State Agencies Help Protect Children from Firearm Injuries

State Agencies Help Protect Children from Firearm Injuries

by | Apr 16, 2024 | Health and Wellness

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2024

MDHHS CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected]
MSP CONTACT: Lori Dougovito, 517-281-9586, [email protected]

State Agencies Collaborate to Help Protect
Children from Unintentional Firearm Injuries
Free Gun Locks Available at MDHHS Offices Statewide

LANSING, MICH. – The Michigan State Police (MSP) and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today they are partnering together to protect children from unsecured firearms. Using $500,000 in state funding appropriated in the FY24 MSP budget, the MSP facilitated the purchase of 75,000 cable-style gun locks from Project ChildSafe that will be available for free at MDHHS county offices starting today and some local health departments while supplies last. All MDHHS offices should have gun locks available no later than June.

In 2020, firearms injuries became the number one cause of death for children in the United States and Michigan, surpassing motor vehicle deaths and those caused by other injuries.

“We are partnering with Michigan State Police, local MDHHS offices and our local health departments, to help prevent these tragedies and keep Michigan children and families safe from firearm violence,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “Our department is devoted to improving the safety and well-being of Michigan children, as outlined in our Keep Kids Safe Action Agenda, and actions such as implementing gun locks are going to make a difference when it comes to prevention efforts around firearm safety.”

Public Act 17 of 2023, which took effect Feb. 13, 2024, generally requires individuals to keep stored or unattended firearms unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it is known or reasonably should be known that a minor is, or is likely to be, present on the premises.

“Under Michigan’s newly enacted Safe Storage (Child Access Prevention) Law, individuals can be held criminally responsible for improperly storing or leaving unattended a firearm where a minor is present or likely to be present if the minor obtains the firearm,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “Because this law seeks to prevent injuries and deaths, we want to make safe storage as easy and accessible as possible so in addition to obtaining a gun lock from many police agencies, Michiganders can now also come into a MDHHS office to pick one up, no questions asked.”

Michigan residents can visit their local MDHHS office to request one of the free gun locks while supplies last, and they can also check with their local health department, some of which will have gun locks available. MDHHS staff who make home visits will also be able to access gun locks if a client has a need or wants to request one.

Free gun locks can also be obtained through Project ChildSafe police partners across the state.

Gun lock installation instructions are included within the product’s packaging and available on the Project ChildSafe website.

 

Gun lock event

The Michigan State Police (MSP) and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced they are partnering together to protect children from unsecured firearms through the distribution of free gun safety locks. Pictured are (l. to r.) from MDHHS, Lenier Holston, district manager; Elizabeth Hertel, director; Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive and from MSP, Nancy Becker Bennett, Grants and Community Services Division, division director; Col. James F. Grady II, director; and F/Lt. Michael Shaw, Communications and Outreach Division, PIO section commander.
MDOT launching public survey to collect travel data

MDOT launching public survey to collect travel data

by | Apr 16, 2024 | Transportation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2024

 

 MEDIA CONTACT
Michael Frezell
517-281-6519
[email protected]

MDOT launching public survey to collect travel data vital to
transportation planning in the state

Fast facts:

  • MDOT is launching a household travel survey, MI Travel Counts, this week.
  • Randomly selected households in Michigan will have the opportunity to participate via smartphone application, web or telephone.
  • Data collected from this survey will provide information on how travel behavior has changed over the past 10 years and inform forecasts to help shape Michigan’s transportation system.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is kicking off a household travel survey that will provide information necessary to set transportation priorities for the next 20 years. Starting April 15, randomly selected households across Michigan will have the opportunity to provide details regarding how they travel.

The survey, MI Travel Counts, will be conducted by nationally recognized research firm Resource Systems Group, Inc. (RSG) on behalf of MDOT. Survey results will help transportation planners better understand how, when, where, and why people travel in and around the state of Michigan. Last conducted in 2015, this update will help planners account for the many changes in travel that have occurred, like the prevalence of remote work, the increase in online shopping, and greater use of ridesharing and delivery services.

Randomly selected households will receive an invitation to participate in the survey via U.S. Mail. Upon accepting the invitation, household members will provide demographic data and then report their travel either via a smartphone application, online or by telephone. The information provided to MI Travel Counts will be anonymized and aggregated to calculate statistics for study purposes.

This survey will be conducted in three phases. The first is scheduled from April 15 through early June, with additional phases anticipated in spring 2025 and fall 2025.

Invited households will be selected at random across the state, with survey materials available in English, Spanish and Arabic. Participation is possible through smartphone application, web or telephone. For more information about MI Travel Counts, visit www.MITravelCounts.com.

About RSG:

RSG conducts research on behalf of public and private sector clients using software applications, smartphones, websites, surveys, computers, tablets, and other means of collecting data. They specialize in designing, implementing and applying sophisticated data-driven models with in-depth analytics to help clients understand why people and systems do what they do.

Oakland County Household Hazardous Waste Dropoff

Oakland County Household Hazardous Waste Dropoff

by | Apr 15, 2024 | Local News

Oakland County Household Hazardous Waste Dropoff Events Promote Environmental Stewardship and Safeguard Communities

Post Date:04/15/2024 12:14 PM
  • NoHaz events are scheduled for April 27, June 1, July 20, and Sept. 14. Registration opens approximately three weeks prior to each collection event at NoHaz.com.
  • Residents of NoHaz communities may dispose of their household hazardous waste for a nominal fee of $15 or $30, or at no charge, depending on their community.
  • More than 9 million pounds of household hazardous waste have been properly disposed of since the program’s inception in 2003.

Pontiac, Mich. – NoHaz, a consortium of communities in northern Oakland County for disposing household hazardous waste, has scheduled four collection events April through September, giving residents of these communities convenient opportunities to get rid of everything from outdated computers and dead batteries to paints, pesticides and more.

“Our NoHaz household hazardous waste collection events demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship and empower Oakland County residents to responsibly dispose of hazardous materials,” County Executive Dave Coulter said.

All 2024 NoHaz collection events run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following Saturdays:

  • April 27, Oakland County Service Center Campus, 1200 North Telegraph Road., Pontiac
  • June 1, Oxford Middle School, 1420 Lakeville Road, Oxford
  • July 20, Kensington Church, 4640 S. Lapeer Road, Orion Township
  • Sept. 14, Oakland County Service Center Campus, 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac

Registration opens approximately three weeks prior to each collection event at NoHaz.com. Those unable to register online will be able to complete forms at the collection events.

Akzo Nobel, a global company in Pontiac dedicated to sustainability, is sponsoring the NoHaz collection events. Their partnership helps ease rising costs for member communities and residents.

NoHaz member communities include Addison Township, Clarkston, Groveland Township, Independence Township, Lake Angelus, Lake Orion, Leonard, Oakland Township, Orion Township, Oxford Township, Oxford Village, Pontiac, Rose Township, Springfield Township and Waterford Township.

Residents of NoHaz member communities may dispose of their household hazardous waste for a nominal fee of $15 or $30, or at no charge, depending on their community. Any Oakland County resident who does not reside in a NoHaz community may dispose of acceptable materials at any collection event for a fee of $130. They may also contact their city, village, or township to ask if another program is available or click on this link to view a map of available household hazardous waste programs in the county.

With more than 9 million pounds of household hazardous waste properly disposed of since its inception in 2003, NoHaz is providing Oakland County residents with an opportunity to do the safe and responsible thing with their household hazardous waste.

For more information on NoHaz and disposing of household hazardous waste responsibly, click on NoHaz.com.

The NoHaz Consortium is a group of Oakland County communities that have come together to provide residents with a safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible way to dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW). These wastes are substances in a home that can be harmful to humans and the environment if not disposed of properly. Each year, NoHaz schedules collection events to provide disposal opportunities for residents of the member communities.

Alert to Business Owners Tax Scams May Target Them

Alert to Business Owners Tax Scams May Target Them

by | Apr 15, 2024 | Regional News

Nessel Email Header
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 15, 2024

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

AG Nessel Re-Issues Alert to Warn Medium and Small Business Owners That Tax Scams May Target Them

LANSING – Amid Financial Literacy Month, and on Tax Filing Day, it’s critical that small business owners are vigilant against tax scams by bad actors who are actively targeting entrepreneurs. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is re-issuing her alert, Tax Scams Targeting Small and Midsized Businesses, to underscore the importance of understanding and safeguarding small businesses against financial fraud.

Scammers are stepping up their attempts to deceive businesses through dishonest schemes, putting them in serious financial danger. These scams frequently use threats of legal action, fictitious tax bills, or promises of tax refunds to deceive unsuspecting business owners or their employees.

“Criminals who perpetrate tax scams against small and midsized businesses are not only defrauding hardworking entrepreneurs but also undermining the integrity of our tax system for financial gain,” said Nessel. “My department is committed to protecting all Michigan residents from bad actors. I encourage small business owners to remain vigilant against these fraudulent attempts by understanding the common scams that target their organizations during tax season.”

In her alert, AG Nessel outlines some of the tax-related scams perpetrated against small and midsized businesses.

  • Business-Related W-2 Scams – These scams happen when cybercriminals send phony emails or text messages to payroll and HR specialists, enticing them to divulge private tax information to gain access to workers’ W-2 Forms. These tactics put employees and company data at risk. According to the IRS, the communications can read something like this: “I am analyzing some reports and need a copy of your W-2s for last year. Please send ASAP.” Once the cybercriminals obtain the W-2s, they file fictitious tax forms in an attempt to get refunds. Companies should review their policies for sharing employee data and consider a two-person oversight process for approving employee data distribution.
  • Employer ID Number Scams – When companies apply for Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), they can be lured to fraudulent websites. EINs are free and can be obtained legitimately through IRS.gov. Any site that does not end with a .gov is not an official government website.
  • IRS Imposter Scams – This is the most frequently reported scam, which involves scammers claiming to be from the IRS, who place calls to individuals telling them they or their business owes taxes that must be paid urgently to avoid additional penalties or jail. The IRS will never contact you by text, phone, or email and demand immediate payment and will never ask for payment in the form of gift cards or through money apps.

The AG’s alert recommends businesses create a security protocol and train employees to recognize scams and government imposters.

If you believe your business has been the victim of an IRS scam:

The AG has also launched a Business Identity Theft iniatiaive, and travels the state to provide educational presentations to business groups and chambers to help create awareness about the different forms of identity theft that target small businesses. To inquire about upcoming presentations or to request that this information be delivered to your organization or group, contact the Department.

To file a complaint with the Attorney General, or get additional information, contact:

Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form

Your connection to consumer protection is just a click or phone call away. The Department provides a library of resources for consumers to review anytime on a variety of topics.
Families urged to get children caught up on vaccines

Families urged to get children caught up on vaccines

by | Apr 15, 2024 | Health and Wellness

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 15, 2024

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

Michigan families urged to get children caught up on vaccines in recognition of
National Infant Immunization Week

LANSING, Mich. – During National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) April 22-29, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) urges Michigan parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated on time for the best possible protection from serious diseases. Each year, NIIW focuses on the positive impact of vaccination on the lives of infants and children — and this year it’s a priority to ensure families stay on track for their children’s well-child visits and routinely recommended vaccinations. On-time vaccination is critical to help provide protection against potentially life-threatening diseases.

According to data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) as of Dec. 2023, only 66.4% of Michigan children 19 through 35 months of age were up to date on recommended vaccines.

“Now more than ever, it is important to make sure Michiganders, especially children, are up to date on all recommended immunizations,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Vaccine preventable diseases still exist, and they’re here in Michigan. Now is the time to get our little Michiganders caught up on vaccines and protect them from all preventable diseases.”

Vaccinating children on time according to the recommended childhood immunization schedule is the best protection against diseases like measles, hepatitis A, pertussis (whooping cough) and influenza. With the growing number of measles cases nationwide and around the globe now is a perfect time to make sure you and your family are protected.

NIIW highlights importance of protecting children two years and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases as part of World Immunization Week (WIW), a World Health Organization (WHO) initiative.

This week serves as a reminder about the importance of staying on track and ensuring infants are up to date on all recommended vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children stay on track with their well-child appointments and routine vaccinations.

Parents should talk to their child’s healthcare provider about what vaccines their child needs to stay protected. For more information about vaccines, parents can visit Ivaccinate.org.