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.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 4, 2022

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

MDHHS highlights new hotline during October’s
Domestic Violence Awareness Month

LANSING, Mich. – As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is highlighting Michigan’s new, 24/7 hotline providing live, one-on-one crisis support for all victims, survivors, support people and professionals who serve them. The hotline number is available by calling 866-864-2338 or texting 877-861-0222.

“MDHHS is joining national efforts to educate communities about the lasting trauma domestic violence has on individuals and families,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “It is incredibly important to provide support services for those experiencing abuse, and we encourage anyone in need to seek assistance.”

The hotline is free and provides local support that is tailored to each unique situation through trained advocates.

Hotline services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year via phone, chat, text or TTY, for those who are deaf or hard of hearing:

• Call: 866-864-2338
• Text: 877-861-0222 (standard text messaging rates apply)
• Chat: MCEDSV.org/chat
• TTY: 517-898-5533

Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control in a relationship. Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate and impacts all races, genders, education and economic statuses. Often, multiple forms of abuse are present. It is important to know behaviors to look for to seek support for self or others.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, Michigan’s Domestic Violence Hotline is a free, confidential, and anonymous resource available 24/7/365. Call 866-864-2338, text 877-861-0222, or chat online by visiting this link.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 22, 2022

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

Prescription drugs covered by Medicaid health plans topic of October meeting 

LANSING, Mich. – The public is invited to attend a virtual meeting hosted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) on Tuesday, Oct. 3, regarding the list of prescription drugs covered under Michigan’s Medicaid health plans known as the Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an annual forum for the public, stakeholders and interested parties to comment on the prescription list. This forum is in addition to the quarterly written public comment periods.

The annual Michigan Medicaid Health Plan common formulary stakeholder meeting will be held virtually from 9:30 a.m. to noon via Zoom. The Zoom can be accessed by clicking this link and the password is: s1GJxM. Participants may also access the meeting by phone by dialing 636-651-3128 and entering access code 287658.

“It is important for Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries to have the opportunity to comment on whether prescription drugs on the list will meet their health needs,” said Farah Hanley, MDHHS chief deputy for health. “We welcome their participation in this public meeting and look forward to hearing their input – as well as feedback from providers and other stakeholders.”

MDHHS created the common formulary in 2016 to streamline drug coverage policies for Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries and providers. The common formulary is required in state law and in the Medicaid health plan contract to ensure that prescription drugs are common across all contracted plans.

Medicaid health plans may be less restrictive – but not more restrictive – than the coverage in the common formulary for products not on the Michigan Preferred Drug List, which is a subset of the drugs listed on the common formulary.

As of Oct. 1, 2020, the common formulary coverage for products began aligning with the Michigan Preferred Drug List – including any prior authorization and step therapy requirements.

Anyone who plans to attend should notify [email protected] no later than Monday, Sept. 29, and should request special accommodations if needed to join the meeting. Find more information about the common formulary including the list of covered prescription drugs at Michigan.gov/MCOpharmacy.

Those unable to attend can submit questions or comments to the Common Formulary mailbox at MDHHSCommonFormulary@michigan.gov.