Michigan to keep kids safer by embedding resource specialists

Michigan to keep kids safer by embedding resource specialists

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Press Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 14, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, WheatonB@michigan.gov

Michigan to keep kids safer by embedding family resource specialists with child protection staff to connect Michiganders to resources
Risk of maltreatment drops as families have greater access to food, childcare aid

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will keep children at risk of neglect safer by making sure their parents are connected to department programs that can meet their basic needs.

MDHHS is announcing the Family Impact Teams project, which embeds family resource specialists with child protection and foster care staff to so they can support families in applying for benefits such as food assistance and Medicaid and connect them to other economic supports. The first phase of the project begins this month.

“Many families that come to the attention of the child protection system need help with providing their children with housing, food, health care coverage, quality childcare and other necessities so that they can be safe and healthy,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “Our family resource specialists can immediately connect them to the resources they need so their families can stay together safely. We must help families who love their children but struggle to meet their needs due to economic instability.”

Family Impact Teams are part of MDHHS’s Keep Kids Safe Action Agenda, the department’s ongoing efforts to improve the safety and well-being of Michigan children.

Family resource specialists will engage with families face-to-face, determine their eligibility for assistance programs offered by MDHHS, and refer them to other local agencies that can provide them with resources to meet the families’ needs.

“One of MDHHS’s top priorities is to remove barriers to family success,” said Lewis Roubal, chief deputy director for opportunity. “Providing additional supports to the families of at-risk children will keep them safer.”

The first phase of the project is in the following counties: Allegan, Barry, Chippewa, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Luce, Mackinac, Oakland, Sanilac, St. Clair and Wayne. The second phase of the project will roll out statewide throughout 2024.

There are 19 Family Impact Teams family resource specialists who are currently being trained.

“When family resources specialists visit parents along with Children’s Protective Services or foster care staff, we will provide positive support to families in need by ensuring they have access to economic resources which will help to remove financial barriers. Working with Children’s Services staff, we can provide families the support they need to remain together or the support they need for reunification,” said Amethia Sellers, who will be one of the new embedded specialists in Wayne County. “Having been a part of the foster care system as a child, I had an amazing social work team who made a difference in my life and I too want to have that same impact in the lives of others who are experiencing barriers within their lives.”

Sellers has worked for the department as an eligibility specialist for more than three years. She applied for the new position because she is excited to work with families in children services and has a background servicing children in foster care.

The Family Impact Teams approach strengthens collaboration between MDHHS’s Economic Stability Administration – which provides public benefits such as food assistance and Medicaid – and its Children’s Services Administration, which protects children and provides services to their families.

Providing childcare subsidies decreases child neglect by 31%, according to a study by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, while referring homeless families to permanent housing decreases foster care placement by 50% and connecting families to food assistance decreases child maltreatment by 11%.

All Women Skydiving Team Returns for Annual Air Show

All Women Skydiving Team Returns for Annual Air Show

All Women Skydiving Team Returns as Headliner for the 36th Annual Open House & Air Show at Oakland County International Airport

Post Date:07/28/2023 9:01 AM

Misty Blues SkydiversWaterford Twp., Mich., – The Misty Blues, an all-women skydiving team, is returning to Oakland County International Airport (OCIA) to headline its 36th annual Open House & Air Show on Sunday, Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Waterford. Event admission and parking are free.

The air show runs from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early. Joining the Misty Blues will be professional aviators soaring above the crowd, executing aerobatics:

  • Skip Stewart piloting “Promethus the Flying Machine”
  • Stephen Covington piloting “The Raptor” Highly Modified Pitts
  • Galen Killam piloting RV-8 “Hammerhead”
  • Mike Vaknin piloting Extra 300L High Energy Monoplane

On the ground, the Yankee Air Museum will present historical exhibits on the aircraft and vehicles from WWI, WWII, and the Vietnam War, as well as the people who built and piloted them. The museum will offer hands-on activities including sitting in a real cockpit. Attendees can get a closer look at the McKinnon G21G Goose, which won the Experimental Aircraft Association’s 2022 Gold Lindy Award and was restored by Bloomfield resident Bob Redner.

For $45 per rider, attendees can board an airplane or helicopter for a ride through the skies, too.

Oakland County Parks will provide inflatable playscapes and face painting while Oakland County Health will host a health and safety fair with free emergency preparedness kits, lock boxes and more. Other vendors include the 99’ers, Civil Air Patrol, DCT Aviation, District 11-A2 Lions Club, Eastern Michigan University, FAA FAAST Team, Face Flair, Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan, IFL, Joe’s Army Navy, Masons Child ID Program, Maven at Midfield, Michigan Helicopters, Oak Management, Michigan Department of Health and Human Resources Foster Care Program, Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, Operation Good Cheer, Premier Jet, Royal Air Aviation, Tuskegee Airmen, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, Warbirds of Glory, Waterford Fire/EMS and Police Departments, Waterford Senior Center, and Western Michigan University College of Aviation.

Sponsoring the 36th Annual Open House & Air Show are Ajax Paving; Williams International; Vibe Credit Union; M1 Concourse; Crosswinds Aviation; Pentastar Aviation; LL Johns & Associates; Corporate Eagle; Mead & Hunt; Kris Haase, DPM; White Pine Helicopters; and Oxus America.

OCIA is located at 6500 Patterson Parkway in Waterford Twp. For information, visit oakgov.com/community/airports/open-house-air-show or facebook.com/OakGovAirport.

CNBC Ranks Michigan a Top 10 State for Business

CNBC Ranks Michigan a Top 10 State for Business

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 12, 2023

Contact: [email protected]

 

ICYMI: This Just In: CNBC Ranks Michigan a Top 10 State for Business

Governor Whitmer celebrates as Michigan climbs in national economic competitiveness ranking, building on strong job growth, advanced manufacturing leadership, low cost of doing business & living

 

LANSING, Mich. — Yesterday, CNBC released their rankings of America’s Top States for Business in 2023. Michigan cracked the top 10 for only the second time since the list was launched, powered by strong job growth, advanced manufacturing leadership, and a low cost of doing business and living.

 

“Michigan is on the move and more and more people are starting to notice,” said Governor Whitmer. “I am proud that our hardworking people, innovative businesses, resilient communities, and strong protections for fundamental rights have made Michigan a top ten state for business. This is validation of what we are seeing in our communities—new manufacturing plants, housing developments, community revitalization projects, and so much more. Businesses are relocating and expanding in Michigan as we continue leading the future of advanced manufacturing, standing up for people’s rights, and making bipartisan investments in the kitchen-table issues that ensure anyone can ‘make it’ in Michigan. Let’s keep our foot on the accelerator so we can climb even higher.”

 

“As Team Michigan, we are proud that our efforts to grow the state’s thriving economy have been recognized with a Top 10 ranking in CNBC’s Top States for Business list,” said MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer, Jr. “While encouraged, we know that our work continues. To position Michigan in the top spot, we remain resolutely committed to working alongside Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature, as well as our regional and industry partners, to build on our momentum over the last two years and ensure all Michiganders across our two peninsulas know that they can Make it in Michigan.”

 

Reasoning Behind Ranking Michigan as a Top 10 State for Business

CNBC lists several criteria they use to determine a state’s ranking. This includes “ten broad categories of competitiveness” and “86 metrics.” These are broad categories businesses use when making site selection decisions and states invest in to lower costs and improve quality of life for residents and businesses alike.

 

Michigan comes in at 10th overall, while ranking higher in two categories and making strides in others, including:

  • 6th for cost of doing business, up from 9th last year.
  • 7th for cost of living, up from 12th last year.
  • 12th for technology and innovation, up from 15th last year.
  • 15th for business friendliness, up from 20th last year.

 

  • The unemployment rate dropped to 3.7% in May, continuing to inch down towards the all-time recorded low of 3.2% in February 2000.
  • Since the mid-1970s, Michigan’s unemployment rate only fell below 4.0% during three periods: periodically from 1998-2000, from November 2019 to March 2020, and now, from April 2023-present.
  • The state recorded 4,440,000 payroll jobs, an increase of 15,000 over the month and 82,000 over the year.
  • Labor force participation rate climbed to 60.5 percent this month, the highest since July 2020.

 

A Bipartisan Budget to ‘Make it in Michigan’

A few weeks ago, the Michigan Legislature passed a balanced, bipartisan budget to lower costs, continue growing Michigan’s economy, and deliver on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to families. There were several investments in the budget powering ‘Make it in Michigan,’ a comprehensive strategy for economic development that focuses on 1) winning projects, 2) investing in people, and 3) revitalizing places. Here’s a breakdown on the investments secured in the budget to continue growing Michigan’s economy:

 

Projects

  • $500 million for the Make it in Michigan Fund to continue competing with other states and nations to bring home advanced manufacturing projects.
  • $350 million for the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund to win federal resources from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Sciences Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act.
  • Michigan is set to receive over $1.5 billion (4th highest in the nation) through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to expand high-speed internet access to over 200,000 Michiganders in unserved and underserved areas across the state.

 

People

  • Taking the first steps towards offering Pre-K for All with a $72.6 million of the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) free preschool program for up to 5,600 kids. $230 million to expand GSRP to 5 days a week and open new classrooms.
  • $70 million to temporarily lower the age for Michigan Reconnect—tuition-free associate degrees or skills training—from 25 to 21, expanding eligibility to 350,000 people.
  • Funding the recently established Growing Michigan Together Council so they can focus on growing our population and economy while protecting our natural resources.

 

Places

  • $50 million in sustainable, recurring funding for the Housing and Community Development Fund to build thousands of housing units, house thousands of families, and support thousands of jobs. Builds on $150 million investment in the fund earlier this year.
  • $50 million in sustainable, recurring funding for Revitalization and Placemaking Grants, used to make communities more attractive places to live and work by building housing, parks, and beautifying other places. This builds on $100 million investment in the program earlier this year.
  • A 5% increase in revenue sharing to help counties, cities, villages, and townships improve quality of life for residents. Additional, dedicated funds for local public safety initiatives.

 

Honoring Student Artists in the 7th District

Honoring Student Artists in the 7th District

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Last week was one of our favorite events of the year: the reception and awards ceremony for the Congressional High School Art Competition. Every spring, we solicit entries from students who either live or attend high school in the district. They are able to submit paintings, drawings, photography, even digital art, and it’s judged by a panel of professional artists and art educators who decide the top five.

This year, we received entries from 63 students at 19 different high schools across the 7th District, and the judges really had their work cut out for them! All the artwork was on display at MSUFCU headquarters, where families, friends, teachers, and community members were able to stroll through and appreciate how talented these student artists are.

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After evaluating the record number of entries, this year’s judges selected “Homestyle,” by Okemos High School student Emma Li, as the winning piece. The oil painting depicts Emma’s grandfather cooking in his kitchen, as seen through the doorway of the home.

The judges and Congresswoman Slotkin were struck by the attention to detail and maturity of execution in this piece, remarking that it was reminiscent of classical works. Li, a sophomore at Okemos High School, will attend a national reception this summer in Washington, D.C. along with all of the 2023 winning artists from across the country, and her piece will hang in the U.S. Capitol for the next year.

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Congresswoman Slotkin said she can’t wait to see Emma’s artwork on display, and offered her thanks and praise to all of the students who shared a piece of themselves through their artwork and this competition.

The judges also selected several honorable mention pieces. The second place piece, “The Lute,” by Hartland High School student Breanna Zaborowksi, will be showcased in the Congresswoman’s Washington, D.C. office, while the third place piece, “Friendship” by Brighton High School student Caitlyn McKenzie, will hang in her Lansing district office. The pieces selected as 4th and 5th place will hang in the visitors’ area of her district office. The 4th place piece is “Growth” by Janelle Ostrowski of Lansing Catholic High School, and the 5th place piece is “Time Out” by Seraphim Rose Prince from Everett High School in Lansing.

This year, the Congresswoman also awarded a special prize called the “Spirit of the 7th District,” and selected Lilliana Collins of Holt High School as the inaugural winner. Lilliana’s comic strip depicted the impact of the February 2023 mass shooting at Michigan State University, which her brother attends.

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Clockwise from top left: Breanna Zaborowski (2nd place, “The Lute”), Caitlyn McKenzie (artist not pictured, 3rd place “Friendship”), Janelle Ostrowski (4th place, “Growth”), Seraphim Rose Prince (5th place, “Time Out), Lilliana Collins (Spirit of the 7th District, “Spartan Strong”) 

The Congressional Art Competition has been in existence since 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of young people living in their districts. To date, nearly 700,000 students have participated in the competition.

If you have an artist in your house, we hope they’ll consider entering next year! Look for information here and on our website in early spring 2024. And if technology is more your speed, there’s always the Congressional App Challenge, which will be launching soon.

– Office of Rep. Elissa Slotkin

Whitmer Celebrates Impact of Student Debt Forgiveness

Whitmer Celebrates Impact of Student Debt Forgiveness

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 24, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Celebrates Impact of Student Debt Forgiveness on 1.4 Million Michiganders

Around 700,000 people will have their debt halved or forgiven entirely, keeping more money in their pockets, helping them pay the bills and invest in their future

 

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer celebrated the impact of the recent decision to forgive $10,000 in student loan debt on Michigan’s working families. Up to 50% of Michiganders with federal student debt could have their loans cut in half or forgiven entirely. The pause on payments for all borrowers has been extended through the end of the year.

 

“The decision to cancel $10,000 in student loan debt and $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients will make a real difference for 1.4 million Michiganders that have student loans, putting money back in their pockets,” said Governor Whitmer. “Nearly 700,000 Michiganders will have their debt cut in half or eliminated entirely, lifting a huge burden off their backs. People can use these savings to buy a home, start a business, get married, or start a family. I will work with anyone to keep lowering the cost of higher education and offering more paths for Michiganders to earn a higher education tuition-free, without going into debt in the first place.”

 

Reducing Debt for Michiganders

Michiganders earning less than $125,000 and married couples earning less than $250,000 will have $10,000 in student loan debt forgiven. Pell Grant recipients will have $20,000 in student debt forgiven. This decision will benefit up to 1.4 million Michiganders that have federal student loans. Today 30% of Michiganders with federal student loans, approximately 420,000 people, owe less than $10,000 and this opportunity would forgive all of their debt. Around 50% of Michiganders with federal student debt, approximately 700,000 people, owe less than $20,000, and their debt would be cut in half or forgiven entirely. Nearly 700,000 more Michiganders will receive important loan relief.

 

Additionally, the pause on student loan repayment, interest, and collections for all borrowers has been extended through December 31, 2022.

 

In tandem with the debt forgiveness, a new rule from the U.S. Department of Education will ensure that borrowers on income-based repayment plans will pay no more than 5% of their discretionary monthly income on student loans, down from 10%. This will cut out of pocket costs by half, saving Michiganders hundreds of dollars a month.

 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Background

This decision is in addition to federal opportunities for Michiganders to reduce their student loan debt. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) offers loan forgiveness to those who work in public service after 10 years of employment and on-time payments. As of June 2022, 6,120 Michiganders have had $358 million in loans forgiven under the PSLF. Over 148,000 more Michiganders may be eligible due to the recent PSLF waiver. Borrowers can apply by visiting studentaid.gov/pslf/.

 

Governor Whitmer’s Bipartisan Investments in Tuition-Free Higher Education

Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has worked across the aisle to make college more affordable by expanding tuition-free higher education and skills training for Michiganders over 25, future educators, and talented young students pursuing a degree at public Michigan universities.

 

She established and funded the bipartisan Michigan Reconnect program, which has put over 100,000 people on the path to tuition-free higher education or skills training. With the recent, bipartisan budget Governor Whitmer signed, Michigan funded $10,000 scholarships for 2,500 future Michigan educators every year and offered school districts funds for Grow Your Own Programs, helping districts train staff for teaching positions, tuition-free. She also expanded scholarships for young Michiganders pursuing higher education at one of the state’s public universities.