by Becky Andrus | May 24, 2022 | Regional News
PHOTOS: Lt. Governor Gilchrist Tours Rebuilding Michigan Project in Lansing
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II inspected the progress made on the I-69 Rebuilding Michigan Project in Lansing. This project is one of over 20 Rebuilding Michigan projects that invest a historic $3.5 Billion into Michigan’s Infrastructure – without raising taxes.
“I wanted to come visit the I-69 revitalization project in Clinton County to see how our administration’s investments in infrastructure are making a difference. We are investing approximately $65 million to rebuild I-69 from I-96 to Airport Road, reconstruct the interchanges at Francis and Airport roads, and perform preventative maintenance on 13 bridges,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Throughout Michigan, we are rebuilding roads and bridges using the right mix of materials to ensure that our roads are safe, create good-paying jobs, and support local economies and small businesses. Through the end of this year, we will have fixed over 16,000 lane miles of road and 1,200 bridges, directly supporting nearly 89,000 jobs.”
Project Profile: I-69 in Clinton and Eaton Counties
The I-69 revitalization project in Clinton County invests $73 million to rebuild I-69 from I-96 to Airport Road, reconstruct the interchanges at Francis and Airport roads and perform preventative maintenance on 13 bridges. This investment supports 927 jobs and revitalizes an important route for commuter, commercial, and tourism traffic.
Historic Infrastructure Investments
Governor Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist have already fixed over 13,000 lane miles of road and 903 bridges, supporting nearly 82,000 jobs. These and future repairs are made possible by two historic investments, the Rebuilding Michigan plan, a 5-year, $3.5 billion investment in our highways and bridges without an increase at the pump, and the bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan, the largest one-time investment in Michigan’s infrastructure in state history. These strategic investments in Michigan’s critical infrastructure ensures future Michiganders will have safe roadways and bridges to run errands, travel, and build a stronger economy.
Learn more about the Whitmer – Gilchrist Administrations historic infrastructure investments here.
by Becky Andrus | May 24, 2022 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Announces Michiganders to Receive Additional Assistance in May to Lower the Cost of Groceries
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced all Michigan families who are eligible for food assistance benefits will continue to receive at least an additional $95 monthly payment in May to help lower the cost of groceries and ensure Michiganders can keep more of their hard-earned money. The additional assistance will help approximately 1.36 million Michiganders in more than 700,000 households.
“Michiganders will continue to be able to put nutritious food on the table thanks to our ongoing partnership with the federal government,” said Governor Whitmer. “In addition to helping Michigan families lower their out-of-pocket food costs, this collaboration has helped us continue to grow our economy by returning federal dollars to Michigan. I will work with anyone to lower costs for Michiganders and get things done that make a real difference in their lives.”
In April 2020, some Michigan residents began receiving additional food assistance under this program. In May 2021, all eligible households began getting extra monthly benefits. Federal approval is necessary every month.
Eligible clients who receive food assistance are seeing additional benefits on their Bridge Card from May 14-23. These benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance provided earlier in the month.
All households eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) receive an increase of at least $95 monthly, even if they are already receiving the maximum payment or are close to that amount. Households that received more than $95 to bring them to the maximum payment for their group size will continue to receive that larger amount.
Below are the maximum allowable benefits for SNAP customers based on their respective household size:
- One Person: $250
- Two Persons: $459
- Three Persons: $658
- Four Persons: $835
- Five Persons: $992
- Six Persons: $1,190
- Seven Persons: $1,316
- Eight Persons: $1,504
Secured by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow as Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, the federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges or calling a consumer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.
Customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Spanish and Arabic service is available. If you are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing or speech-impaired, call the Michigan Relay Center at 7-1-1.
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by Becky Andrus | May 24, 2022 | Health and Wellness
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2022
CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, WheatonB@michigan.gov
MDHHS seeks proposals to help victims of child abuse
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Division of Victim Services is seeking proposals from organizations that can provide services to victims of child abuse.
The focus of the Children’s Advocacy Center Victims of Crime Act proposals is to enhance or expand services offered by organizations with a demonstrated history of providing services to victims of child abuse and their non-offending family members.
Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribes and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations – including faith-based organizations – that provide children’s advocacy center services.
Successful applicants are expected to provide the following core services to victims/survivors and their non-offending family members, as defined in the Comprehensive Services Guidelines for Children’s Advocacy Centers Funded by the Michigan Division of Victim Services:
- Forensic interview services.
- Information and referral.
- Personal advocacy/accompaniment.
- Emotional support and safety services.
- Criminal/civil justice system assistance.
- Systems change and coordination.
- Trauma-informed therapy.
- Specialized medical evaluation.
The award period is Oct. 1, 2022 through Sept. 30, 2023. MDHHS anticipates issuing up to 35 awards with a maximum of $1.5 million possible for a single award.
Grant applications for the Children’s Advocacy Center proposal must be submitted electronically through the EGrAMS program by 3 p.m. July 12, 2022.
For more information or to apply, visit the EGrAMS website and select the “About EGrAMS” link in the left panel to access the “Competitive Application Instructions” training manual. The complete request for proposals can be accessed under the “Current Grants” section under the “Bureau of Community Services” link and by selecting the “CACV-2023” grant program. |
by Becky Andrus | May 23, 2022 | Regional News
Oakland County’s COVID-19 Response Receives National Recognition
The National Association of Counties (NACo) recognized Oakland County with 11 Achievement Awards.
- Four of the awards focused on pandemic response, including the county’s school nurse program and COVID-19 vaccine public education campaign.
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County has captured 11 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for 2022, including four for Oakland County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
NACo recognized Oakland County for its:
- 2020-2021 Oakland Together School Nurse Initiative, where the Oakland County Health Division hired public health nurses to serve in local school districts to address COVID-19-related concerns
- Save Your Spot online COVID-19 vaccine scheduler for residents to indicate their interest in getting vaccinated with more than 600,000 registrations
- One-by-One multi-faceted public education campaign that encouraged hope and confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Distribution plan which helped get PPE to thousands of first responders and front-line workers who responded daily to residents in the county’s 62 cities, villages and townships.
“From the first case of COVID-19 in March of 2020, through today, Oakland County has prioritized the health and safety of its residents,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “I’m so proud of our employees for being recognized for their passion, creativity and dedication to not only the response to COVID, but also ensuring that our residents have access to efficient and quality services and programs.”
To view all of Oakland County’s awards, click here and type Oakland County in the search bar.
“All across the country, counties are working tirelessly to support residents and drive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” NACo President Larry Johnson said. “This year’s Achievement Award-winning programs showcase how counties work every day to build healthy, safe and thriving communities.”
Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include: children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.
Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program is designed to recognize county government innovations. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received. NACo unites America’s 3,069 county governments. Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county government and exercise exemplary leadership in public service. Learn more at naco.org.
by Becky Andrus | May 23, 2022 | Scouting
Scouts honor new commodore for Sea Scouting
Brandon Kathman | District Executive
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Michigan Crossroads Council
The Boy Scouts of America honored local volunteer Wayne Hastings with the National Sea Scout Award in a virtual ceremony on May 21, commending him for his work with young people.
Hastings has also been appointed commodore of the Sea Scouting program in National Service Territory 9, which spans Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Sea Scouting, while founded on the same core principles as traditional Scouting, places particular emphasis on boating and water-based activities.
“I have a real love for sailing and a real love of Scouting, and this is where they come together,” Hastings said.
A member of the Port Huron Yacht Club, Hastings volunteers with local Sea Scout Ship 109. In addition to nautical know-how, Hastings said he enjoys teaching youth leadership skills, which they will use throughout their lives. Ship 109 meets several times each month, and occasionally the youth help crew racing vessels during the club’s regattas
“It’s a different program, but all the Scouting values are the same,” Hastings said. “Being safe on the water is a lifelong skill living in Michigan. Knowing how to be safe on the water can save your child’s life or equip them to save someone else’s life.”
An Eagle Scout himself, Hastings grew up in Nebraska and was never exposed to the Sea Scouts as a youth. After learning about the program through friends at the yacht club, Hastings accepted a position as unit commissioner for ships in the Blue Water District, which covers the Thumb’s eastern coastline.
“Wayne is a fantastic volunteer and ambassador for the Scouting movement,” Christa Warner, executive for the Blue Water District, said. “We are so lucky to have him, and we are proud of all he has achieved.”
Eventually, Hastings became involved with the National Sea Scout Committee and helped to found new ships. He also serves as assistant council commissioner for the Michigan Crossroads Council.
“Now that I’m retired, Scouting is my full-time hobby,” Hastings said.
To learn more about the local Sea Scout program or other opportunities in Scouting, contact the district office at (810) 841-5568.
