FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 23, 2020

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112

LANSING, Mich. – As long-term care facilities look to hire additional health care workers due to demands created by COVID-19, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) promotes the Connect to Care website where health professionals can quickly and easily find and apply for jobs.

The employment website matches job seekers in the health care field with licensed long-term care facilities that need to immediately hire for long- and short-term positions, including certified nursing assistants, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.

Long-term care facilities also need direct care workers – also known as personal care assistants, paid caregivers, home health aides, personal care aides and nursing assistants – to assist people who are sick, injured, living with physical or mental disabilities, or who cannot care for themselves.

“Long-term care facilities in Michigan faced significant staffing challenges prior to the pandemic,” said Dr. Alexis Travis, senior deputy director of the MDHHS Aging & Adult Services Agency “While we recognize there are often staffing challenges within nursing facilities, we know that support is needed now more than ever.”

Connect to Care Jobs allows licensed long-term care facilities to identify gaps in specific staffing needs they have on particular days. At the same time, health care professionals who are licensed and/or trained for the various roles needed by these facilities can register their availability and willingness to fill shifts.

To help address this need, MDHHS has partnered with ADvancing States, a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. Michigan’s departments of Labor and Economic Opportunity and Licensing and Regulatory Affairs also are partners in this project.

Visit ConnectToCareJobs.com. It’s easy, fast and free for job seekers to use.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

July 23, 2020

With employers across the state working to keep their employees, customers and communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Michigan has launched Michigan COVID-19 Safety Grant Program. These grants will provide small businesses matching funds of – up to $10,000 – to decrease the risk of COVID-19 spread through safety and health-related equipment purchased and training in response to COVID-19.

The initial grant application window will be open from Monday, July 27 through Friday, August 7, 2020, with awards given shortly thereafter. Grants received after August 7, 2020 will be held pending a potential second phase, if funds remain available.

“Employers continue to do their part to ensure workers, customers and communities are safe from COVID-19,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. “These grants will help make that job a bit easier, ensuring every Michigander returns home safe at the end of the day.”

Small businesses interested in applying must have fewer than 250 employees, provide a copy of their COVID-19 safety plan and description of how funds will help improve workplace safety for employees, customers and their communities. Additional information on grant funding can be found in the program brochure.

“These new grants support Michigan’s small businesses in efforts to protect Michiganders from coronavirus and keep our economy operating,” Michigan Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Jeff Donofrio said. “This is an extraordinary funding opportunity for Michigan employers to invest in measures that will help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces.”

Examples of how grant funding may be utilized:

• Purchasing engineering controls and other supplies/materials such as sneeze guards, physical barriers, face coverings and hand washing/hygiene stations.
• Purchasing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including gowns, gloves and eye protection.
• Training to educate employees about the spread and dangers of COVID-19.

To apply, businesses may complete the Michigan COVID-19 Safety Grant application.

Grants are provided through recent passage of SB 690 appropriation of federal CARES Act funding and will be awarded until grant funding is expended. This is a reimbursement program. Grant awards are limited to one per company.

Learn more about MIOSHA efforts to protect Michigan’s workforce during the pandemic and for information on the latest workplace safety guidance at Michigan.gov/COVIDWorkplaceSafety.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.