Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 4, 2021

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

MDHHS reminds Michiganders about the dangers of RSV and how to keep children safe during RSV Awareness Month 

LANSING, Mich. – October is RSV Awareness Month, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is encouraging everyone to take steps to prevent the spread of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is a respiratory virus that usually peaks in the winter, however, this year RSV activity has been higher than expected across the state through the summer and early fall which is also trending across the country.

Each year in the United States, RSV leads to approximately 2.1 million outpatient visits and 58,000 hospitalizations among children under five years of age. There are approximately 177,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths among adults over age 65.

RSV is highly contagious and spreads through droplets in the air after a cough or sneeze. In adults and older children, symptoms of RSV are usually mild and may mimic a cold. RSV can cause severe infection in some people, including infants and young children, older adults, people with heart and lung disease or people who are immunocompromised. Individuals with cold-like symptoms should not interact with children and other individuals at high risk for RSV.

It’s important to call your child’s health care provider right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms:

• A cold and is less than six months of age or at high risk for RSV.
• Difficulty breathing:
  • Short, shallow and fast breaths.
  • Skin between ribs or under the neck pulls with each breath.
• Lips, tongue or skin color turns blue or gray.
• Trouble eating, drinking or sleeping.
• Gets dehydrated (decreased number of wet diapers).

“It is possible to take simple measures to protect your child from RSV,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Avoid close contact with people who are unwell, wash hands often, cover sneezes, avoid touching your face with your hands and frequently disinfect surfaces.”

Take simple steps in addition to those listed above help prevent the spread of RSV:

• Keep children home when sick.
• Avoid close contact actions like kissing, handshakes, sharing cups and utensils.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, toys and mobile devices.

In addition to children, older adults can be at risk for severe RSV infection. Symptoms are similar to those listed above, but can develop into serious conditions like pneumonia.

Most RSV illness goes away on its own and there is no specific treatment for RSV. If you or a loved one becomes infected, it’s important to monitor fever and pain, drink fluids and talk to your health care provider if you have any concerns.

This year, it is especially important to take precautions as COVID-19 continues to circulate and shares many similar symptoms of RSV, including fever and breathing difficulties. Michiganders are urged to see their health care provider if symptoms develop for appropriate evaluation, testing and treatment.

For more information about RSV, visit CDC.gov/RSV.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 23, 2021

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

More than $1.8 million in grants from Children’s Trust Fund awarded to help prevent child abuse in Michigan 

LANSING, Mich. – The Children’s Trust Fund Board of Directors has approved $1,865,168 in direct services grants to 10 Michigan community-based organizations to support local child abuse prevention initiatives.

All grantees will be funded over a four‐year period. The board selected winning grant proposals through a competitive bid process from among 19 proposals submitted.

“We congratulate these 10 successful grantees that emerged from an extremely competitive process with many more excellent proposals than we were able to fund,” said Suzanne Greenberg, director of the Children’s Trust Fund that is within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “We will work closely with our new grantees to build protective factors for children and families that will make safe, healthy childhoods possible for Michigan’s children.”

The 10 organizations receiving funding are:

• Calhoun Intermediate School District, $200,000 for expanded Parents as Teachers Home Visiting program.
• Catholic Family Services, $200,000 for expanded Parents as Teachers Home Visiting program.
• Community Assessment Referral & Education, $200,000 for Nurturing Parents & 24/7 Dads program.
• Flint Odyssey House, $181,212 for 24/7 Dads program.
• Midland Kids First, $200,000 for Safe Environment for Every Kid program.
• MI Health Improvement Alliance, $180,212 for expanded Making Parenting a Pleasure program.
• MomsBloom, Inc., $106,880 for Gather & Grow program.
• Northern MI Mobile Child Advocacy Center, $196,86 for Strong Roots program, Fraternity to Fathers & Mom Power.
• Lenawee Intermediate School District, $200,000 for expanded Parents as Teachers Home Visiting program.
• Sanilac Intermediate School District, $200,000 for enhanced Parent as Teachers Home Visiting program.

The purpose of direct services grants is to fund community‐based child abuse prevention programs and services. The grants support families that have risk factors or challenges that could impact positive parenting and optimal child development. The Children’ Trust Fund strongly emphasizes assuring that funded initiatives are appropriately integrated into broader community plans for serving children and families.

Through the newly funded initiatives, combined with other multi‐year grant commitments and the statewide network of local councils, the Children’s Trust Fund distributed more than $2.6 million in 2021 in support of child abuse prevention programming across the 83 counties in Michigan. Visit the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund website to learn more.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 18, 2021

MDHHS CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, wheatonb@michigan.gov 

TREASURY CONTACT: Ron Leix, 517-335-2167, [email protected]

Nearly $32,000 raised at ninth annual Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund event in Detroit

More than 480 foster youth eligible to receive college scholarships

LANSING, Mich. – More than 480 foster youth are eligible to receive college scholarships following the ninth annual Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund Benefit Dinner organized by the Michigan Education Trust (MET) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

Friday evening’s event at the Roostertail along the banks of the Detroit River was attended by approximately 150 guests who raised $31,615 for scholarships through MET, the Michigan Department of Treasury’s 529 prepaid education program. So far this year, MET has raised $38,969 for the scholarships.

Both the fundraiser dinner and raffle will benefit youth who have experienced foster care in Michigan. A partnership between MET and MDHHS makes Fostering Futures Scholarships possible.

“I am proud of the hard work and effort our staff put in each year to make the Fostering Futures Scholarship possible,” said State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks, who spoke at the event. “The extraordinary generosity of our sponsors, donors and guests make the dream of college a reality for students exiting foster care. These dollars provide some help with college costs when there may not be many other options available.

Close to 11,500 youth are in the Michigan foster care system run by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Nationally, fewer than 10% of former foster youth nationally enroll in college after high school and fewer than 3% eventually earn a degree.

During his remarks at the event, Demetrius Starling, executive director of the MDHHS Children’s Services Agency, noted the challenges that youth who experience foster care face in going to college and the important role that the Fostering Futures Scholarship can play.

“Too often these young people are not able to go to college,” Starling said. “Youth that want to go to college deserve an opportunity to pursue a higher education. Some of these young people are here tonight. Please hear me when I say this: We are so proud of you! You are strong, resilient, and capable.”

Carolyn Clifford, anchor for television station WXYZ Channel 7, emceed the event. Keynote speaker Robert E. Thomas – a Detroit native who was in foster care as a child and has experienced success as an engineer and community leader – received the “Making A Difference” award. Thomas also is a foster care consultant.

The Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund provides former foster care students who may not have adequate financial resources to attend college with a scholarship. During the 2021-22 academic year, 487 students at 58 different institutions are eligible for support.

Anyone who could not attend Friday’s event can make donations to the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund by visiting www.FosteringFutures-MI.com. Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund is a Section 170 (c) non-profit organization.  All contributions are eligible for an income tax deduction.

Since 2012, fundraising efforts have totaled more than $1.3 million, with funds awarded as scholarships in the year they were raised.

Above, keynote speaker Robert E. Thomas received the Making a Difference Award at the Fostering Futures Scholarship fundraiser in Detroit. He is shown with, from left, Robin Lott, director of the Michigan Department of Treasury Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning, and Diane Brewer, executive director of MET.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 16, 2021

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

Event to raise funds for child abuse, neglect prevention statewide 

Michigan Children’s Trust Fund 19^th annual Pam Posthumus Signature Auction set for Sept. 28

LANSING, Mich. – Child abuse and neglect prevention supporters can make a difference in the lives of Michigan children and families by taking part in the 19^th annual Pam Posthumus Signature Live Virtual Auction Event Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.

People can help fund child maltreatment prevention programming in all of Michigan’s 83 counties by bidding on sports and concert tickets, travel packages and more.

The event seeks to raise $500,000 in critical funds for the Children’s Trust Fund, which is within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Money raised from the auction pays for programs such as food pantries, safe sleep, shaken baby syndrome prevention, child development support, adverse childhood experiences prevention and more. Additionally, it supports other targeted services that allow local partners around the state to continue to provide education, training, and other child abuse and neglect prevention programs. All private donations and state funding is eligible to be multiplied through Children’s Trust Fund federal funding.

“The Pam Posthumus Signature Auction is a sign of hope for Michigan’s children and families,” Children’s Trust Fund Executive Director Suzanne Greenberg said. “The funding raised through this auction helps strengthen families and communities across the state by educating and supporting them on child safety, health and well-being. Child abuse and neglect is preventable when we work together, and I encourage Michiganders to support this crucial event for kids.”

The auction is named in memory of Pam Posthumus, a tireless advocate for preventing child abuse. Posthumus was appointed to the Children’s Trust Fund Board of Directors in 1997 and became its chair in 2002. The event is made possible by the generosity of the state of Michigan, Michigan Legislature and sponsors such as Cinnaire, DTE, Jackson, and countless other organizations and individuals.

To register for the event or donate, visit https://CTFAuction.cbo.io

To learn more about Children’s Trust Fund (and to learn where the program is near you) and its efforts to end child abuse, visit michigan.go/CTF.

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ABOUT the Children’s Trust Fund Created by the Michigan Legislature in 1982, the Children’s Trust Fund is Michigan’s only statewide nonprofit organization solely dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. The Children’s Trust Fund serves as a voice for Michigan’s children and families and promotes their health, safety and welfare by funding effective local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect.

• Children’s Trust Fund Auction Press Release.pdf

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