Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2021

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

MDHHS issues COVID-19 school guidance
to help keep kids and teachers healthy

LANSING, Mich. – Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued recommendations for schools to help prevent transmission of COVID-19 within school buildings in an effort to reduce disruptions to in-person learning and help protect those who are not fully vaccinated.

“I am pleased with the progress of our vaccination efforts in Michigan, with 56% of Michiganders age 12 and older having received at least their first dose of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “These vaccines are the reason transmission of the virus in Michigan is at the lowest point in a year. However, as the school environment brings together large groups of individuals who may not yet be vaccinated, MDHHS is issuing this guidance to help protect Michiganders of all ages.”

To help schools prepare for the return of people to indoor settings in the fall, the guidance outlines mitigation measures designed to protect students, teachers and staff, and maintain in-person learning. Schools can layer multiple prevention strategies developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reduce transmission of the virus within school buildings.

This will help minimize disruptions to in-person learning and help protect the people who are not fully vaccinated, which currently includes all children under the age of 12 years. All prevention strategies provide some level of protection, and layered strategies implemented at the same time provide the greatest level of protection.

Key prevention strategies in schools include:

1. Promoting COVID-19 vaccination for eligible staff and students.
2. Correctly and consistently using well-fitted masks that cover the nose and mouth. CDC recommendations for when to wear a mask in school settings.
3. Social Distancing: Physical distancing, including cohorting children together to reduce potential exposures.
4. COVID-19 Screening, Testing and Contact Tracing
   • Encouraging students and staff to stay home if sick or having COVID-19 symptoms.
   • Encouraging students and staff to get tested for COVID-19 if having symptoms or if they are not fully vaccinated and are a close contact of someone who has COVID-19.
   • Conducting screening
   • Implementing contact tracingand quarantine, collaborating with the local health department.
5. Maintaining Healthy Environments
   • Promoting handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes.
   • Routine cleaning to help maintain healthy facilities.
   • Avoiding crowded and/or poorly ventilated indoor activities (e.g., engaging in outdoor activities when possible and increasing ventilation for indoor activities).

Michigan residents seeking more information about the COVID-19 vaccine can visit Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine.  The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 23, 2021

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

New legislation introduced to combat the opioid epidemic
Bills will expand availability of medications in emergency departments
and naloxone standing order to community organizations

LANSING, Mich. – A bi-partisan package of bills to combat the opioid epidemic in Michigan was announced today by Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist; Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS); Sen. Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington), Sen. Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), Rep. Mary Whiteford (R-Casco Township), Rep. Angela Witwer (D-Delta Township), the Michigan Health and Hospital Association and the Michigan Opioid Partnership (MOP).

The legislation will expand availability of treatment for opioid use disorder in emergency departments and access to naloxone, the life-saving drug that can reverse overdoses, to community-based organizations.

“This epidemic touches every area of our state and we are losing nearly five Michiganders every single day to opioid overdoses,” said Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist. “This legislation will help bring us closer to ending this epidemic by expanding access to treatment and to life-saving medications which can increase their chances of a successful recovery and prevent additional tragedies among our families.”

In 2018 and 2019, Michigan saw a moderate decline in the number of opioid-related overdoses. In 2019, total drug overdose deaths – which includes opioids and unspecified substances – decreased by 9.4 percent to 2,354 deaths  and opioid-related deaths fell by 13.2 percent to 1,768 deaths.

In 2020, the challenges of the COVID-19 global pandemic, such as increased social isolation and decreased access to treatment services, exacerbated the already deadly drug overdose epidemic. Provisional 2020 data shows an increase in total drug overdose deaths in Michigan. Preliminary data for January-June 2020 show 1,340 overdose deaths – up from 1,155 in those same months in 2019, an increase of 16%. Similarly, opioid-related overdose deaths increased from 874 in the first half of 2019 to 1,045 in the same period in 2020, an increase of 20%.

Two bills will expand availability of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in emergency departments and improve referral to treatment. Through this legislation, hospitals that treat over 50 overdoses a year will receiving funding to build capacity to offer MOUDs. The bills build on a foundation of existing work with the MOP to expand treatment in emergency departments since 2019. Currently, 19 hospitals across nine health systems are participating in this work.

“Michigan hospitals are committed to being part of the solution to the opioid epidemic that has impacted every community in Michigan,” said Brian Peters, Michigan Health & Hospital Association CEO. “These available resources for hospitals to provide MOUDs within their communities will help ensure patients receive the most appropriate care and treatment for their individual healthcare needs.”

“Thousands of Michigan families in nearly every community in our state have seen the devastating effects of opioid addiction and abuse. It’s a national and statewide fight that needs a comprehensive effort to win,” said Senator VanderWall. “This reform will ensure that our state and our health care providers are doing everything possible to save lives and also connect patients to effective treatment.”

“The opioid crisis has devastated communities and destroyed the lives of far too many all across our state,” said Representative Witwer. “These medications for opioid use disorder save lives. This past year has shown us what we can achieve if everyone comes together to fight a public health emergency. It’s time to use this same approach to combating the opioid crisis. Expanding access is one critical step to ending this epidemic.”

Additional legislation will expand Michigan’s naloxone standing order to allow community organizations to access the lifesaving overdose reversal drug naloxone. Currently, the standing order allows for naloxone to be dispensed from a pharmacist, similar to over-the-counter medications, and restricts community-based organizations from accessing naloxone. Since 2017, more than 20,000 doses of naloxone have been dispensed under the standing order.

“Having naloxone on hand can make the difference between someone living or dying from an overdose and getting it into the hands of people who are most likely to be able to save a life is important,” said Dr. Khaldun. “Naloxone saves thousands of lives each year by reversing the effects of an opioid overdose and this legislation will help prevent fatal overdoses by distributing naloxone more widely across our state.”

“The progress that we’ve seen fighting against the opioid epidemic has been impeded in part due to the immediate public health crisis in COVID-19. It’s important that we continue thinking of those suffering from substance use disorders (SUDs) and their loved ones as we come out of the pandemic,” said Senator Brinks. “I am proud to be part of this bipartisan group who are introducing legislation that continues Michigan’s fight against SUDs, as there is plenty of important work yet to do.”

“Families in Michigan continue to struggle with our opiate crisis,” said Representative Whiteford. “My hope is that these bills will move us closer to a state free from the suffering of addiction.”

For more information and resources, visit Michigan.gov/Opioids.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 11, 2021 

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

All Michigan households eligible for food assistance
will receive additional payment in June 

LANSING, Mich. – All Michigan families who are eligible for food assistance benefits will receive an additional payment in June in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced.

Close to 700,000 Michigan households will benefit under approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service

June is the second month that all Michigan households will receive the additional benefits. Previously – beginning in April 2020 – families already receiving the maximum monthly amount of assistance were not eligible for additional COVID-19 emergency benefits, while others received an increase that brought them to the maximum monthly allotment.

Now all households will receive an increase of at least $95 monthly, even if they are already receiving the maximum payment or are close to that amount. Households that received over $95 to bring them to the maximum payment for their group size will continue to receive that larger amount.

Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card from June 12-22. Additional benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance that is provided earlier in the month.

“As we continue to return to normal, it’s important to note that there are still many people who are struggling due to the global pandemic,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “MDHHS believes it is critically important to help people feed their families.”

More than 1.2 million people in Michigan receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the state’s Food Assistance Program.

Below are the maximum allowable benefits for SNAP customers based on their respective household size:

• One Person: $234
• Two Persons: $430
• Three Persons: $616
• Four Persons: $782
• Five Persons: $929
• Six Persons: $1,114
• Seven Persons: $1,232
• Eight Persons: $1,408

The federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges or calling a consumer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.

Customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Spanish and Arabic service is available. If you are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing or speech-impaired, call the Michigan Relay Center at 7-1-1.

Information around the COVID-19 outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 9, 2021

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

More than 25 Michigan schools recognized for centering
child and adolescent health even during crisis

LANSING, Mich. – In recognition of teachers, administrators, health champions, community members and students taking initiative to build healthier school environments, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is recognizing 28 Michigan schools for fostering healthy eating, physical activity habits and tobacco-free lifestyles, and impacting more than 14,000 students during the 2020-2021 school year.

“Recognizing these schools is more important than ever this year given the challenges we faced together,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “The schools being recognized today navigated challenges to go above and beyond to meet the critical health needs of growing children and youth through opportunities to participate in physical activity, nutritious school meals and snacks, and nutrition and health education in-person and remotely.”

The Michigan School Wellness Award program is a collaboration with MDHHS, Michigan Department of Education, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, United Dairy Industry of Michigan and the Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan Coalition.

“Keeping children’s bodies and minds strong through proper nutrition and exercise helps them stay focused in school to achieve academic and personal success,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “Wellness lessons learned at school and home can last a child’s lifetime.”

The Michigan School Wellness Award program aims to engage schools statewide in creating healthy environments by establishing School Wellness Teams, completing the Healthy School Action Tools, and implementing sustainable policy and environmental changes. Schools that have achieved all of these elements are recognized with the top-level Gold award.

This year’s winners laud such achievements as offering health and physical education in both traditional and virtual settings and supporting school staff so they could be at their best for the students. The winners of this year’s School Wellness Awards include:

Gold

• Almont Middle School, Almont
• Auburn Elementary School, Auburn Hills
• Brookside Elementary School, Big Rapids
• David Ellis Academy, Detroit
• Dudley STEM, Battle Creek
• East Leroy Elementary School, East Leroy
• Fremont International Academy, Battle Creek
• Highland Pines School, Caro
• Jesse L. Anderson Elementary School, Trenton
• John D. Pierce Middle School, Waterford
• Lamora Park School, Battle Creek
• Pennfield North School, Battle Creek
• Pennfield Purdy School, Battle Creek
• Post Franklin Elementary School, Battle Creek
• Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy, Detroit
• Valley View Elementary School, Battle Creek
• Vassar High School, Vassar

Silver

• Ann J. Kellogg School, Battle Creek
• Bentley Middle School, Burton
• Boyne City Middle School, Boyne City
• Galesburg-Augusta Middle School, Augusta
• Grass Lake Middle School, Grass Lake
• Marquette Elementary School, Detroit
• J. DeJonge Junior High School, Ludington
• Charles Borromeo Catholic School, Coldwater
• Swan Valley Middle School, Saginaw
• Vista Charter Academy, Wyoming

Bronze

• Henry Ford II High School, Sterling Heights

To apply for the program, schools provide information about nutrition, physical education/activity and tobacco-free practices, and submit at least one success story.

To view school award winners and learn more about the School Wellness Award Program, please visit swa.mihealthtools.org/. 

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2021 

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

MDHHS shares improvements to Michigan’s child welfare system 

Court appearance highlights continued reform that protects youth, helps families 

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and court-appointed federal monitors today shared continued significant improvements made to the state’s child welfare system.

Accomplishments continue under the administration of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who took office in January 2019. Today’s updates came during a virtual federal court hearing to address progress during the first six months of 2020 – when the state made inroads even amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, MDHHS child welfare staff continued to make important regular contacts with children under state care, using technology to meet with children virtually even when they could not meet in person. From March to June 2020, 97% of monthly worker visits with children in foster care occurred.

“MDHHS and its Children’s Services Agency remain dedicated to accomplishing the priorities that have been in place based on the department’s agreement with the court,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “They include strongly focusing on child safety and well-being in foster homes and child-caring institutions, maintaining family connections, ensuring we find suitable permanent homes for children in a timely fashion, and continuing to shift child welfare toward a more prevention-focused framework.”

In June 2019 – five months after Whitmer took office – Judge Nancy G. Edmunds of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan approved a new agreement that streamlined the monitoring process, allowing MDHHS to devote more resources to directly supporting children and families.

During the six-month period covered by the new court monitoring report, Michigan improved data collected by the state’s child welfare technology system. That provides staff with better information to keep children safe and families together. The state also improved its performance by meeting the standard for timely completion of Children’s Protective Services investigations of reported child abuse or neglect.

Today’s court appearance was the first for Demetrius Starling as the new executive director of the department’s Children’s Services Agency.

“I also want to commend the state for what seems to be a very energetic start to the work that Director Hertel and Director Starling are supervising and overseeing,” Judge Edmunds said. “I’m glad to see that the department is taking a really aggressive approach to resolving these outstanding problems.”

Starling took over last month following the departure of JooYeun Chang, who received praise from the court for her reform efforts.

“I was inspired by the progress we made under the leadership of former director Chang,” Starling said. “I am dedicated to building on our progress. We are committed to addressing the needs of Michigan’s most vulnerable children. Michigan has made significant strides in improving safety for children in care as a result of our continued meaningful collaboration with private child welfare agency partners and community stakeholders. That will remain a top priority. If we do that, Michigan eventually will be able to exit federal court oversight.”

The report released today by the court monitors shows Michigan met commitments for:

• Generating from its child welfare information system accurate and timely reports and information regarding the requirements in the court agreement.
• 90% of all investigations of reported child abuse or neglect to be completed within the required time frames.
• 95% of foster care workers to have caseloads of 15 or fewer children.

In addition, MDHHS has further made progress in priority areas mentioned during last year’s court appearance. That includes continuing to take steps to reduce maltreatment of children in foster care and provide increased support to relative caregivers so they can keep children safe.

The department also has made additional progress in updating the child welfare technology system that is used by caseworkers and used to track data to report to the court that demonstrates improvements. The department is beginning to transition to a new information technology system. “We know that the top priority for child welfare staff is engaging directly with families and children instead of being hindered by an outdated technology system,” Starling said.

MDHHS also shared with the court today comprehensive reform actions the department has taken in the wake of the death of a child who was improperly restrained by staff at a child-caring institution in Kalamazoo in May 2020. That includes restricting the use of restraints in facilities, reducing the number of youth in child-caring facilities by placing children in more family-like settings or reunifying them safely with their families more quickly and creating a task force that recommended reform of child-caring facilities.

To view the latest federal court monitor report and other information, go to www.michigan.gov/ChildWelfareAgreement.