MDHHS launches streamlined renewal forms

by | Sep 2, 2020 | Uncategorized

MDHHS banner with logo no names

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 2, 2020 

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS launches streamlined renewal forms making it simpler to keep
critical benefits during COVID-19  

Project Re:New improves client experience across four largest assistance programs
as more families and individuals need help

LANSING, Mich. – The benefits renewal process is now simpler for roughly two million food, health care, child care and cash assistance clients with the rollout of new, streamlined benefits renewal forms, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today. Now, Michigan is the first state to have this kind of streamlined application and renewal in print and online.

 

Project Re:New, a collaboration between MDHHS and Detroit-based Civilla, began in 2018 and spans the department’s four largest assistance programs. The changes will help MDHHS serve Michigan residents and families better and faster during the COVID-19 pandemic – a crisis that has left federal agencies and some state governments struggling to reduce application or renewal backlogs, and handle more hotline traffic across assistance programs that are a temporary lifeline for many residents.

 

“Life today is more stressful and complicated than ever. That’s why it’s as urgent as ever to simplify the way we deliver benefits – to treat people with dignity, meet them where they are, and take as little as possible of their time,” said Robert Gordon, director of MDHHS.

 

Project Re:New follows the 2018 launch of a simplified application that was also completed in collaboration with Civilla through an effort called Project Re:Form. Like the updated application, the new renewal forms feature human-centered design to emphasize urgent information and outline clear steps, deliver directions in plain language and, importantly, incorporate feedback from clients and caseworkers on their experiences completing or processing forms.

 

Instead of using a renewal form that includes questions that may not apply to an individual’s assistance program, clients will complete one core redetermination form, and a one- to two-page supplemental form specific to each of their assistance programs.

 

Project Re:New also led to the simplification of the six-month review form, annual review form and online renewal option in MI Bridges, the state’s online assistance application and case management portal. Changes follow all existing eligibility and program requirements. The new renewal was piloted in MDHHS’ Madison Heights and Monroe offices. It resulted in:

  • 50 percent fewer offices visits, an important reduction that puts clients and MDHHS field office employees at lower risk of exposure to COVID-19.
  • A 96 percent completion rate, up from 73 percent.
  • 60 percent fewer errors, reducing delays in processing time and generating a higher renewal rate.

“In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, this work demonstrates MDHHS’ ongoing commitment to improving benefit delivery and designing services that better meet people’s needs,” said Lena Selzer, design director at Civilla. “The work was guided by the expertise of hundreds of Michigan residents and MDHHS field staff. It would not have been possible without them.”

 

Rollout began this month by mail, in person and online. It will continue gradually through next year as clients are due for renewal of benefits. Clients will receive forms and a reminder to renew sooner than usual to give them time to submit forms before their interview with field staff—another change aimed at further reducing processing delays.

 

Project Re:Form was recognized by Harvard University as one of the 2018 Innovations in American Government Award’s Top 25 Programs. It took one of the longest benefits applications in the nation and transformed it, cutting the amount of time clients spent filling out the form, reducing error rates and helping caseworkers process applications in less time.

MDHHS making change to COVID-19 reporting schedule

by | Sep 1, 2020 | Uncategorized

MDHHS making change to COVID-19 reporting schedule

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2020
Contact: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112

LANSING, MICH. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is making a change to the cadence for COVID-19 data posted to the Michigan.gov/coronavirus website.

Beginning Sunday, Sept. 6, data on cases, deaths and testing will be reported Monday – Saturday. Weekend data are often erratic and generally lower than other days due to reduced testing and lab staffing. With respect to policy matters, MDHHS focuses its review of trends on the number of reports for each date that individuals experienced the onset of symptoms and not the daily reported cases which represent the day test results were received. Onset date reporting is shown on the MI Safe Start Map as well the Daily Cases by Status report on the Michigan.gov/Coronavirus website and this reporting will not be affected by this change.

“At this time, reporting on Sunday rather than Monday is not critical to our understanding of the virus,” said MDHS Director Robert Gordon. “This change will allow staff who have not had a real day off since February to get some relief and allow the department to prioritize more valuable data reporting, including school outbreak information.”

Sunday and Monday data will both be reported on Mondays, including Labor Day. This change will not affect the department’s ability to provide onset date information for COVID-19 cases.

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

Invasive European frog-bit found in Mid-Michigan

Invasive European frog-bit found in Mid-Michigan

by | Sep 1, 2020 | Uncategorized

 
Sept. 1, 2020
Contact: Joanne Foreman, 517-284-5814

Invasive European frog-bit found in Mid-Michigan

Boaters, waterfowl hunters and anglers can help prevent further spread

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy recently confirmed the presence of European frog-bit, an aquatic invasive plant, in four lakes within the Waterloo Recreation Area in Jackson and Washtenaw counties and one impoundment in the Dansville State Game Area in Ingham County.

Aquatic invasive species have the potential to harm Michigan’s environment, economy and human health. European frog-bit, which resembles a miniature water lily with leaves about the size of a quarter, can form dense mats on the surface of slow-moving waters like bayous, backwaters and wetlands. These mats can impede boat traffic and alter food and habitat for ducks and fish.

Spreading across Michigan

European frog-bit was first detected in southeast Michigan in 1996 and has since spread along the coastal areas of lakes Erie and Huron up to the eastern Upper Peninsula.

A European frog-bit plant with a small, white flowerIn 2016, the plant was discovered in Reeds and Fisk lakes in East Grand Rapids. It was found in several small bodies of water in Oakland County in 2018 and in the Lower Grand River in Ottawa County and Pentwater Lake in Oceana County in 2019.

While waterfowl, currents and stream flow can spread the plant and its seeds, European frog-bit, like most invasive species, travels farther and faster by human movement. Plant parts and seeds can become attached to boat motors, trailers, decoys and other recreational gear in an infested body of water and be transferred unintentionally to another location.

What is being done

To date, EGLE staff has completed surveys of bodies of water in the Dansville State Game Area and Waterloo and Pinkney state recreations areas, as well as most lakes with public access in the area, finding no additional infestations.

A man in a canoe pulls European frog-bit plants from the waterAll visible frog-bit plants were successfully removed by hand from Mills Lake, but due to heavy infestations, Mud, Green and Winnewanna lakes and the Dansville State Game Area impoundment require more intensive response options that cannot be completed in 2020.

Survey and removal efforts are ongoing in West Michigan, where crews from the West Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) and the Gun Lake Tribe are working with EGLE to remove or treat infestations around heavily used boating access sites and to protect culturally and ecologically significant sites like wild rice beds in the Lower Grand River.

The Oakland County CISMA is continuing its survey of lakes and wetlands and has begun controlling the invasive plant in some infested areas.

What you can do

To prevent further spread of European frog-bit, boaters, waterfowl hunters and anglers should “Clean, Drain and Dry” boats, trailers and gear before moving them to a new location.

State law now requires boaters to do the following before transporting any watercraft over land:

  • Remove all drain plugs from bilges, ballast tanks and live wells.
  • Drain all water from live wells and bilges.
  • Ensure the watercraft, trailer and all conveyances are free of aquatic organisms, including plants.

If you spend time on or around the water, learn how to identify European frog-bit and report any sightings using the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network website at MISIN.MSU.edu or the MISIN downloadable app. When reporting, be sure to note the date, time and location of the sighting and take photos if possible.

Reports also can be made to EGLE’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program by email to [email protected] or by calling 517-284-5593.

To find out more about European frog-bit and other aquatic invasive species, visit Michigan.gov/Invasives.

Michigan’s Invasive Species Program is cooperatively implemented by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.

/Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

Frog-bit: European frog-bit resembles small water lilies, with white, three-petaled flowers visible between June and August.

Alwin: EGLE Aquatic Biologist Tom Alwin removes European frog-bit from a backwater area in Pentwater River State Game Area.

Dansville: Dense mats of European frog-bit were found in an impoundment at the Dansville State Game Area.

Illustration: European frog-bit is a free-floating aquatic plant with small (0.5 to 2.5-inch) leaves. Illustration courtesy of Bruce Kerr./
Oakland County To Allocate $28 Million To Help Schools

Oakland County To Allocate $28 Million To Help Schools

by | Sep 1, 2020 | Uncategorized

Oakland County To Allocate $28 Million To Help Schools With Unexpected Costs Preparing For Safe Return In COVID-19 World

Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County will allocate $28 million from its federal CARES Act funding to help county public and charter schools recover some of the unexpected costs they incurred preparing for in-school or remote student learning during the COVID 19 pandemic, County Executive David Coulter said today.

The funds, which the Oakland County Board of Commissioners is expected to approve at its September 3 meeting, will help school budgets that have been severely impacted with unanticipated expenditures directly related to the coronavirus and preparing for the school year to keep students, teachers and staff safe. Coulter announced the proposed funding during a news conference at Novi Middle School.

“Oakland County has been supporting all stakeholders during the pandemic – small businesses, non-profit organizations, our cities, villages and townships – and with the school year starting, it is crucial we do all we can to help our schools provide a safe environment in-school or virtually, and ensure districts get the support they need,” Coulter said. “We want parents and students to have confidence their school experience will be safe.”

Coulter was joined at the news conference by County Commissioner Gwen Markham of Novi, Dr. Steve Matthews, Novi Community School District superintendent; Dr. Amy Kruppe, Hazel Park Schools superintendent; Dr. Paul Salah, Huron Valley Schools superintendent; and Dr. Jamii Hitchcock, Oak Park Schools superintendent.

“I’m proud the Board of Commissioners is standing up to support our schools in this unprecedented time,” Markham said. “With budgets being stretched due to this unforeseen pandemic, it is a priority to ensure our schools are safe and they have the resources they need to provide a positive learning environment, whether it is virtual or in the classroom.”

Under the plan, the county’s 28 school districts and charter schools in the county can apply to recover unreimbursed expenses or anticipated expenses through December 31. Funds will be awarded based in part on need and the number of students, teachers and number of students who receive free or reduced-price lunches. Districts and charter schools must submit verifiable receipts for reimbursement.

Awards will be capped but the amount won’t be known until the requests are submitted.

A wide range of expenses are eligible and include costs such as: plexiglass, personal protection equipment, creation of safety protocols, no-touch thermometers, disinfectant, signage, costs to retrofit a classroom and remote technology.

With today’s allocation, the county has given $30 million in federal CARES Act funding to provide COVID-19 related assistance to Oakland County schools. In June, the Oakland County Health Division and Oakland Schools began collaborating on a $2 million COVID-19 school nurse initiative to give students, parents, school faculty and staff confidence they will be safe when school resumes.

The Oakland Together School Nurse Initiative, which has hired 63 nurses to work through December, is assisting schools with public health strategies and direction to prevent the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus. School nurses are providing communication, training, consultation and recommendations to school districts.

The program has three components, which include communication, training, consultation and recommendations. Nurses are meeting with individual districts to update them on COVID-19 activity in the community, provide prevention strategies for high-risk children and connect parents to additional resources as needed.

Student instruction includes social distancing strategies, hand washing, health screening and planning for what may come next in the pandemic. Other focus areas include:

  • Assist school districts in creating and implementing health screening protocols
  • Assist schools to identify and create sick/isolation rooms
  • Create educational messages on the importance of prevention and staying home when sick
  • Provide access to COVID-19 resources for students, parents, teachers and staff