Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 1, 2021

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

MDHHS shares mental health resources available for those impacted by Oxford school shooting

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is extending heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the tragic shooting at Oxford High School yesterday and sharing resources in support of anyone impacted by this horrible event.

“A school shooting is something we hope would never happen anywhere, but tragically occurred in our state this week,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “While no parent or child should have to experience this, it is important to take care of the mental health needs of survivors and those impacted by this tragic event. We encourage parents and caregivers to use available resources as their children navigate grief and process this traumatic event.”

According to The National Child Traumatic Stress Network shootings are extremely traumatic experiences, and coping can be stressful. Children and teen’s reactions are influenced by how adults including teachers, parents and other caregivers respond. Common reactions include, but are not limited to, feelings of anxiety, fear and worry about safety of self and others; fear that another shooting may occur; changes in behavior such as increases in activity levels, decreases in concentration and increases in irritability; physical complaints such as headaches, stomach aches, or other aches and pains; and trouble staying focused and increased sensitivity to sounds.

“In the wake of the tragic shooting at Oxford High School, our hearts break for the community and families struggling to understand the loss of their beloved children and the toll of the injuries — both physical and mental — to so many others impacted by yesterday’s events,” said Dr. Debra Pinals, MDHHS medical director for behavioral health and forensic programs. “As we move forward step by step as a community, the questions and worries can be overwhelming. With anxiety and depression rates already heightened in the context of the pandemic, a tragedy like what happened at Oxford High School will need to be processed, and people will need to communicate about their concerns, even if they may be reluctant to do so. There is no shame in accessing support for emotional stress and trauma, and we encourage those who need that support to reach out to a health care provider or call 2-1-1 for local resources that can meet your needs.”

Take steps below to speak with your children about violence and help them cope through tragedy:

1. Reassure children that they are safe. Validate their feelings and let them know all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs.
2. Make time to talk. Be patient and let children guide how much information you share by the questions they ask. Young children may need other activities like drawing or playing to identify and express feelings.
3. Keep explanations developmentally appropriate based upon age.
4. Review safety procedures both at school and at home.
5. Observe your child’s emotional state. Note that children may not be able to verbally express grief and may need the help of a mental health professional.
6. Limit television viewing of the events.
7. Maintain a normal routine. A regular schedule can help with healing and aid in managing grief.

MDHHS also offers the Michigan Crisis and Access Line (MiCAL) in Oakland County. Residents can call or text 844-44-MICAL (844-446-4225) 24/7 for free behavioral health crisis triage, support, resource information and referral to local services. Chat is also available through Michigan.gov/MiCAL.

To learn about speaking to your children about safety, visit HopkinsAllChildrens.org.

To learn about speaking to your children about violence, visit NaspOnline.org.

If you or a loved one is concerned about suicide, call 800-273-8255 or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

To help your children manage distress after a shooting, visit Apa.org.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 29, 2021

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-281-1701, wheatonb@michigan.gov

COVID-19 Omicron variant illustrates importance of getting vaccinated, including booster doses, wearing masks, other mitigation strategies 

MDHHS is monitoring to identify any presence in Michigan, but has not yet detected new variant 

LANSING, Mich. – While the COVID-19 Omicron variant has not been detected in the state, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is monitoring for it and advising residents that the presence of variants makes it even more important to get vaccinated, including the booster does to increase protection, wear masks and take other precautions.

“Ensuring that as many Michiganders as possible are vaccinated remains the best protection we have against COVID-19 – including variants of concern.” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive. “We are asking Michiganders to continue to use critical mitigation measures, such as getting vaccinated and getting boosters when eligible, wearing a mask, and getting tested regularly. Increased transmission fuels the development of more variants of concern.”

The CDC has declared Omicron – which emerged in South Africa – to be a variant of concern. There appears to be evidence that it is more transmissible, based on preliminary information

The MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories has re-analzyed the genetic sequencing data from 31,000 positive COVID-19 samples sequenced in its lab and has identified no cases of the new variant

“It’s still early, and there is much that we need to learn about the Omicron variant,” said Dr. Alexis Travis, senior deputy director of MDHHS’s Public Health Administration. “We know what protection measures are needed to reduce the spread of COVID and prevent additional mutations of the virus. We need Michiganders to continue to do their part to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.”

In addition to getting vaccinated and wearing masks – particularly indoors and in crowded areas – other things people can do to protect themselves and their loved ones include:

• Getting tested for COVID-19, especially before gatherings.
• Physically distancing from others and avoiding crowds
• Washing hands frequently with soap and water and cleaning hands with alcohol-based hand rub.
• Covering your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze
• Self-isolating until you recover if you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19.

MDHHS has issued a public health advisory that all Michiganders, regardless of vaccination status, should wear a mask in indoor public settings and those who are not fully vaccinated or who are immunocompromised should avoid large crowds or gatherings.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 30, 2021

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

MDHHS expands Opioid Health Home services to additional counties

LANSING, Mich. –The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has expanded the Opioid Health Home (OHH) initiative to more Michigan counties to provide intensive care management and care coordination services for Medicaid beneficiaries with an opioid use disorder (OUD).

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently approved Michigan’s State Plan Amendment (SPA) to expand its Opioid Health Home initiative into PIHP Regions 6, 7 and 10. The expanded SPA will allow thousands of Medicaid beneficiaries meeting the eligibility criteria to receive OHH services.

A Health Home is a benefit awarded to Medicaid beneficiaries who have a diagnosed with an Opioid Use Disorder and reside within one of the following Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP) regions/counties:

• PIHP Region 1 (counties in the Upper Peninsula)
• PIHP Region 2 (21 northern-most counties of the Lower Peninsula)
• PIHP Region 4 (specifically Calhoun and Kalamazoo Counties)
• PIHP Region 6 (Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Washtenaw)
• PIHP Region 7 (Wayne)
• PIHP Region 9 (Macomb County)
• PIHP Region 10 (Genesee, Lapeer, Sanilac, St. Clair)

Individuals who meet the criteria are able to work with a team of providers who will attend to a beneficiary’s complete health and social needs. Participation is voluntary and enrolled beneficiaries may opt out at any time.

“The expansion of Opioid Health Home program will help address the complexity of physical and behavioral health conditions in Michigan and improve access to essential services,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “For enrolled beneficiaries, the Health Home will function as the central point of contact for directing patient-centered care across the broader health care system.”

In Michigan, half of Medicaid beneficiaries have an untreated mental illness and more than two-thirds have an untreated substance use disorder. Health Homes are a proven model to increase access to coordinated and integrated care, which is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For OHH-specific information, including eligibility and available resources, visit Michigan.gov/OHH.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 24, 2021

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

MDHHS highlights long-term care facility
visitation guidance ahead of the holidays

LANSING, Mich. – With the holiday season upon us, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is reminding Michiganders about long-term care visitation guidance designed to protect residents from COVID-19 while still allowing for visitation from family and friends.

MDHHS has updated its guidance based on recent changes to Centers for Medicaid and Medicare recommendations.

“Long-term care residents receive physical, emotional and spiritual support by visiting with their family and friends, particularly during the holiday season,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “Our updated guidance provides key steps to take to make these visits as safe and fulfilling as possible.”

“In these incredibly challenging times we are grateful for the opportunity to give thanks. This Thanksgiving residents and their loved ones will have the opportunity to connect and be together,” said HCAM President/CEO Melissa Samuel. “COVID cases remain at a very high level, and it is critical family and friends follow all current precautions to protect all residents and staff when visiting Michigan’s skilled nursing facilities.

Per CMS, if a visitor, resident or their representative is aware of the risks associated with visitation, and the visit occurs in a manner that does not place other residents at risk (e.g., in the resident’s room), the resident must be allowed to receive visitors as he/she chooses.

Previous public health precautions were designed to prevent visitors from introducing COVID-19 into long-term care facilities, but the risks of COVID-19 transmission related to visitation is low, especially when core principles of infection prevention are observed and in settings where vaccination rates are high. Approximately 84% of residents in long-term care facilities in Michigan are fully vaccinated. Booster doses are also now available to those that live or work in long-term care settings. MDHHS strongly recommends long-term care facilities schedule onsite clinics so residents, staff and visitors can receive vaccinations and boosters as soon as possible.

Additional updates to CMS guidance include the following:

• Visitors who have a positive viral test for COVID-19, symptoms of COVID-19, or currently meet the criteria for quarantine, should NOT enter the facility.
• Outdoor visits are preferred during times of warmer weather when the resident or visitor is not fully vaccinated.
• Facilities must allow indoor visitation at all times and for all residents.
  • While it is safer for visitors not to enter the facility during an outbreak investigation, visitors must still be allowed in the facility.
• While not recommended, residents who are on transmission-based precautions or quarantine may receive visitors, especially if alternative methods of visitation such as phone call, window or virtual visitation are not conducive for visitation.
• Facilities can no longer limit the frequency and length of visits for residents, the number of visitors or require advance scheduling of visits.
• Masking
  • If the resident and all their visitor(s) are fully vaccinated and the resident is not moderately or severely immunocompromised, they may choose not to wear face coverings or masks.
  • If the nursing home’s county COVID-19 community level of transmission is substantial to high, all residents and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, should wear face coverings or masks and physically distance.
  • MDHHS has issued a Public Health Advisory that recommends everyone over the age of 2 should wear a face mask at indoor gatherings regardless of their vaccination status. In addition, establishments should implement a policy to ensure that all persons entering or seeking services, including employees, wear a mask. This face mask advisory remains in effect until further notice.  
• Compassionate care visits are allowed at all times.
• Residents may also choose to have physical touch based on their preferences and needs.
• Failure to facilitate visitation would constitute a potential violation and a facility would be subject to citation and enforcement actions.

In addition, although recommended by MDHHS, visitor testing is not required to visit. Facilities in counties with substantial or high levels of community transmission are encouraged to offer testing to visitors onsite or may encourage visitors to have testing two to three days before coming to the facility.