900,000 Michigan children receive food assistance this summer

900,000 Michigan children receive food assistance this summer

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Press Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 3, 2024

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

Nearly 900,000 Michigan children to receive
food assistance benefits this summer
MDHHS offers first-time Summer EBT program

LANSING, Mich. – To help ensure children are able to access healthy food this summer while school is out, eligible families will soon receive $120 per child through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) new Michigan Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service has approved Michigan’s plan for the Summer EBT program to help low-income families feed children over the summer months. Created by the U.S. Congress, the Summer EBT program is based on similar efforts used during the coronavirus pandemic to address food insecurity for students. MDHHS and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) are working together to get these benefits to families across the state. Funds are being distributed ahead of the Friday, July 19 start date cited in the state’s plan.

“Summer should be a time when children can learn, grow and play without worrying about where their next meal will come from,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).  “I’m so proud that the Governor and the State Legislature have acted to make sure every Michigan child has access to healthy meals during the school year. My legislative victory is focused on making sure children have the same access to healthy meals in the summer regardless of where they live in Michigan. This is bringing us one step closer to ending childhood hunger.”

“Many Michigan children rely on breakfast and lunch provided at their school during the school year and we want to make sure they do not go hungry this summer while schools are on break,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “The Summer EBT program increases family’s grocery-buying budgets and we are thrilled to get this funding out earlier than planned. We plan to get these benefits out even earlier next year.”

Benefits will come in the form of EBT cards that families can use to buy groceries. Families who already have a Bridge card will have a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child, the standard benefit amount set by the USDA for the 2024 program year, added to their existing card. Those who don’t already have a card will be sent a pre-loaded card in the mail. Eligible families will receive a letter about the program.

“Providing nutritious meals to Michigan children – during the school year and during the summer – helps meet Goal 3 of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, to improve the health, safety and wellness of all learners,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “We need to support children nutritionally in the summer as we do in the school year, and this partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and MDHHS helps children and families.”

Most families eligible for these benefits will receive them automatically thanks to state agencies collaborating to identify kids who qualify based on their participation in other benefit programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or the free or reduced-price meal programs at their school.

A child is eligible for Summer EBT if they are:

  • Household participants, between the ages of 6 to 18, who receive Food Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Food Distribution Program on Indian reservations or eligible Medical Assistance households at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
  • Students of any age certified as eligible to receive free or reduced-priced lunch through the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program.
  • Approved through the Summer EBT application process.

Additional programs designed to feed children during the summer months include the MDE-administered program like the Summer Food Service Program, also known as Meet Up and Eat Up in Michigan, and the Rural Non-Congregate Summer Food Service Program.

For more information, visit the Summer EBT page on the MDHHS website.

Legislature to Put Money Back in Teachers’ Pockets 

Legislature to Put Money Back in Teachers’ Pockets 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

July 3, 2024

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer, Legislature to Put Money Back in Teachers’ Pockets in Budget

Recently passed FY 2025 budget supports educators with increase in pay for veteran teachers, continued student loan repayment, future educator fellowship, and stipends for student teachers

 

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Whitmer highlighted investments in the recently passed state budget to support educators—past, present, and future.

 

“This year’s budget will build on our historic efforts to invest in educators and ensure they have the resources they need to succeed,” said Governor Whitmer. “By raising pay, reducing debt, and supporting future teachers we are setting up Michigan schools for decades of success. Together, we will train, attract, and retain more skilled, talented educators to our schools, building on the historic investments we have made since I took office. I will always have our educators’ backs, and I look forward to continuing this work with my partners in the legislature and across Michigan.”

 

“Supporting our educators is one of the most important things we can do to ensure a brighter future for Michigan,” said Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “As a dad of three school-aged kids, I want them all to go to a classroom where they are taught by a skilled, qualified educator. This budget not only recognizes the hard work of our current teachers but also paves the way for the next generation of educators by making it more affordable to enter the profession. We are committed to creating an environment where educators can thrive and where every student has the opportunity to succeed.”

 

“We applaud Gov. Whitmer and Legislature’s fiscal responsibility in aggressively pre-funding the school employee retiree health system,” said Michigan Education Association President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County. “Now that the system is fully funded, educators from across Michigan — who have sacrificed 3% of their salaries for over a decade to shore up the retirement system — will receive much-needed financial relief, and local schools will receive a boost in per-pupil funding to help our students learn.”

 

A Better, More Affordable Education

Governor Whitmer remains a steadfast ally for students and teachers in Michigan’s school system. This budget marks the largest investment in education in our state’s history for the sixth year in a row. These investments include:

  • $181 million to recognize the crucial role high-quality, veteran teachers play to help their students succeed.
  • Continued support for the MI Future Educator Fellowship, a scholarship that lowers the cost of higher education for future teachers.
  • Continued payments for student teachers so they stay on the path to the classroom.
  • Continued student loan repayment for educators.
Whitmer Highlights Record Investment in Michigan State Parks  

Whitmer Highlights Record Investment in Michigan State Parks  

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

July 3, 2024

Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Highlights Record Investment in Michigan State Parks 

Powered by federal funding, Michigan parks thrive and outdoor recreation booms

 

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer highlighted that since she took office, Michigan has invested more than $780 million in parks and outdoor recreation facilities, supporting projects at 636 locations across the state. This record investment includes the bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan, which was the largest one-time investment in state and local parks in Michigan history made possible by the Biden-Harris administration’s American Rescue Plan.

 

“Since I took office, we have invested a record-breaking $780 million in our state parks, trails, and outdoor facilities,” said Governor Whitmer. “This funding supported upgrades at 636 sites across Michigan. The projects we funded increased accessibility, improved infrastructure, and supported local recreation businesses. We all love our state parks because they are the best, most beautiful parts of Michigan and integral to our economy. As we kick off another busy summer, I am excited to see how our investments improve the park experience for Michiganders and visitors. I hope everyone has a chance to get outside this summer, enjoy a state park, and explore Pure Michigan.”

 

Record Parks Investment

  • A big chunk of the $780 million investment in state parks was in the bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan signed into law by Governor Whitmer in 2022. The plan was funded directly by the Biden-Harris administration’s American Rescue Plan and helped strengthen our economy, increase tourism, and support thousands of small, outdoor recreation businesses.
  • Projects funded by this investment include allocations for a new state park in Flint, construction of wheelchair accessible infrastructure at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the Upper Peninsula, and improvements to recreation facilities including trails, boat launches, and harbors across the state.
  • The balanced, bipartisan 2024 state budget established the Nature Awaits program, which provides every Michigan fourth grader a free field trip to a state park.

 

The Outdoor Economy

  • Michigan’s state parks are critical to the state’s economy, as the $12.36 billion outdoor recreation industry supports nearly 119,000 jobs.
  • The outdoor recreation economy saw double digit growth in 2022 (the most recent year we have data) for the second year in a row.
  • Outdoor recreation also benefits local retailers, driving $4.1 billion of value and supporting more than 46,000 jobs.
  • In 2019, Governor Whitmer created the Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry within the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to support and grow the outdoor recreation economy.
July at the NOCC

July at the NOCC

Happy July!

In the newsletter below, we’ve got a brief recap of our Level Up Camp. Additionally, we have some information about how to get involved with the NOCC.

     Level Up Camp 2024 has come to a close! We had a great time with our campers and high school volunteers and are so grateful to Lake Orion Community Schools for allowing us to use Scripps Middle School for our camp. Throughout the camp weeks, we were able to talk to our campers about valuable life skills they’ll use throughout their middle school years and beyond, all while playing games and making friends

Thank you to Chief Ryan Allen and his amazing team at the Orion Township Fire Department for coming out and surprising our campers both weeks with a visit from the fire truck. The campers were so excited to run around in the spray!

If you’d like to see what we we were up to during camp, make sure to scroll to the bottom of this email for our camp photos!

     Want to stay up to date with all that the NOCC is doing? Make sure to follow us on our social media! We share posts about what we’re up to in the community, information about substances and mental health, and information about upcoming events. Check us out on Facebook and Instagram!

If you would like to support the mission of the North Oakland Community Coalition, you can do so by visiting our website at noccmi.org or clicking here to make a donation. Your contribution helps us as we plan events and bring substance and mental health programming to our community.

Keep fire safety front and center for Fourth of July holiday

Keep fire safety front and center for Fourth of July holiday

 
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DNR News

July 3, 2024
Contact: Paul Rogers, 616-260-8406

Keep fire safety front and center for Fourth of July holiday

A closeup of a campfire in a proper ring. Whether your Fourth of July plans include fireworks, camping, off-road vehicle riding or free time to work around the yard, take care to keep from sparking a wildfire.

“Nine out of 10 fires are caused by people, and we all need to be careful when we’re using fireworks or doing other outdoor activities,” said Paul Rogers, fire prevention specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Fire danger has been on the lower side this year due to regular rain, but that doesn’t mean there is no risk, especially with fireworks.

“Don’t shoot fireworks into the woods or tall grass, as you can easily start a fire that way,” Rogers said. “Also, it’s important to check local ordinances to make sure you respect your neighbors and use fireworks only on the holiday and adjacent days when they are allowed.”

Here are some other fire safety tips to keep in mind through the holiday and the weekend.

Fireworks

  • When using fireworks on a grassy area, dampen the area with water first and keep a hose and bucket nearby.
  • Soak spent sparklers and other fireworks in a bucket of water before disposing.
  • Do not use sky lanterns or aerial fireworks in state parks or recreation areas.

At camp

A woman demonstrates the correct way to douse a campfire with water to make sure it is out.

  • Build your fire in a fire ring on bare ground, away from trees or low-hanging tree branches.
  • When finished with your fire, douse it thoroughly with water, stir the ashes and douse again. Repeat until cool.
  • Watch for embers that can float out of a fire and ignite dry grass or leaves.

Debris burning

  • Make sure you have permission to burn (burn permit). Permits are not granted on days that are too hot, dry or windy.
  • Keep your fire small and manageable – no larger than 3 feet high and wide.
  • Keep a hose or water source nearby when burning.
  • Consider composting or recycling yard waste instead of burning.
  • Your fire should be at least 10 feet away from logs, stumps or debris.

Learn more about fire safety and burning at Michigan.gov/FireManagement.


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

  • Campfire: Make sure to build your campfire on bare, mineral soil, never grass. Use a fire ring or rocks to surround it.
  • Always put out your fire! When you’re finished with your campfire, make sure the embers are completely out. Drench the fire with water, stir the ashes and then drench it again until the embers feel cool.