Oakland County Launches Childcare Scholarship Program

Oakland County Launches Childcare Scholarship Program

by | Dec 15, 2021 | Regional News

Oakland County Launches Childcare Scholarship Program

​Waterford, Michigan – Eligible Oakland County residents who are working or enrolled in a qualified post-secondary education or credential program and are struggling to pay for childcare can now apply for a scholarship to help cover a portion of this expense.

The Oakland County Childcare Scholarship Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan, is being administered by Oakland County Michigan Works!  Each scholarship is worth $1,200 and will be available to the first 1,000 eligible families that apply at an Oakland County Michigan Works! service center.  The childcare services must be provided by a licensed childcare facility.

To apply for the Childcare Scholarship, go to https://forms.oakgov.com/194.

According to a study conducted by the Center for American Progress in September 2020, the average monthly cost for center-based childcare in Michigan had increased by 61 percent since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, to $1,251 per child.  Nationally, childcare costs have risen an average of 47 percent during this time.

“We know one of the greatest obstacles for people returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic is affordable childcare,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter.  “This scholarship program is designed to make it a little easier for struggling families to make sure their children are cared for by reliable licensed providers.”
Coulter added the childcare scholarship program helps support Oakland80, one of Oakland County’s key priorities – to have 80 percent of eligible county residents obtaining an advanced degree or credential by 2030.

Oakland County Michigan Works! service centers will determine whether an individual is eligible for the childcare scholarship.  Criteria include:

  • Oakland County resident
  • Returning to work or pursuing a post-secondary degree or credential
  • Impacted by COVID-19
  • Either 300 percent of the US Federal Poverty level or eligible for specific program support. In some cases, the individual must also be housing insecure, food insecure or unemployed.

“Oakland County families have been through a lot during the past year,” said Jennifer Llewellyn, director, Oakland County Michigan Works!  “We know access to affordable childcare can be a challenge as we emerge from the pandemic.  The process for applying for the scholarship is easy and our team will help you gather all of the necessary information for submitting.”

For more information on the Oakland County Childcare Scholarship program, visit www.oaklandcountymiworks.com.

Oakland County Michigan Works! operates service centers in Novi, Oak Park, Pontiac, Southfield, Troy and Waterford. Combined, they assist more than 105,000 job seekers annually. Services include career coaching, interviewing and job search workshops, placement assistance, training courses and job trend information.

The service centers also assist more than 3,000 employers seeking assistance with talent recruitment, apprenticeship programs, job fairs, candidate pre-screening, hiring and training support, layoff support and labor market data.

Service center staffs remain available by appointment to work one-on-one with job seekers to build their resumes, prepare for job interviews and help address other needs. To schedule a meeting, call 1-248-858-5520 and select the office nearest to you. The service centers are hosting several virtual workshops for job seekers. A schedule can be found at www.OaklandCountyMIWorks.com.

MDHHS: Proposals for human trafficking programming

MDHHS: Proposals for human trafficking programming

by | Dec 14, 2021 | Health and Wellness

MDHHS banner with logo no names

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 14, 2021

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

MDHHS issues Requests for Proposals for

human trafficking programming expansion

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFPs) to provide services to expand and strengthen victim service programs for survivors of human sex and labor trafficking by building capacity in eligible organizations that have more limited experience in serving victims of human trafficking.

The Human Trafficking Victims Services Expansion Pilot Program RFP supports an increase in organizational capacity in the first award period, from March 1, 2022 through Sept. 30, 2022. In subsequent award periods, the grant supports a wide range of services to human sex and labor trafficking survivors.

This RFP is open to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, including faith-based organizations, that have at least one year of experience in delivering human trafficking victims services or working with human trafficking organizations in their communities. A total of $500,000, subject to continued availability of funding, will be awarded over a three-year period, with the first year focusing on increasing organizational capacity. In the first award period, MDHHS anticipates issuing up to three awards with a maximum of $55,555 per award, at a total of $166,665.

Funded applicants will receive ongoing technical assistance from the MDHHS project coordinator. Technical assistance will include help with program start-up, reporting requirements and barriers to program implementation.

Grant applications for the Human Trafficking Victims Services Expansion Pilot Program RFP must be submitted electronically through the EGrAMS program by 3 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2022.

For more information or to apply, visit the EGrAMS website and select “About EGrAMS” link in the left panel to access the “Competitive Application Instructions” training manual. The complete RFP can be accessed under the ‘Current Grants’ section under the “Bureau of Community Services” link and selecting the “HTEPP-2022” grant program.
Pfizer Booster Dose to Residents 16 Years and Older

Pfizer Booster Dose to Residents 16 Years and Older

by | Dec 14, 2021 | Regional News

Oakland County Health Division Offering Pfizer Booster Dose to Residents 16 Years and Older

​Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County Health Division is accepting appointments for residents 16 years old and up who would like to receive their Pfizer booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer booster dose in teens as young as 16 late last week. Go to oaklandcountyvaccine.com to view clinic options and times or contact the Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533.

In addition to community locations, Oakland County Health Division will continue to offer pediatric, first, second, third, and booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine at its North Oakland Health Center in Pontiac and South Oakland Health Center in Southfield through the end of December. Appointments remain available and strongly encouraged. The county will be closed December 24, 27, and 31 and Jan. 3 for the holidays.

As of December 10, 2,754 Oakland County residents 16-19 years old have received a booster or third dose. More than 41,000 of approximately 60,000 Oakland County residents in that age group have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 38,000 of whom have completed their primary series of doses.

Residents 18 years old and younger comprise more than one in five new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in Oakland County. As of December 9, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 26 ongoing school clusters and outbreaks in Oakland County schools with 92 cases as well as one new school cluster/outbreak with three cases.

AG Nessel Helps Save DTE Gas Customers

AG Nessel Helps Save DTE Gas Customers

by | Dec 13, 2021 | Regional News

Attorney General Dana Nessel

Media contact:
Lynsey Mukomel
517-599-2746

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, December 13, 2021

AG Nessel Helps Save DTE Gas Customers More Than $110 Million

LANSING – At its meeting last Thursday, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) released its final order in DTE Gas’ most recent rate case, No. U-20940, approving an $84,173,000 annual increase in DTE Gas’ rates. The increase is nearly $111 million less than the original request.

In February, DTE Gas requested a $195 million increase, so the Commission’s decision represents a $110,827,000 reduction. For the average residential customer, this will represent an overall increase of approximately 3.7%, or $3.18 per month when new rates go into effect January 1, 2022.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s intervention in the case on behalf of customers was pivotal to shaving off 57% of DTE Gas’s request. In her testimony and briefing, Nessel found that DTE Gas had a $19 million revenue deficiency, arguing against many of DTE Gas’s projections and expenses as unreasonable and not providing commensurate customer benefits.

In arriving at its final order, the MPSC relied upon many of Nessel’s analyses and arguments.

The order also directs DTE Gas to file additional information and support for areas of increased costs in future rate cases, again relying upon numerous discussions put forth by the Attorney General.

“As we head into winter, the season when so many Michiganders use natural gas to heat their homes, I am pleased to see an MPSC order that agrees with many of my concerns regarding the affordability of utility bills,” Nessel said. “Although it still represents a significant rise in customer rates, it keeps that increase to less than 4% while still providing DTE Gas with added revenue to continue to improve its infrastructure and customer experience.”

The Citizens Utility Board of Michigan (CUB) also joined Nessel in this latest advocacy.

“In its order the MPSC recognized the need to limit soaring rate increases and agreed with many of CUB and the AG’s criticisms of the request from DTE Gas,” CUB Executive Director Amy Bandyk said. “We hope that in future cases, both electric and natural gas, the Commission continues to scrutinize utility’s attempted rate hikes for the benefit of customers.”

DTE Gas, a subsidiary of DTE Energy, is headquartered in Detroit and serves approximately 1.2 million customers in Southeastern Michigan.

Since taking office, Nessel has saved Michigan consumers more than $1.3 billion by intervening in utility cases before the MPSC.

$400 Vehicle Refund Checks No Later Than May 9, 2022

by | Dec 13, 2021 | Regional News

Header 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 13, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Announces Auto Insurers to Issue $400 per Vehicle Refund Checks No Later Than May 9, 2022

State launches webpage to answer questions, provide guidance to consumers

 

LANSING, Mich. — At the direction of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) has issued a bulletin to Michigan’s insurers and launched a consumer FAQ page to inform insurers and consumers of the timeline and other requirements for Michigan’s upcoming $400 per vehicle auto insurance refunds. Last week, Governor Whitmer announced that all drivers would receive the $400 refunds as a result of the surplus in the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) fund.

 

“Michigan used to have the highest auto insurance rates in the nation, but we worked together to put Michiganders first, significantly lowering the cost of insurance and putting $400 per vehicle back in driver’s pockets while continuing to provide access to the most generous benefits in the nation,” said Governor Whitmer. “I am pleased with how quickly the plan was developed and appreciate the clear guidance provided both to insurers and consumers. The bulletin and website lay out the timeline and requirements so that insurers understand that they must process the refunds as quickly as possible, and Michiganders know when and how they will get the surplus money they are owed.”

 

“The Governor directed DIFS to take an active role in ensuring that refunds would be issued expeditiously to Michiganders who have paid into the fund for decades,” said Director Fox. “The DIFS bulletin ensures that consumers are protected and imposes a May 9, 2022 deadline for issuing refunds to all eligible drivers. Our goal is to make sure that this money makes it to the pockets of Michiganders as quickly and securely as possible.”

 

The MCCA refunds were made possible by the cost saving and fraud prevention provisions of the historic, bipartisan auto insurance reform signed into law by Governor Whitmer in 2019. The refund plan issued by the MCCA will result in $400 refunds sent to policyholders for every vehicle that was insured as of 11:59 p.m. on October 31, 2021. Surplus funds will be transferred by the MCCA to insurers by March 9, and the new DIFS bulletin directs insurers to issue refunds via check or ACH deposit to consumers as expeditiously as possible, but in no event no later than May 9, 2022.

 

In addition to issuing industry guidance, DIFS has also launched a consumer FAQ page at Michigan.gov/MCCArefund. The webpage contains important information and answers common questions about the refund timeline, eligibility requirements, and tells consumers what they can do if they have questions or concerns about their refunds.

 

Additional information about the auto insurance reform law, including the amnesty period that allows uninsured drivers to get penalty-free auto insurance if they apply for coverage before January 1, 2022, can be found at Michigan.gov/AutoInsurance. Frequently asked questions, tips for shopping for insurance, and an insurance locator to help find licensed agents are also available.

 

Consumers with questions or concerns about auto insurance can contact DIFS by calling Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 833-ASK-DIFS (833-275-3437) or by emailing autoinsurance@michigan.gov.

 

The mission of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is to ensure access to safe and secure insurance and financial services fundamental for the opportunity, security, and success of Michigan residents, while fostering economic growth and sustainability in both industries. In addition, the Department provides consumer protection, outreach, and financial literacy and education services to Michigan residents. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/DIFS or follow the Department on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.