Landmark veterans bill on toxic exposure

by Becky Andrus | Jul 18, 2022 | Regional News

Hi there,

I have some incredible news for our veterans: last week, the House passed the historic Honoring Our PACT Act, which will finally address toxic exposure among service members. It now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to pass and be sent to the President’s desk.

You might remember a message from me a little while back celebrating the passage of this same bill in the House. The legislation had to return to our side of Congress due to a procedural issue, but is now back on track and on its way to becoming law.

Included in the package is my bipartisan Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act, which will help service members suffering from the effects of burn pit exposure get the specialized treatment they deserve.

When Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough recently made a visit to our district, he and I sat down with a few vets for a frank conversation on services and benefits. Burn pit exposure was one of their top concerns, and we got a lot of questions about the PACT Act.

Make no mistake – burn pits are the Agent Orange of the post-9/11 generation of vets, and before this bill becomes law, veterans have had to fight the VA and jump through a ton of hoops just to prove that their health issues might be connected to their exposure to burn pits in combat zones. My bill removes that burden, formally recognizing that those who served near burn pits were exposed to airborne hazards and toxins so that they can get proper care.

As an Army wife and someone who lived on a military base during three tours in Iraq where burn pits were used, this issue is personal for me, and it has been one of my top priorities in Congress. I first introduced the Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act over a year ago with my Republican colleague and fellow Michigander Rep. Peter Meijer, so this moment has been a long time coming. We’ve been working hard to get it over the finish line, and I can’t wait to see it signed into law this summer!

– Rep. Elissa Slotkin

MDOT public open houses July 26 and 28

by Becky Andrus | Jul 18, 2022 | Transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2022

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

MDOT public open houses July 26 and 28 to discuss the New Center Intermodal Facility (NCIF) in Detroit

Detroit, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is hosting a virtual and in-person open house on the upcoming New Center Intermodal Facility (NCIF) in Detroit. NCIF is a proposed project that would combine an intercity bus station with the existing Amtrak train station at M-1 (Woodward Avenue) and Baltimore Street in the New Center neighborhood of Detroit.

Who:
Interested residents
Community leaders
Local businesses
MDOT staff and consultants

Virtual open house:
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Click here to join the Zoom virtual open house
Join by phone
312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 849 6980 0747
Passcode: 174900

In-person open houses:
Thursday, July 28, 2022
8 – 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Fisher Building
3011 W Grand Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48202

Please note that I-94 will be closed, impacting access routes to the Fisher Building.

Accessibility:
Accommodations can be made for persons who require mobility, visual, hearing, written, or other assistance for participation. Large print materials, auxiliary aids or the services of interpreters, signers, or readers are available upon request. Please contact Orlando Curry at 517-241-7462 or complete Form 2658 for American Sign Language (ASL) located on the Title VI webpage: https://www.Michigan.gov/MDOT/Programs/Title-VI. Requests should be made at least five days prior to the meeting date. Reasonable efforts will be made to provide the requested accommodation or an effective alternative, but accommodations may not be guaranteed.

Project information:
The current Amtrak train station and Howard Street intercity bus station have become expensive to maintain due to their age and are not up to standards for accessibility and safety. The NCIF will establish a regional transportation hub providing multimodal access and convenient connectivity with a focus on meeting the needs of disadvantaged communities. It will provide high-quality passenger amenities and public space improvements to enhance the customer and pedestrian experience in the project area.

Public input:
MDOT is currently seeking public input to discuss how the NCIF best serve the community. The virtual open house will be recorded and posted on the project website along with an online survey to provide feedback. Comments can be submitted via an online comment form, e-mail, phone, and in person at the public meeting.

Monica Monsma
MDOT Environmental Services Section
425 West Ottawa St.
P.O. Box 30050
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-4381

Market Days seek to promote healthy eating

by Becky Andrus | Jul 14, 2022 | Health and Wellness

Market Days seek to promote healthy eating and food access in Oakland County

Pontiac, Michigan – The Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP) encourages residents to participate in their annual Family and Senior Market Days this summer. Residents with a State of Michigan Bridge/EBT card or who participate in Oakland County’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program will receive a $5 coupon to purchase produce from local farmers on Family Market Days, and residents 60 years and older will receive a $5 coupon on Senior Market Days. Coupons are distributed on a first come, first served basis, and must be used during the event. No registration is necessary.

“These events help connect residents with locally grown, fresh produce, while familiarizing them with farmers markets around the county,” said Calandra Green, Oakland County health officer. “They also offer free nutrition education and physical activity opportunities to help reinforce healthy behaviors.”

In addition to $5 coupons for produce, the events will include a variety of activities for families and seniors, including yoga, Oakland County Parks inflatables, raffles, and prizes. Various resources will also be on site, including breastfeeding support, WIC Project Fresh, and older adult health resources.

WIC Project Fresh coupons will also be available at Family Market Days for enrolled WIC clients. The Oakland County and Oak Park Farmers Markets also offer Double Up Food Bucks, which matches money spent at a farmers’ market using a Bridge card/EBT up to $20.

Family Market Days:

July 23, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Oakland County Farmers Market (2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford)

July 27, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Oak Park Farmers Market (Oak Park High School Parking Lot, 13701 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park)

Senior Market Days (age 60+ only):

August 24, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Oak Park Farmers Market (Oak Park High School Parking Lot, 13701 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park)

September 8, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Oakland County Farmers Market (2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford)

September 17, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Farmington Farmers Market (33113 Grand River Ave., Farmington)

The market days this year are made possible in part by Beaumont Health, Trinity Health, Humana, Genysis Credit Union, Henry Ford Health System.

For more information, visit www.oakgov.com/health, @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter, or contact Jessica Williams at [email protected] or (248) 563-7792.

Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP)

Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP) was launched by Oakland County Health Division in 2009 as a collaboration of local government, hospitals, health care providers, community-based organizations, business, and citizens working to increase and promote healthy eating and physical activity opportunities.

HOP currently has two teams dedicated to specific initiatives:

Farmers Market Team – Improve the health and well-being of Oakland County by supporting Farmers Markets.
Youth Team – Improve the health and well-being of Oakland County through programs in schools.

HOP began hosting Family Market Days in 2009 to engage entire families in healthy eating practices and encourage physical activity. The partnership expanded to include older adults in 2017 by hosting Senior Market Days.

For media inquiries only please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County media and communications officer, at 248-858-1048.

Connect Residents to Advance Careers through Education

by Becky Andrus | Jul 14, 2022 | Regional News

Career and Education Navigators to Connect Residents with Financial and Other Support to Advance Careers through Education or Training

Team will help adults attain post-secondary degree or certification and build the region’s talent pipeline.
Career and education navigators will be embedded in communities throughout Oakland County.
Partners include Oakland County Michigan Works!, Oakland Community College, Oakland University, Lawrence Technological University, Baker College, Oakland Literacy Council and others.

Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County, in partnership with several regional educational institutions and community organizations, launched a new effort today to help Oakland County residents obtain a post-secondary degree or certification.

Career and education navigators will help individuals find paths to meaningful careers, get into and complete college or training programs, and reduce obstacles to education such as the cost of books, registration fees, and childcare options. To connect with a career and education navigator, call 1-888-559-4360 or click on www.oakgov.com/Oakland80.

“This program targets Oakland County adults to help them open the door to new or better career opportunities,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “We identified the resources needed to launch this program and hired people who are uniquely qualified to connect students with the help they need to launch a successful career.”

The career and education navigators are responsible for helping prospective students enter educational programs, including applying to post-secondary institutions, filing financial aid applications, accessing loan applications, transferring records, registering for classes, and helping tackle other barriers to success. Their work also includes intensive coaching and ongoing mentorship through graduation and beyond.

Career and Education Navigator Cal Talley said Oakland County residents who want to improve their career options, but may not be aware of the resources available, now have a partner in helping them achieve success.

“Oakland County’s career and education navigators are here to support you as you take the next steps in gaining your degree or credential,” he said. “From the application and enrollment process to student aid and support services like childcare, books, and transportation, our navigators will help you every step of the way in reaching your goals.”

The other career and education navigators and the communities in which they will be embedded are:

Team leader Tamara Myles
Jason Chapman in Troy
Rachel Dixon in Southfield
Carlton Elam in Waterford
Janice Fitzhugh based in Oak Park
Tonya Medlock in Pontiac
Paul Wierzbicki in Waterford

Talley is based in Novi. Navigator biographies accompany this press release in the press kit.

The career and education navigators will be located at the six Oakland County Michigan Works! Offices, Oakland Community College, Oakland University, the Oakland Literacy Council, and other partner sites around the county.

Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D., whose campus will host a career and education navigator, said higher education translates into opportunity for individuals, their families, and communities.

“A college degree provides a person with more career options, upward mobility and significantly more earning potential,” Hirsch Pescovitz said. “Higher education also has a direct and positive impact on the community, society, and economic development. The data is unequivocal – there’s a direct correlation between education, quality of life and the health of our citizens and our economy.”

The Career and education navigators, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, are aligned with Oakland80, Oakland County’s goal to achieve 80 percent of its residents obtaining a post-secondary degree or certification by 2030.

According to 2019 data from the Lumina Foundation, 59 percent of Oakland County’s 679,000 working adults already have an advanced degree. This outpaces the state of Michigan, which has a rate of 49 percent. The U.S. average of people with college degrees is 52 percent. Oakland County recognizes more needs to be done to improve the pipeline of skilled workers. According to recent southeast Michigan labor market data from Emsi, there were 2,736 job postings in advanced manufacturing, 595 in construction, 2,622 in health care and 6,530 in information technology.

WD-O80NavigatorBiosSheet-v2.pdf

Support-Services-Flyer.pdf

Education Budget Making Highest State Per-Pupil Investment

by Becky Andrus | Jul 14, 2022 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 14, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Gov. Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Education Budget Making Highest State Per-Pupil Investment Ever, Funding School Infrastructure, Teacher Recruitment

Historic budget will improve every kid’s in-class experience, build up school facilities, recruit and train skilled educators, boost on-campus mental health resources, shore up school safety

FLINT, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bipartisan education budget that will make the highest state per-student investment in Michigan history, invest half a billion dollars in school infrastructure, fund teacher recruitment, bolster school safety, expand mental health resources, and so much more.

“Every kid in every district deserves to feel safe and supported in school, and I am proud today to sign a historic, bipartisan education budget that will make game-changing investments to improve every student’s in-class experience,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “The budget makes the highest state per-student investment in Michigan history to help schools buy new textbooks, offer more personalized instruction, and bolster AP and honors classes. It also bolsters resources for special education, at-risk funding, and career and technical education while expanding slots in free after-school and preschool programs. Finally, to improve the on-campus experience, the budget invests a quarter of a billion dollars in school infrastructure to build or renovate everything from classrooms, computer labs, and libraries, and significantly expands teacher recruitment programs so we attract and train thousands of educators every year. This budget is proof of what is possible when we put our students first and stay focused on getting things done.”

“On behalf of MEA’s 120,000 members from across the state, we would like to thank Gov. Whitmer for listening to the voices of educators and taking our expertise to heart in developing this transformative education budget,” said Paula Herbart, President of the Michigan Education Association and a veteran teacher from Macomb County. “The governor’s new budget will help address serious challenges in our local schools, including the educator shortage, student mental health, and post-pandemic learning support. Every child deserves a quality education and an opportunity for success, and the governor’s budget will go a long way toward achieving that vital goal.”

“Gov. Whitmer has worked effectively with the legislature and came through for students and educators, this time with a strong budget that represents the largest per-pupil investment in our state’s history. The increase in support for at-risk and special education students is critical, as it will better position schools to set vulnerable kids up for success. The move to further invest in both career and technical education and colleges and universities also reaffirms the governor’s commitment to strengthening our economy and ensuring Michigan students have options for their future,” said David Hecker, President of the American Federation of Teachers Michigan.

“This year’s budget is going to pay huge dividends for our students now and into the future,” said Jason Messenger, Principal of Portage West Middle School and President of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals Board of Directors. “In addition to increasing funding for our students with the greatest need, the significant investments in mental health and school safety will help ensure that students are safe and supported at school so they can reach their potential. The funding for new teacher recruitment is an important step in building back our educator workforce so all Michigan students have access to the education professionals who support their learning. Thank you to Governor Whitmer and the legislature for passing a historic budget that invests in all students.”

Education Budget by the Numbers

$9,150 per-pupil funding for every kid, in every public school district, highest state amount ever.
$214 per-pupil mental health and school safety funding for every kid, in every public school district.
Additional funding to meet students’ individual needs for all of the nearly 200,000 special education and 710,000 at-risk students.
1,300 more free preschool slots in the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP).
$250 million for school infrastructure.
$10,000 in tuition for 2,500 future Michigan educators every year.

Education Budget Breakdown

The education budget can be divided into six key sections: students, mental health, learning supports, student safety, school infrastructure, and teacher recruitment.

1) Students

For our students, the highest state per-pupil funding in Michigan history—$9,150 for students in every district. Additional support for the nearly 200,000 special education students and 710,000 at-risk students in Michigan. An expansion of free preschool under the Great Start Readiness Program to 1,300 more kids. Expanding funding for career and technical education programs by 27%.

2) Mental Health

Dedicated mental health dollars for every student in every school. Increasing funding for teen centers, district mental health grants, and TRAILS, which offers training to school mental health professionals so they can better serve students with evidence-based services.

3) Learning Supports

An expansion of before and after-school programs to keep kids engaged. Funding for the MI Kids Back on Track, Governor Whitmer’s proposal to offer every kid in Michigan tutoring to help catch up and get on track for long-term success, and resources for districts to develop learning pods for academically at-risk and economically disadvantaged students.

4) Student Safety

Dedicated school safety dollars for every student in every school. Funds to hire more on-campus school resources officers, create an intervention system for at-risk students that brings together law enforcement, schools, and mental health professionals, and establish a school safety commission.

5) School Infrastructure

$250 million for school infrastructure. Resources to help schools build or refurbish classrooms, labs, and libraries. Funds to assess current state of school infrastructure, determine further funding.

6) Teacher Recruitment

Funding MI Future Educator Fellowships, which pay up to $10,000 in tuition for 2,500 future Michigan educators every year, $9,600 stipends a semester for student teachers, and Grow-Your-Own programs that help districts put support staff on no-cost paths to become educators. Additional funding for career and technical education educators and the Troops-to-Teachers program that connects veterans with mentor teachers as they work to become certified educators. Finally, a robust investment to guarantee retired teachers have a stable, secure retirement.

Education Bill Signing