Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2021

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

Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaims May 28 as Heat Stroke Prevention Awareness Day

LANSING, Mich. – Concerted efforts are being made in Michigan to increase public awareness on the dangers of heat stroke through exposure to high temperatures. As a result, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is proclaiming May 28, 2021, as Heat Stroke Prevention Awareness Day.

Heat stroke occurs when the body overheats, usually due to exposure to high temperatures. Most heat stroke deaths in vehicles are among children age five and under, and more than half of those deaths are in children under the age of two. Since 1998, there have been at least 882 deaths of children in the United States, 10 of which were in Michigan.

“Studies show that incidents can occur on days even with mild temperatures such as 70 degrees, and the temperature in vehicles can become life-threatening very quickly,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). “Children are less able to maintain a consistent internal body temperature, and their bodies warm at a rate three to five times faster than an adult. Never leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car, even if windows are cracked open.”

Heat-related deaths in vehicles are 100% preventable, and Michigan Penal Code prohibits a person responsible for the care or welfare of a child under age six unattended in a vehicle for a period of time which may risk harm or injury to the child.

The CDC recommends taking the following steps to avoid heat stroke and heat-related illnesses:

• Stay hydrated, drink plenty of fluids, and stay away from very sugary or alcoholic drinks.
• Replace salt and minerals: heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from your skin. A sports drink can replace lost salt and minerals from sweating.
• Stay informed: check your local news for extreme heat alerts.
• Know the signs of heat-related illness.

MDHHS Injury and Violence Prevention Program will continue to collect data and monitor incidents of vehicle-related and heat stroke-related deaths in children.

Mental health is just as important as physical health, but finding the resources to deal with anxiety, depression, or any mental health issue isn’t an easy task. Throughout this pandemic, there’s been a focus on staying physically healthy, but we can’t forget that support for mental wellbeing is just as important.

May is Mental Health Month and we wanted to let you know about some free mental health resources that are available to you. 

Virtual support groups

Mental health professionals from the state’s health department are running free, online support groups. You can join a group of your peers from the comfort of your own home. There are groups specifically for teens, older adults, parents, educators, frontline workers and those using substances to cope with pandemic stress. Click here to learn more and register to join.

Get connected with a Mental Health Center in your community

You can find more information about community health centers near you by visiting this page.

Help is a phone call (or text) away

The state of Michigan runs several hotlines for people dealing with different kinds of mental health struggles:

• To talk with someone about distress caused by the pandemic, call 1-888-535-6136 and press “8”
• If you are living with serious mental illness or substance use challenges and feel it will help lower your stress if you talk with someone who understands these issues, call 888-733-7753.
• If you or someone you know is struggling, get help from the national suicide prevention lifeline at: 1-800-273-8255
• If you are experiencing emotional stress and anxiety but are more comfortable texting than talking, get help from the Michigan Crisis Text Line by texting the keyword RESTORE to 741741.

Looking for more resources? Check out all of the mental health resources the state has to offer — there’s everything from webinars for those experiencing burnout or unemployment to videos for folks experiencing conflict at home.

This pandemic has taken a heavy toll when it comes to mental health and it’s never been more important to reduce the stigma around this kind of care and to share resources that can help. If you or a loved one is struggling, there is help.

-Office of Rep. Slotkin

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 17, 2021 

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

More Michigan households are eligible for additional food assistance
in response to COVID-19 

LANSING, Mich. – The number of Michigan families eligible for additional food assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be increasing in May with everyone who is eligible now receiving an increased amount, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced.

An additional 350,000 families will receive the extra food assistance under approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, bringing the total in Michigan receiving extra benefits due to the pandemic to more than 700,000.

“Michigan has made great progress towards getting ‘Vacc to Normal’ thanks to the safe, effective vaccines and efforts by millions of Michiganders who have gone above and beyond through the pandemic,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “However, many families are still facing food insecurity due to the health and economic challenges of the last 14 months. No one should go hungry in Michigan, especially in the midst of a pandemic, and I am proud of this step we are taking to continue helping families put food on the table.”

Beginning this month, all households that receive food assistance benefits, will be eligible for the additional amount. Previously families already receiving the maximum monthly amount of assistance were not eligible for additional benefits, while others received an increase bringing 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.

Michigan previously approved the additional food assistance beginning in March 2020 – and now that is being extended for May 2021 with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. Households eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in May to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size. This change only applies to customers not currently receiving the maximum benefit amount.

Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card May 15-25. Additional benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance that is provided earlier in the month.

More than 1.3 million people in Michigan receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the state’s Food Assistance Program.

“We have worked with our federal partners throughout the pandemic to provide more access to food assistance because no one should have to worry about feeding their families – especially during these challenging times, said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “I appreciate the USDA for working with us to help families who are need.”

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: May 17, 2021

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

MAAS CONTACT: Laura Biehl, 248-921-5008, [email protected]

Governor Whitmer proclaims May 16-22 as
Michigan EMS Recognition Week
Week honors first responders on the front lines of the pandemic 

LANSING, Mich. – As a thank you to the emergency medical service personnel on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed May 16-22 as Michigan EMS Recognition Week.

“As an emergency medicine physician I know how important our EMS heroes are in the community and the critical role they plan when Michiganders are in need,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “Michigan EMS professionals have gone above and beyond the call of duty during this pandemic and deserve our recognition for their tireless dedication.”

Michigan EMS providers stand ready to help residents in any type of emergency, completely focused on saving the lives of others. Their efforts help improve the survival and recovery rates of people who experience sudden illness or injury.

“Michigan EMS is proud to be serving on the front lines of the pandemic, providing lifesaving health care and public safety services to Michigan residents,” said Jack Fisher, president of the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services and executive director of Medic 1 Ambulance in Berrien County. “We stand ready to help Michiganders in need of medical assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and appreciate the recognition during EMS Week.”

EMS fills critical health care gaps by providing important out-of-hospital care, including preventative medicine, follow-up care and access to telemedicine. EMS agencies have played an essential role during the pandemic, reducing hospital stays by treating COVID-19 patients at home when possible.

Michigan is home to 28,820 EMS providers, 812 life support agencies and more than 3,867 licensed life support vehicles, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of EMS, Trauma and Preparedness. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/ems.