by Becky Andrus | Apr 13, 2020 | Uncategorized
Prevention and Recovery Support in Oakland County
Auburn Hills, MI – April 10, 2020
With Governor Whitmer’s Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order and closure of Michigan businesses, community events and school buildings, The Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities (Alliance) has adapted quickly to provide online prevention and recovery support for all community members including our youth and persons in need of Narcan. See below for more information.
If you haven’t already done so, please connect with us through social media as we are constantly posting updates, wellness tips, events and resources. Also, our trainings are listed on our website calendar. Updates are constant. A new page on our website just launched with our online offerings.
Need a reason to get outside? Join us for our virtual 5k! More info here.
RECOVERY SUPPORT
Shatter the Stigma Family & Recovery Support Meetings:
FREE ONLINE NARCAN TRAININGS
Save A Life FREE Narcan Trainings are online now every Tuesday evening and Thursday afternoon starting Thursday, April 9.
RESOLVE
Components of RESOLVE will be shared during the Monday night Recovery support group listed above.
We do offer a full virtual RESOLVE program for adults and youth!
To participate in a dedicated online full experience, we are utilizing Google Classroom. Contact Angela Bogota for more information.
PREVENTION FOCUSED TRAININGS
Drawing on components from our Keep Them Safe, Keep Them Healthy program (KTSKTH), online meetings/trainings on Underage Drinking, Prescription Drug Misuse, Vaping/ENDS & Youth Marijuana Use presentations are available.
We will share and educate through Zoom meetings and webinars for all prevention programs. Contact us to schedule substance specific online trainings/presentations for your school, coalition and/or youth group.
YOUTH STRESS/ANXIETY REDUCTION
RENEWED: Learning to use mindfulness as a tool for dealing with stress, anxiety, and other difficult feelings.
If you have a more direct need for your own community connections, please contact the people responsible for those programs as listed below. We are happy to adapt to the needs of the school or community group.
Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities, founded in 2004, is a 21 coalition prevention partnership based in Oakland County and predominantly funded by Oakland Community Health Network. The Alliance also provides five Shatter the Stigma Support Groups throughout Oakland County and free Narcan trainings. Through substance abuse prevention, mental and physical wellness, and recovery support programs, the Alliance connects, strengthens, and mobilizes strategic partners to promote healthier communities. www.achcmi.org
by Becky Andrus | Apr 13, 2020 | Uncategorized
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– DNR News –
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| The following release, without photos, was issued earlier today by Michigan’s State Emergency Operations Center. The photos were added for DNR distribution. |
Apr. 10, 2020
Contact: Tobi Voigt, 517-898-6067
 LANSING, MICH. The Michigan History Center today announced a new collecting initiative that gives residents the opportunity to share stories that reflect their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, for the benefit of future generations. The COVID-19 pandemic is a critical moment in history, and the Michigan History Center is committed to documenting – through objects, archival materials, stories and experiences from diverse Michiganders – how the coronavirus is affecting Michigan residents in the workplace, at home, in communities and in many other settings.
The first phase of the three-phase collecting initiative is active right now. It offers a web-based platform for people to share and donate photos, videos and audio files that document their daily lives during this emergency – all of which will be considered for preservation in the Archives of Michigan’s collections. The following questions can provide a starting point in choosing what to share:
- How are you communicating with family, friends and colleagues?
- Have certain places become more important to you?
- What is something that has brought you unexpected joy?
- What steps have you taken to protect your health and the health of others?
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 “Archives and museums preserve and share the real stuff of the past, but we also have an obligation to collect and preserve the documents, images and objects that will help future residents understand our present,” said Sandra Clark, Michigan History Center director.
“There is no question that the coronavirus emergency that is so deeply affecting all our lives is a significant history-making time. That’s why the Michigan History Center is launching this collecting project now,” Clark said. “We hope, too, that the shared experiences will strengthen our state’s sense of community and reduce feelings of isolation.” |
Phase 2: 3D objects
The second phase is collecting three-dimensional objects and documents related to the coronavirus emergency for the Michigan History Museum system’s collections. In keeping with the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order, this phase will begin with a call to the public to help identify items and move to physically gathering them once it is safe to do so.
Phase 3: Interviews and stories
The third phase involves long-term collecting of stories, through oral history and StoryCorps interviews, memoirs and other materials that are created during the reflection period after an immediate crisis. These materials will be preserved in both the museum and archival collections.
Michigan residents can learn more about the initiative at Michigan.gov/MHCStories.
The Michigan History Center, part of the Department of Natural Resources, fosters curiosity, enjoyment and inspiration rooted in Michigan’s stories. Its 12 museums and historic sites and the Archives of Michigan provide opportunities for Michiganders to actively learn about and research their heritage and the history of Michigan through exhibits, special events, online resources and diverse programming. We base these experiences on Michigan’s museum and archival collections, which document the history of the state and its diverse peoples. We actively collect around Michigan’s continuing stories.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
/Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.
Family: State archivist Mark Harvey submitted this photo of (from left to right) his daughter Ana, wife Annie and daughter Ava wearing face masks they made.
Face masks: Tobi Voigt, Michigan History Center engagement director, sews face masks for a Lansing area informal network of sewers that distributes masks to hospitals, law enforcement, nursing homes, and other organizations and individuals working on the front lines./ |
| DNR COVID-19 RESPONSE: For details on affected DNR facilities and services, visit this webpage. Follow state actions and guidelines at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus. |
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by Becky Andrus | Apr 13, 2020 | Uncategorized
Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor Lives Lost Due to Coronavirus Pandemic
As of this order, the coronavirus has infected 22,783 and killed 1,281 people in Michigan.
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags lowered to half-staff throughout the state of Michigan indefinitely starting on April 10, 2020 to honor and mourn those who have lost their lives due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
“The coronavirus pandemic has had devastating impacts on families across our state,” Whitmer said. “I’m directing flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of those we have lost to this awful virus. The flags lowered will serve to remind us all that every life lost is a story and legacy of a loved one gone too soon.
“As we continue on, we will carry their memories. My deepest condolences to the families of those whose lives were tragically cut short by COVID-19.”
The State of Michigan recognizes and mourns the lives lost to the coronavirus by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.
To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.
A follow-up release will be sent when the flags are to be raised.
by Becky Andrus | Apr 13, 2020 | Uncategorized
Contact: Jason Moon, 517-282-0041
Self-Employed, Other Newly Eligible Workers Can Apply for Unemployment on Monday, $600 Federal Payments Also Begin
LANSING, MICH. – Michigan’s self-employed workers, gig workers, 1099-independent contractors and low-wage workers affected by COVID-19 can apply for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) beginning Monday, April 13 at 8AM. Under the federal CARES Act, workers on state unemployment have already begun receiving the set $600 federal weekly payment in addition to their state benefit amount. Michigan is one of the first states to begin sending the $600 payment.
“Ensuring Michiganders have access to state and federal benefits during this pandemic is a critical part in protecting everyone’s health and safety,” Governor Whitmer said. “We will do everything we can to continue providing emergency financial assistance as quickly as possible to the Michigan working families who have lost income as a result of COVID-19.”
Newly eligible workers who have yet to apply for unemployment benefits
Self-employed workers, gig workers, 1099-independent contractors and low-wage workers can apply for federal benefits beginning Monday, April 13 at 8AM online at Michigan.gov/UIA. Online is the fastest and easiest way to access these benefits. Workers need to use the UIA’s daily filing schedule based on their last names which can be found below. For example, last names beginning with letters A-L should start filing claims Monday.
Newly eligible workers who have been previously denied benefits
Self-employed workers, gig workers, 1099-independent contractors and low-wage workers who have previously applied for unemployment benefits and have been denied should login to their MiWAM account to complete the next steps for PUA federal benefits. These steps will also be emailed to workers. They should not file a new claim, as that may delay the time it takes to get their benefits.
All newly eligible workers will need to provide proof of income to receive the maximum amount they are entitled. This could include W-2s, 1099 tax forms, and pay stubs. These workers will begin receiving federal benefits as early as April 20 after their bi-weekly certification. Individuals on paid sick leave or other paid leave – and those who have the ability to telework with pay – are not eligible for PUA.
“We’re committed to making sure everyone who is eligible for unemployment assistance receives their benefits as quickly as possible,” Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Jeff Donofrio said. “Michigan is one of the first states to begin sending the additional $600 benefit to workers and our dedicated Unemployment Insurance Agency team is working tirelessly to provide emergency benefits during this crisis.”
$600 federal payments for workers already receiving state benefits
Workers already collecting state unemployment benefits have begun receiving the $600 federal set amount in addition to up to $362 they were previously eligible for. These payments are disbursed at the same time as their state benefits through direct deposit or debit card after their bi-weekly certification.
$600 federal payments for newly eligible workers
Eligible self-employed workers, gig workers, 1099-independent contractors, and low-wage workers will begin receiving their state benefit amount (paid with federal funds) and the $600 federal payment as early as April 20.
All eligible workers will receive benefits
The UIA assures every eligible worker in Michigan who applies for unemployment benefits that they will receive them. The UIA will be accepting claims and benefit applications back-dated to reflect the date on which the claimant was laid-off due to COVID-19, beyond the previously established 28-day period ($600 federal payment is only retroactive back to March 28).
The latest U.S. Dept of Labor report shows that since March 15, more than 800,000 Michigan workers filed for unemployment, a more than 5,000 percent increase over a three-week period. Michigan has seen a record number of claims for three consecutive weeks.
Online filing schedule at Michigan.gov/UIA
- Last names beginning with letters A-L: file claims on Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays.
- Last names beginning with letters M-Z: file claims on Sundays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays.
- Saturdays will be available for anyone to accommodate those who could not file during their allotted window.
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by Becky Andrus | Apr 9, 2020 | Uncategorized
Governor Whitmer Extends, Expands “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order to Save Lives
Governor directs all Michiganders to stay home, stay safe through April 30
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Whitmer signed executive order 2020-42, extending her prior “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order through the end of April. As with the prior order, Executive Order 2020-42 limits gatherings and travel and requires all workers who are not necessary to sustain or protect life to stay home. Executive Order 2020-42 also imposes more stringent limitations on stores to reduce foot traffic, slow the spread of the coronavirus, and save lives.
“Michigan has the third highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country, and we’re still on the upswing. We must continue to do everything we can to slow the spread and protect our families,” said Governor Whitmer. “Data shows that most Michiganders are doing their part by staying home and staying safe. That’s good, but we must keep it up. When we do, we can save lives and shorten the amount of time we’re working through this crisis, which will be good for our families and good for our economy in the long-run. We can also protect critical infrastructure workers like doctors, nurses, grocery store employees, and child care workers. Now more than ever, it’s crucial that people stay home and stay safe.”
“It’s clear that staying home is the most effective way we can slow the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan,” said Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Deputy for Health and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. “This aggressive action will help us protect more people and ease the strain on our health care system.”
Executive Order 2020-42 prohibits all businesses and operations from requiring workers to leave their homes, unless those workers are necessary to sustain or protect life or to conduct minimum basic operations. Businesses and operations are to designate the workers who meet those criteria, and must adopt social distancing practices and other mitigation measures to protect workers and patrons in the performance of that in-person work.
Workers who are necessary to sustain or protect life include those in health care and public health, law enforcement and public safety, grocery store workers, and more. For a full list of these critical infrastructure workers, click the link to Executive Order 2020-42 at the bottom of this page. To enable these critical workers to get to their workplaces, automobile dealerships will now be allowed to open for remote sales, though showrooms must remain closed.
Under the new order, all public and private gatherings among persons outside a single household remain temporarily prohibited. Though Michiganders may leave the house to get groceries or needed supplies, the new order encourages people to limit the number of household members running errands to the maximum extent possible. As before, people may engage in outdoor activities like walking, hiking, running, cycling, kayaking, canoeing, or any other recreational activity, consistent with remaining at least six feet from people from outside a person’s household and with other restrictions imposed by prior executive orders. The order clarifies, however, that travel for vacations or for any other purpose is prohibited.
A new section of the order imposes restrictions on stores in an effort to reduce crowds. Large stores must limit the number of people in the store at one time to no more than 4 customers for every 1,000 square feet of customer floor space; small stores must limit capacity to 25% of the total occupancy limits (including employees) under the fire codes. To regulate entry, stores must establish lines with markings for patrons to enable them to stand at least six feet apart from one another while waiting. Large stores must also close areas of the store that are dedicated to carpeting, flooring, furniture, garden centers, plant nurseries, or paint.
“This doesn’t mean everything will go back to normal on May 1,” Gov. Whitmer continued. “But based on the data we have right now, this is the appropriate window for an extension. It will take time to safely and responsibly re-open the economy, which is why we will continue to provide critical unemployment support and assistance to our small businesses during this challenging time. We will get through this if we all continue to do our part.”
All individuals who leave their home or place of residence must adhere to social distancing measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including remaining at least six feet from people from outside the individual’s household.
To view Executive Order 2020-42, click the link below:
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