Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2024

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS seeks additional participants for community influencer program informing social determinants of health strategy

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan community residents are helping to improve access to social care resources like housing, transportation and food as part of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) social determinants of health (SDOH) community influencer program. The program fosters community engagement, addresses barriers such as food insecurity and affordable housing and advances health equity by leveraging the power of local influencers from different regions across Michigan. MDHHS is currently seeking additional residents to participate in this program.

MDHHS is seeking 35 influencers from across the state and is specifically recruiting community health workers, including family advocates, navigators and outreach workers. However, anyone is welcome to apply. Applicants will be required to complete a background check and will be evaluated on their ability to improve community health, the network they are involved in within their community and the time they can commit to the program.

As part of the SDOH strategy, the community influencer program brings together a diverse group of trusted community members. These individuals represent the authentic voices of local communities whose input will improve SDOH programs and delivery of services.

“Continuous learning from the perspective of our trusted community partners is a crucial component in informing our social determinants of health policy,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “By actively involving these engaged community members, MDHHS will improve awareness and access to resources, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for all Michigan residents.”

The program is structured around three key phases:

1. Listen: Community influencers will be engaged through brief questionnaires, surveys, meetings and community events to share their valuable feedback. This approach ensures participation while respecting their time and commitments.
2. Reflect: The feedback gathered during the listening phase will be carefully reviewed and interpreted by the SDOH team. The team will analyze the insights shared to identify community-driven solutions and strategies that address the specific needs of diverse communities.
3. Act: In this phase, MDHHS may integrate the feedback received into programs and policies. MDHHS is committed to closing the feedback loop by transparently communicating with community influencers about how their input may result in future actions. This ongoing dialogue seeks to foster collaboration and build trust between MDHHS and the community.

The SDOH Community Influencer Program membership currently includes 43 individuals across Michigan, with representation from various populations and communities facing social determinants of health challenges.

What is a community influencer?

A community influencer is a person who shares input regarding their community’s needs. Influencers will have a working relationship with MDHHS, as well as local community partners.

What does a community influencer do?

Community influencers will provide feedback on programs and share experiences. MDHHS wants to hear about challenges in communities that may prevent people from having happy and healthy lives.

Why should I be a community influencer?

Make a difference in your community. A community influencer can help enhance decision-making to inform policies and improve programs and services that benefit the needs of the local community, such as food insecurity and housing. Input will ultimately help to improve health outcomes and advance equity in Michigan.

Who can be a community influencer?

The community influencer program is open to any Michigan resident with an interest in improving the health and well-being of their community. Influencers must be 18 years of age or older.

MDHHS recognizes the valuable time, effort and expertise shared by community influencers and has developed a compensation plan for their contributions. Community influencers will receive a monthly compensation of $75 for their active participation in meetings, focus groups, surveys and social media engagement. In-person orientation session attendance will be compensated with an additional $100.

We invite community members from across the state to fill out an interest form to apply to become a community influencer and help shape a healthier and more equitable future for our communities.

For more information about the SDOH Community Influencer Program and how to get involved, please visit, Michigan.gov/SDOH.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2024

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS celebrates World Down Syndrome Awareness Day March 21

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is observing World Down Syndrome Awareness Day (DASD) Thursday, March 21.

Down syndrome is a naturally occurring genetic condition in which a child is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21. As a result, certain genes on chromosome 21 are over-expressed, impacting an individual in many ways, including varied levels of intellectual and physical disabilities. The date for DSAD was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome.

“Children and people with Down syndrome can lead healthy and full lives,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “We encourage residents to learn more about what Down syndrome is on World Down Syndrome Awareness Day and recognize the abilities and talents of people with Down syndrome.”

Down syndrome remains the most common chromosomal condition diagnosed in the United States. Each year, about 6,000 babies born in the United States have Down syndrome. In Michigan, 1 in every 817 babies are born with Down syndrome.

DSAD creates a single global voice advocating for rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down syndrome. The DSAD 2024 theme is “End the Stereotypes.” Stereotypes about people with Down syndrome can do tremendous harm, causing them to be misunderstood, underestimated and excluded. Down syndrome affects each person differently; no individual is likely to exhibit all the characteristics commonly associated with Down syndrome.

This year, DASD is being celebrated with the Lots of Socks campaign. Participants can choose fun and colorful socks that will get noticed to spark organic conversations about Down syndrome awareness.

To learn more about physical and developmental birth defects, and how to reduce risks, visit the MDHHS website.

Press Release

CORRECTION ISSUED TO INCLUDE HEADLINE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2024

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS recognizes benefits of having a family physician during Family Medicine Week

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), along with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians and the Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians are recognizing March 17-23 as Family Medicine Week in Michigan.

Family medicine is a medical specialty practiced by family physicians. These physicians undergo extensive training to provide comprehensive care for people of all ages.

“Visiting your family physician for regular check-ups and to keep up to date on immunizations can help you stay healthy and prevent illness,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Family physicians undergo comprehensive training and provide team-based and evidence-based care to individuals and families by emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention which prevents more costly medical care and more serious conditions. We recommend all Michigan residents get a family physician or other primary care provider and keep up with routine medical visits.”

Family Medicine Week highlights family physicians’ dedication to providing comprehensive, coordinated primary care to residents across the state to protect and improve health and wellness and reduce costs to the health care system. Research shows that adults and children with a family physician as their regular source of care have lower annual costs of care, visit the doctor less, are prescribed fewer medications and report less difficulty accessing care.

Family physicians are key partners in Michigan adults and children getting vaccinated against the seasonal flu, COVID-19 and other vaccine-preventable diseases like measles that cause illness and death.

To learn more about Michigan Academy of Family Physicians, visit MAFP.com. To learn more about Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians, visit MAOFP.org.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 14, 2023

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

MDHHS Children Trust Michigan seeks proposals to help prevent child
abuse and neglect through programs that support families

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Children Trust Michigan has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to increase community-based efforts that help prevent child abuse and neglect for at-risk families.

Proposals should support strengths-based programs that build upon the five Strengthening Families Protective Factors.

The Direct Service Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Program supports local or statewide public, private or nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and federally recognized tribes or a group of federally recognized tribes or Urban Indian Health Centers with community-based, secondary prevention programs and services designed to promote strong, nurturing families and prevent child abuse and neglect. Organizations currently receiving funding for a direct service program are eligible to apply only if they meet the requirements in Section II.6 program requirements of the RFP document. Only applications that establish new programs or add dimensions or components to existing programs are eligible for funding.

A total of $400,000 is available, with a maximum award of $80,000 per grantee. MDHHS anticipates issuing up to five awards.

Priority will be given to applications that propose one or more of the following:

• Program/curriculum is evidence-based/evidenced-informed.
• Offers participants parent education, peer support, and training opportunities.
• Demonstrates community collaboration.

Examples of other child abuse prevention programs that could be funded under this opportunity but not limited to:

• Parent Cafés.
• Parenting Education.
• Fatherhood Initiatives.
• Respite Care/Crisis Nurseries.
• Family Resource Centers.
• Kinship Care.

Project director requests to get access to the application are due by 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 24. Grant applications must be submitted electronically through EGrAMS by 3 p.m., May 1. The program period begins Oct. 1, 2024, and ends Sept. 30, 2025. Successful applications may be awarded continuing funding based on funding availability and performance.

A pre-application conference will be held to discuss this funding opportunity and provide instruction on using the EGrAMS system at 9 a.m., Thursday, March 21, and will last approximately 90 minutes. The webinar can be accessed at https://bit.ly/3ux28I3. At the conclusion of the conference, this link can be used to access the recording of this webinar.

Any questions concerning the content of this RFP must be sent via email to childrentrustmichigan@michigan.gov by Monday, March 25. Questions may be discussed verbally at the pre-application conference. MDHHS will compile all relevant questions and answers and post these as well as any other clarifications or revisions to the initial RFP by Monday, April 1, 2024, on the EGrAMS website.

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 Trust Michigan” link and selecting the “DS-2025” grant program.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 12, 2024

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS seeks public input on effort to offer
nutrition services to Medicaid recipients 

LANSING, Mich. — As a part of its commitment to strengthen health care for Michigan residents and address social determinants of health, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is seeking public input on potential services designed to address health-related nutrition needs.

MDHHS is encouraging health plans participating in the Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan to offer in lieu of services (ILOS) options to beneficiaries that address food insecurity and increase access to healthy foods.

ILOS are services the state considers to be medically appropriate and cost effective when provided as substitutes to other Medicaid-covered services. ILOS would be offered to eligible Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan enrollees by their health plan and delivered by a community-based provider such as a food bank, meal provider or a food pharmacy which is a new program model designed to increase the access to and consumption of healthy foods.

“MDHHS is working to address social determinants of health by investing in and engaging with community-based organizations,” said Elizabeth Hertel, director. “The department is excited for the opportunity to collaborate with community partners on this innovative effort to improve the health of Michigan residents enrolled in Medicaid health plans through nutrition services.”

MDHHS is seeking public input on proposed service definitions for the following four potential ILOS:

• Medically Tailored Home Delivered Meal.
• Healthy Home Delivered Meal.
• Healthy Food Pack.
• Produce Prescription.

Through a request for information (RFI), MDHHS is seeking input from community-based nutrition service providers, community-based organizations, advocacy groups, federally recognized Michigan Indian tribes, providers of health care, health systems, health plans and other interested parties that bring valuable insights into local needs and cultural considerations, as well as into statewide capacity to deliver nutrition-focused services.

The RFI questions seek feedback on the proposed ILOS definitions, how best they meet enrollee needs, the availability of ILOS across the state and community-based providers’ capacity to deliver ILOS.

Feedback will be used to refine ILOS definitions prior to submission for federal approval and implementation.

Responses must be submitted via email to MDHHS-EngageMedicaid@michigan.gov by 5 p.m., Friday, April 5.

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/MDHHSILOS.