Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 8, 2024

CONTACT: Laina Stebbins, 517-241-2212, [email protected]

Michigan residents reminded of carbon monoxide dangers;
routinely check detectors and appliances 

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Servies (MDHHS) and Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) urge residents to protect their family by taking preventative measures against carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and check CO detectors and fuel-burning appliances.  

Carbon monoxide is known as the “Invisible Killer.” You cannot see, taste or smell it, but it can be deadly when you breathe it in. CO is found where carbon-based fuels like gasoline, propane, charcoal, wood and others are burned. The gas can build up to deadly levels within minutes in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. 

“Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen to anyone if there are no safety measures in place,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer. “The only way to tell if it is present is with a carbon monoxide detector. Most CO poisonings take place at home and are caused by items that are not properly installed, cared for or vented like furnaces, water heaters, generators, grills, dryers, space heaters, fireplaces, chimneys and gas stoves. Having these appliances checked yearly by professionals will reduce CO poisoning from happening.”  

“Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms are similar to the flu,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Symptoms include fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and confusion. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to coma and death, so these symptoms should not be ignored.”  

If you suspect you may be experiencing CO poisoning, or your CO detector alarm alerts, go outside immediately and call 911. Stay away from the enclosed space, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms, until the fire department tells you it is safe to return.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that each year approximately 100,000 people across the country visit the emergency department for accidental CO poisoning. In 2022, there were 727 Michigan emergency department visits for CO poisoning (MiTracking Data Portal).  

CO exposure may be particularly dangerous for:

• Developing babies: Fetal blood cells absorb CO more easily than adult blood cells.
• Children: Children have smaller bodies and breathe more rapidly than adults, potentially taking in more of the gas.
• Older adults: Older adults are very susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning and may be more likely to develop brain damage following exposure to the gas.
• People who have heart disease: CO causes direct damage to the heart, which permanently impairs heart function. People who have pre-existing heart disease are at greater risk for serious adverse health effects following exposure.
• Those with chronic exposure: People who are repeatedly exposed to carbon monoxide can incur more severe health effects at lower levels of exposure.

CO poisoning is preventable. Here are some prevention tips to follow:

• Install CO detectors. Detectors should be on every level of your home including the basement, mechanical rooms and near sleeping areas.
• Replace detectors every five years or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Test detectors monthly to ensure they work.
• Generators should be run at a safe distance (at least 20 feet) from the home. Never run a generator in the home, garage or next to windows, doors or other enclosed spaces. Remember that CO can build up and linger for hours, even when the generator has been shut off.
• Maintain and use fuel-burning devices correctly. Have heating systems, water heater and any fuel-burning devices inspected by a professional every year. Make sure gas appliances are vented properly.
• Where you have fuel-burning devices, use a CO detector. Have a detector handy when camping or hunting and/or when using tents, cabins, RVs and boats with enclosed cabins.
• Never run a car in an enclosed space. If a vehicle is running in the garage, the garage door must be fully open to allow harmful fumes to escape.
• Use fuel-burning devices outside only. Never run a gasoline or propane heater or charcoal, gas or wood grill inside your home or in any enclosed space, including a garage.

Additional CO poisoning and poisoning prevention information is available at the following sites:

State of Michigan

• LARA
  • MI Prevention.
• MDHHS
  • CO and Generators (Video).
  • MiTracking – CO Poisoning. 

National

• CDC – CO Poisoning Basics.
• Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• National CO Awareness Association.

Visit https://Michigan.gov/MiTracking for more information about CO poisoning. 

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.

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.