Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 5, 2022

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

MDHHS recognizes National Influenza Vaccination Week Dec. 5-9

Michigan residents urged to get flu vaccine before the holidays

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is recognizing National Influenza Vaccination Week this week and reminding Michigan residents that it’s not too late to get a flu vaccine.

The United States is seeing early season elevated flu activity, with 35 states reporting high or very high activity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12, there have been at least 4.4 million illnesses, 38,000 hospitalizations and 2,100 deaths associated with flu so far this season. The cumulative rate of influenza-associated hospitalizations was 11.3% per 100,000 individuals for the week ending Nov. 19, which is the highest hospitalization rate for this time of year since the 2010-2011 flu season. Additionally, 12 flu-associated pediatric deaths have been confirmed nationally for the 2022-2023 season so far.

“Influenza cases are on the rise in Michigan, and the situation is expected to worsen over the next several weeks. The flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your families against the anticipated surge of influenza,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for MDHHS. “It is not too late to get vaccinated this season — please get vaccinated today to prevent yourself from getting the potentially severe consequences of influenza this holiday season and to help prevent further burden on our health care system.”

Flu activity is steadily increasing in Michigan and positive flu cases have been reported in the central, southwestern and southeastern regions across the state.

The early surge of flu activity is occurring along with significant activity of another respiratory virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), throughout the country and in Michigan. While there is no current vaccine to protect from RSV, the flu and COVID-19 vaccines can help protect against respiratory illnesses and they can be given at the same visit.

CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for all persons ages 6 months and older with rare exceptions. According to data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, as of Nov. 12, approximately 2.2 million people in Michigan have received their flu vaccine for the 2022-2023 flu season, which is 60.9% towards the state’s goal of reaching 4 million doses of flu vaccine administered this season.

For people younger than 65 years, CDC does not recommend any flu vaccine over another during the 2022-2023 flu season. Options for this age group include inactivated flu vaccine, recombinant flu vaccine or live-attenuated flu vaccine.

Vaccination is particularly important for individuals at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, including young children, adults ages 65 years and older, people with certain chronic medical conditions and pregnant persons. Some children ages 6 months through 8 years will need two doses of flu vaccine this season to be fully protected. Individuals should speak with their health care provider to determine which vaccine is best for them.

It takes about two weeks after the vaccine is administered before the body builds up enough immunity to prevent the flu. Michiganders should get their vaccine now to protect themselves before flu activity peaks in Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) also reminds Michiganders that flu shots are an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act and are covered with no out-of-pocket costs by most health plans in Michigan.  

“Annual flu shots help keep you healthy and protect people around you, which is why they are covered at no cost by most health insurance plans in Michigan,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “Consumers with questions about their health insurance coverage should contact their insurance company and if they cannot get the information they need or have additional questions, DIFS is available to help. Contact DIFS 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 877-999-6442 or Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance.”

Flu vaccines are widely available now at local health departments, physician offices and pharmacies around the state. Find a location near you using the Vaccine Finder. Visit Michigan.gov/flu for more information or visit IVaccinate.org to find answers to vaccine questions.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 30, 2022 

MEDIA CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, WheatonB@michigan.gov

MDHHS enhances work with providers to meet behavioral health needs of children in foster care, juvenile justice systems

New contracts focusing on youth dealing with mental health crises will provide more innovative care

LANSING, Mich. – Children in the state foster care and juvenile justice systems experiencing a behavioral health crisis will have expanded access to services under a new effort by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

MDHHS is asking congregate care providers to submit plans for placement in their facilities to address the needs of youth who must access mental health stabilization programs – meaning services to stabilize and treat youth dealing with serious mental health concerns, like suicidal thoughts.

“This is an important step forward to ensure that children in the foster care and juvenile justice systems who need mental health stabilization have a place to go to be treated,” said Demetrius Starling, executive director of the department’s Children’s Services Agency. “To do that, we are asking our child-caring institutions to provide the behavioral health treatment youth need before they transition to homes with their parents, relatives or foster families.”

The department has issued a statewide request for proposals for new child-caring institution contracts and will begin implementing the new contracts in summer 2023.

MDHHS has contracts with 31 child-caring institutions to provide 800 beds, however, due to nationwide staffing shortages and other factors, these facilities provide fewer than 500 beds. The changes are expected to improve access to behavioral health services that youth in care need.

“Members of the Michigan Federation for Children and Families believe a strong partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is critical in expanding and providing equitable access to the full array of behavioral health services that best serve young people and their families,” said Janet Reynolds Snyder, executive director of the statewide association of private nonprofit community-based child and family-serving organizations that partner with MDHHS.

The idea of the new contract model is to encourage greater innovation in caring for the unique needs of children in the state’s foster care and juvenile justice systems.

This effort is part of a multi-faceted approach by MDHHS to address a national need for expanded behavioral health services for youth. The demand is coupled with a nationwide staffing shortage that makes it difficult to provide needed services, which MDHHS is also addressing.

MDHHS contracts with child-caring institutions to provide specialized treatment to youth in foster care or the juvenile justice system. In recent years it has been challenging in Michigan and nationally to find foster care and juvenile justice placements – especially residential therapeutic treatment beds.

“As a family court judge, I am encouraged that the department has recognized the greatest unmet health need of children and teens in the foster care system is their mental and behavioral health and is addressing the issue,” said Marquette County Probate Court Judge Cheryl L. Hill. “The new contracting model should allow for targeted results to meet the individual mental health needs of the youth and hopefully allow courts to reunify families sooner. While there are other issues to tackle in the overall child welfare system, this is a good step in the right direction to solving the crisis in care issues we face.”

MDHHS has already taken action to address the challenge, including bipartisan support of legislation signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to:

• Increase rates paid to the facilities.
• Increase funding for specialized programs.
• Put in place temporary wage increases for staff working in the facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Issue lump sum payment awards to help offset pandemic-related expenses and lost revenue.

MDHHS also has:

• Restructured the department to ensure behavioral health services are supported across community-based, residential and school locations, as well as other settings. The changes will benefit people of all ages, with addressing the needs of children and their families a top priority. This includes creation of the Bureau of Children’s Coordinated Health Policy and Supports.
• Created a Health Care and Human Services Workforce Steering Committee that is involved in multiple efforts to recruit more behavioral health workers to address shortages.
• Created the Division of Child Safety and Program Compliance to assist and provide additional oversight of contracted agencies providing congregate care or place children in foster care homes or facilities.

To earn state contracts, facilities must demonstrate through the request for proposal process that they can meet the specialized needs of children.

Other goals of the new process are to clearly define expectations and increase contract oversight effectiveness

To ensure contracted facilities are included in this reform, the department solicited input through provider surveys, in addition to hosting focus groups to hear from providers on the proposed reforms. The department used this feedback to help refine goals for reform

Agencies that would like to submit a proposal should go to the “Child Caring Institution – Therapeutic Short-Term Treatment Program” Bid Number 230000000402 at www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS after registering on that website. For assistance with registration or navigating the site, contact the Office of Financial Management at 517-284-0540 or 888-734-9749 and press “1” on the automated menu, or email [email protected]. Vendors who intend to submit a proposal and have questions should contact the solicitation manager, Mary Ostrowski, at 517-249-0438 or [email protected].

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 9, 2022

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

193 MI HEARTSafe Schools recognized for cardiac emergency preparedness efforts
713 schools receive designation in nine-year history

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Michigan Department of Education (MDE), American Heart Association, Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) and Michigan Alliance for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young (MAP-SCDY) will return in-person to celebrate 193 schools receiving the MI HEARTSafe School designation for the 2021-2022 school year on Nov. 10. Since the program began in 2013, 713 schools have earned this honor and 461 schools are actively designated.

With schools ramping up medical emergency efforts, preparation for cardiac emergencies has never been more important. This year, 193 schools are being recognized for efforts to orchestrate preparedness activities during the 2021-2022 school year. There are 63 schools receiving the award for the first time.

To receive a MI HEARTSafe School designation, schools must have:

• A written medical emergency response plan and team that can respond to an emergency during school hours and after-school activities and sports.
• Current CPR/AED certification of at least 10% of staff and 50% of coaches, including 100% of head varsity coaches and physical education staff.
• Accessible, properly maintained and inspected AEDs with signs identifying locations.
• Annual cardiac emergency response drills.
• Pre-participation sports screening of all student athletes using the current physical and history form endorsed by MHSAA.

“Sudden cardiac death claims the lives of more than 300 Michigan children and young adults every year,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Having schools prepared for cardiac emergencies can help decrease the number of these tragedies and prepare school employees to have the training necessary to respond in a timely manner and avert what could be a life-threatening situation. We encourage all schools to apply for a HEARTSafe certification.”

Keeping up with the MI HEARTSafe School criteria is vital for maintaining a safe environment for schools. Resources to help meet the criteria are available on the MI HEARTSafe School website. MAP-SCDY will also be hosting a virtual workshop in January to educate schools on how to become a MI HEARTSafe School.

“We are proud to recognize and support Michigan’s HEARTSafe schools,” said state superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “Ensuring schools are prepared for sudden cardiac emergencies through planning, training and life-saving AEDs is an important part of having safer learning environments for students, staff and the community.”

This is MI HEARTSafe Schools program’s ninth year. A HEARTSafe designation lasts for three years, and 50 schools received their third MI HEARTSafe award this year. It is encouraging and commendable to have schools continue to renew the designation every three years.

A list of participating schools is available online.

For more information about the MI HEARTSafe Schools program, visit Migrc.org/miheartsafe or email.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 4, 2022

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

MDHHS issues RFP for recovery support services

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to expand recovery support center services or recovery community center services for individuals seeking long-term recovery from substance-use disorders.

Eligible applicants must be registered as a Recovery Community Organization with the Association of Recovery Community Organizations at Faces and Voices of Recovery. A total of $1.2 million is available in this RFP with a maximum award of $150,000. MDHHS anticipates issuing up to eight awards.

Grant applications for the Recovery Support Services Competitive RFP must be submitted electronically through the EGrAMS program by 3 p.m. on Oct. 31, 2022. The program period begins Jan. 1, 2023 and ends Sept. 30, 2023.

A pre-application conference will be held to discuss this funding opportunity and provide instruction on using the EGrAMS system.  The pre-application conference will be held on Oct. 10, 2022, beginning at 11 a.m. and will last approximately 90 minutes. The conference can be accessed at https://bit.ly/3QViLSI

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 “Behavioral Hlth and Dev Dis Adm Standard” link and selecting the “RSSC-2023” grant program.