Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 28, 2023

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

MI Kids Now Loan Repayment Program offers student debt relief to behavioral health providers

LANSING, Mich. – Medical providers of behavioral health services in Michigan may be eligible for educational loan repayment through the MI Kids Now Loan Repayment Program. This program focuses on incentivizing behavioral health providers to provide mental health services through nonprofit, outpatient organizations across the state.

“This program was designed to assist in recruiting and retaining behavioral health providers to help Michiganders access care within their communities,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director “Our shared goal is to assist providers in building long-term behavioral health infrastructure to serve children, youth and families across the state.”

The loan repayment program is open to providers of services to both children and adults, but the priority will be providing debt relief to those who serve children. Eligible providers will be selected to enter into consecutive two-year agreements. The program will assist those selected with up to $300,000 to repay educational debt over a period of up to 10 years.

The program is available to behavioral health providers, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, therapists, case managers and certified behavioral analysts. Those eligible must provide in-person, outpatient behavioral health services through eligible non-profit practice sites, including public school-based systems and community mental health organizations. The MI Kids Now Loan Repayment Program application cycle is June 12 – June 23.

Further information regarding eligibility, selection criteria, application instructions and frequently asked questions can be found on the MI Kids Now Loan Repayment Program website. Behavioral health providers are encouraged to review the materials in advance and submit applications when the cycle begins. Providers should note that guidelines, eligibility criteria and application instructions have changed for the 2023 application cycle. Further information can be found on the program website. Providers who have questions or need more information can email  MDHHS-MIKidsNowLRP@michigan.gov.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 20, 2023

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 19-25 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. “Having a family doctor helps build a lasting relationship with someone who knows you and your family’s medical history and can treat a variety of medical 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 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 8, 2023

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

MDHHS launches OpiRescue smartphone app to help Michigan residents prevent and reduce opioid overdoses

LANSING, Mich. – In an effort to reduce the occurrence of overdoses and help residents learn to treat an overdose, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is launching OpiRescue, a smartphone app aimed at reducing harm.

The OpiRescue app helps anyone, including first responders, prevent opioid misuse and reduce opioid overdose deaths by addressing education, prevention and tracking of overdose reversals.

“Preventing opioid deaths includes offering a variety of strategies to provide residents tools when and where they need them,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “The OpiRescue app will support those who may encounter an overdose to immediately begin life-saving treatment to an affected individual.”

The OpiRescue app provides:

• Educational content to identify and reverse overdoses.
• A Naloxone finder to locate the medication nearby.
• A treatment locator.
• Information on how to report an overdose reversal.

The OpiRescue app is available statewide in Michigan on both Android and iOS platforms. It is free to use and anonymous. It can be downloaded at Apple iOS app store or through Google Play.

MDHHS partners, including Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans and Syringe Service Programs, actively involved in caring for members of the public experiencing opioid use disorder will have access to a dashboard for their region. The dashboard will allow those partners to view overdose reversal data in near real time and allocate additional resources as needed to areas with increased reports of overdose reversals.

For more information on Naloxone and how to obtain the medication, visit Michigan.gov/Naloxone.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 6, 2023

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov

Michigan families urged to focus on eating habits
and physical activity during National Nutrition Month

LANSING, Mich. – In March, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is joining with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to encourage Michiganders to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits during National Nutrition Month.

“The 2023 theme, Fuel for the Future, encourages everyone to eat with sustainability in mind,” said Christina Herring, WIC Director. “It is a reminder to fill our bodies with healthy foods during every phase of life as well as protect the environment.”

Fuel for the Future highlights ways everyone can eat with the environment in mind, like enjoying more plant-based meals and snacks, buying food in season, shopping locally, or starting a container or backyard garden to grow food at home.

During National Nutrition Month, the Michigan WIC Program encourages everyone to eat a variety of foods from all food groups and in various forms, including fresh, frozen and canned food. In addition, Michiganders are encouraged to include their favorite cultural foods and traditions, avoid fad diets promoting unnecessary restriction and practice gratitude for their body by giving it the fuel it needs.

WIC is a federally funded program that serves low-income women, infants and children up to age five by providing nutritious food, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health and other services. WIC foods are selected to meet nutrient needs such as calcium, iron, folic acid, and vitamins A and C.

WIC also provides families with access to registered dietitians or registered dietitian nutritionists. These food and nutrition experts specialize in assessing one’s unique needs and providing personalized nutrition education and counseling to meet individual health goals.

To learn more about WIC or find an agency near you, call 211 or visit Michigan.gov/WIC.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 2, 2023

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

MDHHS celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council (MiDDC) along with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is meant to raise awareness and educate the public about developmental disabilities and to recognize the strengths, abilities and important contributions of people with developmental disabilities. Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions that manifest before the age of 22 and result in a significant impairment in physical, learning, language or behavioral areas. Throughout the month, MiDDC will be sharing personal self-advocacy stories of those with developmental disabilities to help raise awareness about what living with a developmental disability means for approximately 180,000 residents in Michigan.

“MiDDC is proud to highlight our work advocating for improved community inclusion of people with developmental disabilities,” said Vendella Collins, MiDDC executive director. “March is also an opportunity for us to bring greater public awareness to the ongoing work of full inclusion and integration of people with developmental disabilities into employment and typical community activities.”

As part of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, MiDDC will be co-hosting Disability Advocacy Day on March 7 with the Self-Advocates of Michigan. This event is for people with developmental disabilities to meet with their state legislators to discuss current issues impacting their lives.

MiDDC will also engage in various activities to improve public understanding and promote inclusion for people with developmental disabilities in our communities. Resources and information will be shared on Facebook. The public is invited to participate and follow on Facebook for updates using the hashtag #DDAM2023.

More information about upcoming events can be found at Michigan.gov/middcevents.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2023

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

MDHHS highlights brain injury prevention during Brain Injury Awareness Month

LANSING, Mich. — Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and acquired brain injury (ABI) are leading causes of injury-related death and disability in the United States and in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is observing Brain Injury Awareness Month this March to raise awareness about prevention of brain injuries.

“Prevention strategies can greatly reduce the risk for TBIs and death,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “These include removing hazards in and around the home, keeping sports play safe by using protective equipment, avoiding driving in bad weather if possible, always wearing a seat belt and making sure children are secured in an age- and weight-appropriate child seat or booster seat in the car.”

Brain injuries may affect cognitive, motor, sensation and emotional functions. Observable signs of traumatic brain injury may include appearing dazed or stunned, forgetting an instruction, moving clumsily, answering questions slowly, losing consciousness (even briefly), showing mood, behavior or personality changes, and being unable to recall events prior to and/or after an injury event.

Falls are the leading known cause of TBI (40%) in the United States, and cause more than half (55%) of all TBIs among children ages 0 to 14 years, and 81% of all TBIs are among adults ages 65 and older. Other leading and preventable causes of traumatic brain injury include being struck by or against an object or person, motor vehicle crashes, suicide, substance misuse and assaults, including shaken baby or abusive head trauma.

There were more than 1,800 TBI-related injuries in 2020 and more than 9,500 hospitalizations in Michigan. Annual costs of TBIs in the U.S. exceeds $40 billion.

For more tips on preventing TBIs, visit CDC.gov.

For more tips to keep your home safe, visit CPSC.gov, and Safekids.org.

More information about sports concussions is available here.

Additional resources for seniors for classes to prevent falls and improve mobility and independence may be found at CDC.go/steadi.