MI receiving $109 million to address substance use disorder

MI receiving $109 million to address substance use disorder

by | Oct 16, 2024 | Health and Wellness

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 16, 2024

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, Sutfinl1@michigan.gov

Michigan receiving more than $109 million to address
substance use disorder over next three years

LANSING – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has received a nearly $36.4 million State Opioid Response grant for FY2024 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Over a three-year grant period Michigan is slated to receive more than $109 million in federal funding intended to address the overdose crisis.

“These federal funds help our state address the multi-generational impact of the opioid epidemic as well as well as the racial disparities that exist with substance use disorder,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “Programs focused on prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery are saving the lives of Michigan residents each and every day. We will use these dollars to continue investing in supports, improvements and enhancements that further our efforts to decrease substance use disorders, improve treatment options and improve recovery success.”

State Opioid Response funding will be used to increase access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) using the three FDA-approved medications; reduce unmet treatment needs; reduce overdose-related deaths through the provision of prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery activities for opioid use disorder (OUD) and stimulant use disorders (StUD); and improve the quality of treatment for StUD and OUD.

Agencies receiving funding under this grant include Michigan’s 10 Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan regions for publicly funded substance use disorder treatment services, the Inter-Tribal Council and Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, syringe service programs operating throughout Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Wayne State University and other state and local agencies providing substance use disorder services.

Key new and continuing projects include:

  • A “warmline” individuals can call to be connected to an MOUD prescriber.
  • Peer recovery coaching services for individuals enrolled in treatment and/or recovery programs, as well as support for peer recovery coaches in emergency departments, jails, parole and probation offices and shelters.
  • Evidence-based prevention programs for youth in schools and community settings.
  • Naloxone distribution and overdose education.
  • Treatment, case management and harm reduction education in tribal nations, as well as support for mothers and families impacted by neonatal abstinence syndrome.
  • Recovery Friendly Workplace training and designation for employers statewide.
  • Linkage to services by local community coalitions that work with health disparate populations.
  • Recovery housing overnight stays for individuals in need and certification of Michigan’s recovery homes according to the National Association for Recovery Residences standards.
  • The UNITED Michigan campaign aimed at combating the stigma of opioid use disorder and celebrating individuals in recovery.

Since 2018, Michigan has received $254 million in State Opioid Response funding to address substance use disorder across the state.

These funds are in addition to the nearly $1.6 billion from national opioid settlements Michigan is slated to receive by 2040, with half being distributed to the State of Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund and the other half being distributed directly to county, city and township governments. 

For more information on Michigan’s response to the overdose crisis, visit Michigan.gov/SUD.
Residents Urged to Protect Against Mosquito Bites

Residents Urged to Protect Against Mosquito Bites

by | Oct 10, 2024 | Health and Wellness

Residents Urged to Protect Against Mosquito Bites Throughout the Fall

Post Date:10/03/2024 12:18 PM

Parent spraying mosquito repellant on childPontiac, Mich. – Oakland County Health Division reminds residents to prevent mosquito-borne illness by avoiding mosquito bites while they work or recreate outside during the fall. Mosquitoes remain active until the first hard frost of the year.

“Keep protecting yourself against mosquitoes as we transition into fall,” said Leigh-Anne Stafford, Oakland County’s director of Health & Human Services. “As you enjoy outdoor fall festivities like football games and cider mills, take steps to prevent mosquito bites.”

Most people who are infected with mosquito-borne diseases have either no symptoms or experience a mild illness such as fever, headache and body aches. However, in some individuals, a more serious disease-causing inflammation and swelling of the brain can develop.

 Follow these prevention tips: 

  • Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered insect repellent.
    • All EPA registered insect repellents are evaluated for safety and effectiveness, and will contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol as the active ingredient. Repellents containing a higher percentage of the active ingredient typically provide longer-lasting protection.
    • Always follow the product label instructions.
    • Be careful using repellent on the hands of children as it may irritate the eyes and mouth.
  • Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by removing standing water around your home.
    • Turn over any container that can collect water. Once a week, empty  items that hold water such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, pet bowls, flowerpots and trash containers.
    • Clean clogged roof gutters, especially if leaves tend to plug the drains.
    • Treat standing water – such as retention ponds or drainage ditches – with a mosquito larvicide. It is easy to use and can be purchased at most home improvement stores.
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
  • Limit outdoor activity from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Make sure there are no holes in window and door screens. Do not prop open doors.

West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis are mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquitoes are infected with the virus by biting infected animals, such as birds or deer. The virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. With West Nile Virus, people over the age of 50 are more likely to develop serious and potentially life-threatening symptoms if they become ill from the virus.

More information about mosquito-borne diseases can be found on the Health Division’s website at oakgov.com/health or by contacting Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 or [email protected]. Nurse on Call is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and X.

For media inquiries only please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County public information officer, at 248-202-9668.

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Proposal for Juvenile Justice Facility Improvements 

Proposal for Juvenile Justice Facility Improvements 

by | Oct 10, 2024 | Health and Wellness

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 10, 2024

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS issues Request for Proposal for
Juvenile Justice Facility Infrastructure Improvements 

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Division of Juvenile Justice has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to improve infrastructure of juvenile justice facilities. The $2 million in funding was included in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s FY2025 budget.

“The Juvenile Justice Facility Infrastructure program is part of a continuing effort to improve juvenile justice facilities across the state,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “This investment will fund projects and activities at private and locally operated juvenile justice facilities to assist with infrastructure improvements and ensure available beds continue to be on hand.”

Eligible applicants include nonprofits, private and public entities, and federally recognized tribes or a group of federally recognized Michigan tribes, that operate a juvenile justice facility or facilities.

The grant period is from Jan. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2025. The total amount available is $2 million, with awards ranging from $200,000 to $2 million.

Grant applications for the Juvenile Justice Facility Infrastructure program RFP must be submitted electronically through the EGrAMS program by 3 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7.

A pre-application conference will be held to provide instruction on using the EGrAMS system at 10 a.m., Monday, Oct 14, and will last approximately 90 minutes. The webinar can be accessed at https://bit.ly/3ZRaV4O.

For more information or to apply, visit the EGrAMS website and select “About EGrAMS” link in the left panel to access the “Competitive Application Instructions” training manual. The complete RFP can be accessed under the ‘Current Grants’ section under the “Children’s Services Agency” link and selecting the “JJFI-2025” grant program.
$1.2 million in Children Trust grants to help prevent child abuse   

$1.2 million in Children Trust grants to help prevent child abuse   

by | Oct 10, 2024 | Health and Wellness

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 10, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT: E. Stover, 517-285-6270, [email protected] 

MDHHS announces more than $1.2 million in Children Trust Michigan grants to help prevent child abuse 

Organizations in Kalamazoo, Oakland, Van Buren and Wayne counties receive funding

LANSING, Mich. –The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced the Children Trust Michigan’s Board of Directors approval of $1.28 million for four Michigan community-based organizations to support child abuse prevention programs and services.

The grants will be funded over a four‐year period. Winning grant proposals were selected through a competitive bid process. Strong emphasis was placed on assuring funded initiatives are appropriately integrated into broader community plans for serving children and families.

“MDHHS is fully committed to keeping Michigan kids safe,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “Children Trust Michigan provides critical funding to community-based organizations across Michigan that prevent child abuse and neglect. Their prevention efforts are a key part of MDHHS’s Keep Kids Safe Action Agenda.”

Children Trust Michigan (CTM) is a nonprofit housed within MDHHS. CTM partners with MDHHS on a variety of initiatives and projects implemented by CTM.

“It is always exciting to award critical funds for the prevention of child abuse and neglect,” said Suzanne Greenberg, CTM executive director. “Our prevention team will work closely with our new grantees to build protective factors for children and families that will make safe, healthy and happy childhoods possible for Michigan’s children.”

The four organizations receiving funding are:

  • The Children’s Center, Wayne County, $320,000 for expansion of the Family Resource Center to help families meet their basic needs and Parent Cafés.
  • Centro Multicultural La Familia Inc., Oakland County, $320,000 for their Opening Doors Program and Parent Cafés.
  • Van Buren Intermediate School District, Van Buren County, $320,000 for Parents as Teachers Home Visiting Program.
  • YMCA of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, $320,000 for Crisis Nursery, Respite Care for Parenting Persons.

With the newly funded initiatives, combined with other multi‐year grant commitments and the statewide network of local councils, CTM distributed more than $2.6 million in FY24 in support of child abuse prevention programming across the 83 counties in Michigan.

Keep Kids Safe Action Agenda

The Keep Kids Safe Action Agenda, announced in 2023, includes more than 20 protocols and policies to improve the safety and well-being of Michigan children. Developed over the course of more than four years, the agenda relies on best practices in child welfare and commits the department to the nation’s highest standards. The action agenda highlights the steps MDHHS has taken and will continue to take that can be separated into five categories – prevention, intervention, stability, wellness and workforce.

To learn more about Children Trust Michigan, its efforts to end child abuse and where its programs and services visit ChildrenTrustMichigan.org.

About Children Trust Michigan

Created by the Michigan Legislature in 1982, Children Trust Michigan is the state’s only statewide nonprofit organization solely dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Children Trust Michigan serves as a voice for Michigan’s children and families and promotes their health, safety and welfare by funding effective local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect.
October at the NOCC

October at the NOCC

by | Oct 1, 2024 | Health and Wellness
Happy October!We have a busy month ahead of us here at the NOCC, with plenty of opportunities below for you to get involved! In this newsletter, we cover:

  • The Oxford Parent Education Fair
  • Take Back Day locations
  • Our Smart Students campaign
  • The New In The Loop parent group
  • Youth Action Board

Have a great month!

Oxford High School announces the first annual Parent Education Fair! The fair will be a conference-style event for parents and caregivers of the Oxford Schools community. The Parent Education fair will be held on Saturday, November 2nd from 8:15am to 12:30pm at Oxford Middle School. The NOCC is thrilled to sponsor this year’s keynote presentation by Nikki O’Donnell.

In addition to the keynote, there will be breakout session opportunities and community resource tables so parents/caregivers can connect with local community resources, including such topics as coping skills, special education, caregiver trauma and resilience, and more, as well as two breakout sessions hosted by the NOCC about Vaping and a QPR Suicide Prevention training.

Registration for this event is free and required. Childcare will be available for infants to children age 12, but must be noted when filling out your registration form. To learn more about the event, visit the Oxford Community Schools event page here. To register for this event, click here.
Take Back Day is October 26th, from 10am-2pm. We’ll be out at the Oakland County Sheriff’s Orion Substation and the Village of Oxford Police Department to help dispose of any old or unused medications.

Wondering what you can drop off? Currently, we cannot accept any liquid medications, inhalers, or needles. Pills, including liquid gel capsules, are allowed, and must be popped out of any blister packs or removed from their prescription bottles and put into plastic sandwich bags.
With Homecoming quickly approaching at both Lake Orion and Oxford High Schools, the NOCC will be visiting both schools to talk about the importance of staying safe and sober! On October 11th, we will be visiting Lake Orion High School to kick off our annual Smart Dragons Don’t Drink campaign, and will visit Oxford High School on October 14th to start Wise Wildcats Don’t Drink campaign! If you have students at either of these schools, make sure to ask them about what they learned during these lunch visits.

In The Loop is a group for Lake Orion and Oxford Parents that provides information about trending social issues that may affect your children. You will have access to:

  • Local data collected from youth and community surveys regarding risk factors that exist in our community, as well as protective factors that keep our kids safe.

  • Tips from local and regional community partners to help you know what to look out for to protect your child’s physical and mental wellbeing.

  • Educational workshops and presentations.

If you would like to be In The Loop, please visit our “In The Loop” website page, and follow the instructions to sign up for our In The Loop newsletter!
Both our Lake Orion and Oxford Youth Action Boards met for the first time this past month, and we were so excited to see both some new and returning faces! Throughout the school year, our Youth Action Boards will work to help create and provide input to our campaigns, such as No Vape November, our anti-drinking campaigns, and more. If you have a student at Lake Orion or Oxford High Schoolers who would like to get involved, the best way to learn about meetings is to follow our YAB Instagram pages! To follow our Lake Orion YAB, click here. To follow our Oxford YAB, click here.
MDHHS reminds residents about COVID-19 testing options

MDHHS reminds residents about COVID-19 testing options

by | Oct 1, 2024 | Health and Wellness

 

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 1, 2024
CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS reminds Michigan residents about
available COVID-19 testing options
Residents urged to stay home if sick to prevent spread of respiratory diseases

LANSING, Mich. – As fall begins, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) encourages Michiganders to get free COVID-19 at-home tests through the federal government’s COVID-19 tests website and reminds residents about additional Michigan-specific testing resources.

“We encourage Michigan families to take advantage of the free COVID tests being provided to reduce the risk of spreading the virus,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “And although it is important to test for COVID, families should also consider other respiratory diseases including RSV and influenza as we head into fall and winter when these diseases are most commonly spread. Please stay home if you are sick, even if you have a negative COVID test.”

All U.S. residents can go to COVIDTests.gov to sign up to receive up to four free at-home tests per household delivered via the U.S. Postal Service.

Additional testing options in Michigan include:

MDHHS encourages Michigan families to have a COVID plan that works for them. This may include:

  • Keeping a supply of COVID-19 over-the-counter tests and well-fitting masks at home.
  • Getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Speaking to a health care provider about eligibility for therapeutics that reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 disease for those who test positive.
  • Staying home if sick and learning more about Respiratory Virus Protection Strategies.