov

MDHHS to provide free naloxone to community
organizations and individuals statewide

Naloxone can be requested via online portal to reverse opioid overdoses and save lives

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has launched an online portal where community organizations can request free naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses and saves lives.

In 2018, opioid overdoses killed more than 2,000 Michiganders, or an average of five people every day. Turning the tide on the epidemic remains an urgent priority for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan Opioids Task Force and MDHHS. In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have disrupted resources that people who use drugs rely on, access to naloxone is critical.

Naloxone saves thousands of lives each year by reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. However, a recent study found that only 25 percent of individuals using opioids in southeast Michigan had access to naloxone. Expanding naloxone access, especially for individuals at high risk of overdosing, is imperative and an integral part of Michigan’s response to the opioid crisis.

“Getting naloxone into the hands of people who are most likely to be able to save a life is important,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “MDHHS is proud to partner with community organizations to make it as easy as possible to access free naloxone, reducing the devastation caused by the overdose epidemic.”

The portal is available to any community organization statewide, including substance use treatment providers, non-profits, harm reduction organizations, jails, first responders, local governments and small businesses. MDHHS will review organizations’ plans for distributing naloxone, especially to individuals at high risk of overdose. If approved, the organization will receive naloxone by mail; shipments are in increments of 12 kits and organizations are expected to have a plan for distribution and training for individuals at risk of overdose on how to use naloxone.

Separately, NEXT Naloxone has also partnered with MDHHS to offer individuals free naloxone delivered by mail. Providing naloxone by mail-order will help people who cannot access naloxone in their area, have insurance barriers or other challenges.

NEXT Naloxone is a free, online service that makes naloxone available to people who use drugs, their families and friends, and others who may witness and respond to an overdose. NEXT Naloxone is available in Michigan through funding from Vital Strategies and a partnership with the harm-reduction organization The Grand Rapids Red Project. Individuals can place an order for mail delivery at Naloxoneforall.org/michigan.

To help community organizations plan their naloxone distribution strategy, MDHHS has also released a memorandum on the state’s strategy and guidance on naloxone distribution. To get naloxone into the hands of people who need it most and to save as many lives as possible, MDHHS recommends that organizations distributing naloxone:

  1. Target distribution to individuals actively using opioids: Individuals actively using opioids are most likely to need naloxone – and are often best placed to respond immediately to overdoses.
  2. Ensure that individuals at highest risk of overdose have naloxone: Some individuals face heightened risk of overdose and equipping them with naloxone is especially impactful, including individuals leaving incarceration, individuals leaving abstinence-based treatment or detoxification programs, individuals who experience a non-fatal overdose and post-partum women.
  3. Make it as easy as possible to access naloxone: Providing easy access, by distributing naloxone at locations individuals using substances already visit and addressing stigma, maximizes the chances that an individual in active use will successfully obtain it.

For more information, please visit Michigan.gov/Opioids.
Governor Proposes Additional Police Reform

Governor Proposes Additional Police Reform

by | Jun 29, 2020 | Uncategorized

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

June 29, 2020

Contact: [email protected]   

 

Governor Whitmer Proposes Additional Police Reforms for Michigan

 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer proposed additional police reform policies to help strengthen police-community relations and ensure that all Michiganders are treated with dignity and respect under the law. The four-pronged plan, which was developed in partnership with community leaders and law enforcement organizations, will make significant reforms in policy, personnel, participation and community engagement, and prevention and accountability to address racial disparities in how law enforcement is applied toward communities of color.

 

“All Michiganders, no matter their community or the color of their skin, deserve equal treatment under the law,” Governor Whitmer said. “This proposal will help us ensure that law enforcement officials treat all Michiganders with humanity and respect, and will help us keep our communities safe. I will continue working with leaders in law enforcement to make public safety more just and equitable in Michigan.”

 

“People across Michigan have been calling for changes to police practices, and these actions are clear steps in the direction of needed reform,” Lt. Governor Gilchrist said. “These reforms will help us build a more just and equitable law enforcement system and ensure the safety of Black Michiganders across the state. ”

 

Over the last several weeks, the governor added four seats to The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES), including the Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, to bring more community voices to the table as the commission considers police reforms for our state. The governor also requested that MCOLES provide guidance to law enforcement agencies on continuing education that will help officers keep up with the ever-changing landscape of new laws and issues facing the community, including diversity and implicit bias training.

 

Additionally, the governor has encouraged police departments to participate in efforts that are underway on comprehensive reporting on the use of force by police departments and urged law enforcement agencies to implement duty to intervene policies.

 

The governor proposed the following reforms today:

 

POLICY: The Whitmer Administration supports legislation that makes the following reforms to law enforcement policies:

  • Ban chokeholds/windpipe blockage.
  • Further limit the use of no-knock warrants.
  • Require “duty to intervene” policies.
  • Classify false, racially-motivated 911 calls as a hate crime.
  • Require in-service training for all licensed law enforcement officers to maintain licensure.
  • Authorize MCOLES to do the following:
  • Audit law enforcement agencies to ensure they are accurately reporting violations of law or improper use of force.
  • Establish penalties for agencies who don’t comply with reporting.
  • Direct the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Mental Health Diversion Council to make recommendations on best practices and training for police departments when responding to situations involving persons with mental illnesses.

 

PERSONNEL: The Whitmer Administration will work with leaders in law enforcement to make the following reforms to build a more empathetic police force:

  • Provide incentive programs for law enforcement agencies to hire/retain officers who live where they work.
  • Require retention of disciplinary records resulting from violations of law or improper use of force.

 

PARTNERSHIP/COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The Whitmer Administration will promote the following community engagement strategies to strengthen trust between police officers and the communities they serve:

  • Invest in programming in communities around the state that connect local police and community leaders to build relationships.
  • Invest in expanding existing community relationship programs to break down barriers between police and communities around the state.

 

PREVENTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY: The Whitmer Administration will support legislation that makes the following reforms to improve transparency and accountability in investigations:

  • Require independent investigations of all shootings and use of force that resulted in the death of unarmed civilians at the hands of law enforcement.

 

QUOTES FROM LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT:

 

“Law enforcement derives its authority from the public who entrusts us to protect and serve them, and I am fully committed to working with Governor Whitmer and her administration to increase accountability and improve transparency in order to build community support and trust.”

  • Colonel Joe Gasper, Director of the Michigan State Police

 

“The MLBC stands with Gov. Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Gilchrist and the administration on this next step in addressing the issues of police brutality and accountability. As members of the Senate and House we continue to work on bicameral legislation to place these and other reforms into statute and look forward to continued collaboration with her, the community and the departments.”

  • Senator Marshall Bullock, Chairman of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus

 

“These proposed reforms will continue to put Michigan ahead of the nation in setting standards for professional police conduct that leads to trust between police officers and the communities they serve. Good police officers accept accountability as they risk their lives everyday to protect Michigan’s citizens.”

  • Lt. Mark Young, President of the Detroit Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association and Vice President of the National Association of Police Organizations
84 Non-Profits Hurt By Pandemic To Share $9.7 Million

84 Non-Profits Hurt By Pandemic To Share $9.7 Million

by | Jun 29, 2020 | Uncategorized

84 Non-Profits Hurt By Pandemic To Share $9.7 Million From Oakland Together Community Response And Recovery Fund Nearly 500,000 Oakland County Residents To Benefit

Pontiac, Michigan – Eighty-four non-profit organizations whose services were severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis will share $9.7 million in grants from the Oakland Together Community Response and Recovery Fund, Oakland County Executive David Coulter said today.

The grants, which ranged from $4,000 to $500,000, will help the organizations restore vital services and programs for Oakland County residents such as food distribution, shelter, health care and financial assistance that were reduced or eliminated because of the pandemic. The program was administered in partnership with United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

“This geographically diverse collection of grants will go directly to front-line organizations that provide essential services and programming for nearly 500,000 Oakland County residents, especially during this unprecedented time,” Coulter said. “I’m grateful to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan for doing the administrative ‘heavy lifting’ to move this program along quickly and efficiently and the county Board of Commissioners for funding the program.”

Grant recipients include Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit, Forgotten Harvest; Easterseals Michigan, Community Housing Network, Pontiac Community Foundation, Arab American and Chaldean Council, Gleaners Community Food Bank, Lighthouse of Michigan, Centro Multicultural La Familia, Micah 6 Community, Oakland Family Services and Grace Centers of Hope. The complete list of grant recipients is found at www.oakgov.com/covid/grants.

Coulter praised the oversite panel of county Commissioners Adam Kochenderfer, Angela Powell and Helaine Zack, who reviewed and approved the grant applications and recommendations.

“A program of this size and scope does not happen without support from many people,” Coulter said. “I appreciate the fine work of Commissioners Kochenderfer, Powell and Zack, who whose commitment will help countless Oakland County residents.”

Zack said the results from the partnership exceeded her expectations.

“Combined, the diverse representation of non-profits that will receive these grants service the entire geographic footprint of Oakland County,” Zack said. “I am proud of how quickly we were able to award funding so that these organizations may continue supporting our residents.”

Grant applicants had to be based in Oakland County or provide services to county residents and be a 501(c)(3) organization. Grants were to be used for costs incurred by Dec. 30, 2020 and ensure operational continuity and expansion to meet growing demand for support services in the county.

The grants will support community non-profits that have been negatively impacted by the shutdown and need assistance re-opening safely under new protocols established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state and the Oakland County Health Division. Highest priority was placed on organizations that support the basic needs of county residents, including food, housing, health care (including both physical and behavioral) or financial assistance.

Grants were awarded according to three funding tiers:

  • Operational Grants up to $50,000 for direct COVID-19 related expenses and to maintain existing operations during the pandemic.
  • Enhanced Operating Grants up to $100,000 for COVID-19 related expenses, those to comply with health orders and new protocols and seek funds to maintain and expand operations to meet growing demand.
  • Community Service Grants up to $500,000 to provide service to vulnerable populations and to combat secondary effects of the pandemic. The organization must have an annual operating budget of at least $5 million, reach clients throughout Oakland County, provide services to an expanded population and can demonstrate the ability to deploy the larger amount of funds requested within the spending period.

Funding priorities included:

  • Organizations on the frontlines of emergency assistance during the pandemic.
  • • Organizations that address critical needs or serve a vulnerable population.
  • Organizations providing economic support to individuals or families suffering from employment or business interruptions due to coronavirus-related business closures.
  • Direct assistance may include utilities, prescriptions, rent, virtual learning, understanding public health orders and safety protocols, financial counseling.
  • Organizations that have a long-standing track record in the community.
  • Organizations that have not received federal, state, county, foundation or philanthropic support sufficient to continue providing service in the community. There should be no duplicative funding for the same services provided.

The Community Response Recovery Fund is the latest initiative from Coulter and the board to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus on the economy, businesses, non-profits, communities, veterans and county residents. The funds are part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocation to the county from the federal government.

Coulter and the board have been aggressive in funding programs and services to help mitigate the economic effects of the pandemic to businesses, communities and veterans, devoting nearly $61 million to the cause and another $32 million awaits board approval.

The county also created and is distributing 10,000 “Oakland Together” COVID-19 safety kits which include facemasks, no-touch thermometers, gloves and sanitizer to give small businesses, faith-based and nonprofit organizations essential materials for reopening and customers confidence they will have a safe experience. The Department of Economic Development & Community Affairs produced another 5,000 kits because of the popularity of the kits.

A kit can be requested at https://forms.oakgov.com/151.

BUI and DUI – both are a bad decision

by | Jun 29, 2020 | Uncategorized

BUI and DUI – both are a bad decision

Contact: Lt. Tom Wanless, 517-284-6026
Agency: Natural Resources

June 25, 2020

conservation officers on boatDrunk driving – busted. Drunk boating – same thing. Whether you’re on the road or on the water, Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers want you to know that operating under the influence means serious consequences.

Michigan DNR conservation officers are participating in Operation Dry Water, a national safe boating campaign that promotes sober boating. Conservation officers will have an increased presence on the water during peak boating hours now until after the July 4 holiday weekend to ensure everyone is responsibly enjoying the water.

Last year, alcohol use was the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; in incidents where the primary cause was known, it was listed as the leading factor in 23% of deaths, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

“We want people to have a safe, fun holiday on the water and take sober boating seriously,” said Lt. Tom Wanless. “It’s just as easy to lose control of a vessel as it is a vehicle. Alcohol can affect you differently when spending time on the water and in the sun, increasing the likelihood of a boating accident or casualty. It might not even be a collision with another vessel – it could be a sharp, fast turn or hitting a wave that causes someone to fall off the vessel.” Operation Dry Water Michigan

In Michigan, a Boating Under the Influence (BUI) charge is a misdemeanor offense. A person is operating illegally when their blood alcohol content is .08 percent or above.

“The safest and most responsible way to boat is with a sober operator who has completed an approved boater safety education course,” Wanless said.

U.S. Coast Guard 2019 data says that 70% of boating deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction. Anyone born on or after July 1, 1996, must have a valid boater safety certificate to operate a motorized vessel in Michigan. People born on or after Dec. 31, 1978, must have a boater safety certificate to operate a personal watercraft (such as a SeaDoo or JetSki). The Michigan DNR offers boater safety education as an online course. Go to Michigan.gov/RecreationalSafety for more information.

Michigan conservation officers are fully commissioned state peace officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect residents by providing general law enforcement duties and lifesaving operations in the communities they serve.