MDHHS working on new child welfare technology system

MDHHS working on new child welfare technology system

by | May 4, 2021 | Health and Wellness

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2021                          

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton.  517-241-2112, wheato[email protected]

  MDHHS beginning work on new child welfare technology system that will help improve outcomes for children and families

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and its contractors this week are beginning design work on the first phase of a new child welfare technology system.

The project represents another significant step in the department’s effort to overhaul its technology to better serve children and families and provide reliable data to track the performance of the state’s child welfare system, which involves Children’s Protective Services, foster care, adoption and juvenile justice.

“This change will allow our workers to spend more time with children and families, which is our priority,” said Demetrius Starling, who took over as executive director of the MDHHS Children’s Services Agency Sunday, May 2. “This new system will provide more reliable information technology to the state employees who investigate child abuse and neglect allegations and help youth in foster care and those facing juvenile justice cases. The new system will be easy to navigate and less time-consuming to operate. Those of us in the child welfare field need reliable data to better identify the areas of our work that require more attention and resources. Our number one goal is to protect the safety and well-being of the children and families we serve. A new information system will assist us in this important work.”

The project kickoff includes efforts to gather feedback from users – which include MDHHS and private agency partners child welfare staff – and other stakeholders.

In October 2020 the department secured funding for an information technology contract to begin developing a Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System. In March 2021, MDHHS awarded an IT development contract to Deloitte Consultants, LLP, to design, develop and implement the first module of the new system, which will be used for licensing child welfare agencies and foster families. The contract offers options for the selected vendor to continue with additional modules after proving success in the first module.

Deloitte has implemented Comprehensive Child Welfare Information Systems in two states and is working with two other states on their systems.

MDHHS will replace the current Michigan Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System – commonly known as MiSACWIS – in a phased approach. As the existing system is replaced incrementally one module at a time, the other portions of MiSACWIS will continue to be used. This transition is expected to be completed over four to five years.

Federally funded child welfare systems had been required to collect and submit data through Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information Systems. However, the federal government is now requiring states to move to more modern Comprehensive Child Welfare Information Systems to receive full federal funding. Approximately 50 percent of the cost of the new system will be paid for with federal dollars. New system requirements are intended to allow for greater flexibility and support the use of improved technology to better support child welfare practice.

MDHHS will work with Deloitte to initiate the use of new technology using a Platform-as-a-Service, which would rely at its foundation on technology that is routinely updated and enhanced.

The modular approach is consistent with modern best practice for technology development, and the reliance on Platform-as-a-Service will increase the reliability of the system while reducing costs for development and operations.

The initiation of this transition to new technology aligns well with the other transformations under way in the Children’s Services Agency. With a focus on reform to establish a family well-being child welfare system to provide additional services to prevent placements in foster care and enhance family functioning in the home, many of the agency’s practices are transforming. Developing a child welfare licensing module on new technology offers the opportunity to reimagine business processes and an opportunity for transformation as well.
COVID-19 Clinic Focuses On Individuals With Disabilities

COVID-19 Clinic Focuses On Individuals With Disabilities

by | May 3, 2021 | Health and Wellness

Upcoming COVID-19 Clinic Focuses On Individuals With Disabilities

Pontiac, Michigan – JARC and Oakland County have come together to give individuals with disabilities and others access to COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, May 4. JARC, a non-profit agency dedicated to enabling people with developmental disabilities to live full, dignified lives, will host a vaccine clinic by appointment only at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, 6735 Telegraph Rd. in Bloomfield Hills. To make an appoint with JARC, www.surveymonkey.com/r/39N9JF8.

”We are very grateful to JARC for hosting this clinic to make sure no one is left behind when it comes to getting the COVID vaccine,” Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said. “As we vaccinate more and more people, it’s important that we reach out to all communities to ensure they have opportunities to get vaccinated in a familiar, comfortable location.”

Oakland County Health Division reviewed the remaining registrations on its Save Your Spot list to determine which registrants had marked themselves as living with a disability. The Save Your Spot list is where Oakland County residents can tell the Health Division, they are interested in receiving the COVID vaccine. The Health Division then sent out 1,800 notifications informing them of JARC’s upcoming clinic and how to register. A pharmacy will administer the doses at the clinic.

“JARC is thrilled to work with Oakland County under the leadership of County Executive Coulter to make vaccinations accessible to persons with disabilities and helping to move Michigan toward ending this pandemic,” said Howard Luckoff, president of JARC’s board of directors.

“Detroit Disability Power is beyond thankful to JARC for their leadership in delivering COVID-19 vaccines to Oakland County residents with disabilities, and to residents with disabilities from neighboring counties,” said Jeffrey Nolish, policy director for Detroit Disability Power. “It’s been an honor to partner with them to protect Michiganders during this pandemic and we look forward to working with them in the future.”
To learn more, go to www.JARC.org.

Return-to-Office Workgroup provides recommendations

Return-to-Office Workgroup provides recommendations

by | May 3, 2021 | Health and Wellness

Return-to-Office Workgroup provides recommendations to governor to keep Michiganders safe

April 29, 2021

Media Contact: Jason Moon, 517-282-0041

The State’s Return-to-Office Workgroup has provided Gov. Gretchen Whitmer with their recommendations for how employers can begin to plan for a safe, phased reopening of offices. The group consisting of business, labor and public health experts, was established on March 15, and has acted quickly to develop concise recommendations regarding Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) polices and additional guidance and best practices to help employers plan for a return to in-person office work.

“Workers and their safety are our top priority,” said Michigan COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director Sean Egan. “We have taken a proactive approach to listen and collect feedback from a wide array of stakeholders, as we try to address challenges and concerns of employers who are looking to align their reopen plans with health guidance and safety rules.”

In addition to encouraging employers to be transparent and communicate frequently with employees on phased return-to-office plans, the workgroup’s key recommendations also include:

MIOSHA GUIDANCE

  • Provide additional examples to help to employers interpret and implement MIOSHA guidance.
  • Consider addressing additional questions including:
    • Mentoring and training of employees.
    • Task-based work functions (e.g., some work in-person, some remote).
    • Clarify employer’s ability to update the policy as needed and recognize changing conditions.
    • Consider individual feasibility based on an employee’s ability to successfully complete their functions remotely (e.g., classification may be remote, but individually employee either struggles or does not have the tools/ability to function remotely).
    • Consider collaboration and team functions.
    • Consider employee well-being/mental health.
  • Consider communicating that more in-person work is permitted.

MDHHS Guidance:

  • Provide ongoing updates to the Nov. 6 guidance as necessary and regularly to reflect current trends of vaccination and infection.

Employers – Reducing Office Density:

  • Focus on task-based collaboration and specific needs for in-person work while allowing other tasks and teamwork to be completed remotely when feasible.
  • Consider utilizing hybrid work strategies to promote social distancing.

Employers – Addressing Operational Obstacles:

  • Daily Health Screenings – stagger entry times to avoid congregation at screening checkpoints, consider using screening apps to provide prior to entry.
  • Entry/exit through common entrances and elevators – stagger start and end times as practical to avoid congregation.

Employers – Quarantine, Isolation and Testing Guidelines:

  • Ensure policy clearly articulates the ability of employees to quarantine/isolate/test without risk of job loss.
  • Promote the use of sick leave tax credits available for employers with 500 or fewer employees to provide paid leave.

Employers – Caregiving Resources for Employees:

  • Establish a return policy that provides employees with caregiving obligations to continue remote work regardless of the cohort group returning, including caregiving of immuno-compromised persons.
  • Promote the use of family leave tax credits available for employers with 500 or fewer employees to provide paid leave.

Employers – Vaccines:

  • Provide up-to-date information to employees on the vaccines.
  • Provide links to vaccination sites/sign-up information.
  • Consider partnering where possible with local public health to offer on-site vaccination.
  • Add COVID-19 vaccination to existing wellness programs and benchmarks.

These recommendations come at a time when workplace safety remains a concern. As reported to MDHHS by local public health departments, office workplaces had 385 COVID-19 outbreaks from September 3, 2020 through April 22, 2021, making office settings the fifth highest for outbreaks among the 22 settings being reported. This data demonstrates the need for a strong partnership between diverse stakeholders and subject matter experts who can help develop a phased return-to-office work strategy that ensures the protection of Michiganders.

“As a small business owner, I appreciate the commitment, dedication and strategic planning that the Whitmer Administration has shown,” said Tameka Ramsey, owner, T. Ramsey & Associates. “The LEO team has done an amazing job ensuring that all businesses are being heard and represented in creating policies on returning back to the office during this time. This group of experts has worked collectively to make sure that employees and customers are safe as we slowly reopen.”

“I’m impressed by how well everyone worked together,” Dr. Kate Birdsall, president, MSU Union of Nontenure-Track Faculty, AFT said. “Each member of the team brought valuable insight to our weekly meetings, where we collaborated to ensure the continued health and safety of Michiganders as the state prepares to reopen more fully.”

The workgroup consulted a variety of data including MDHHS public health data, MIOSHA information, local economic impact data, and best practice information provided by members of the workgroup.”

In addition to the workgroup’s efforts on return-to-office work, LEO has recently held several feedback sessions with legislative leaders, small businesses and representatives from many business sectors including financial services, manufacturing, legal and insurance services.

The advisory group complements the collaborative work that MIOSHA and other state agencies are currently performing with businesses in the field. This work includes the MIOSHA Ambassador Program where over 3,700 businesses have been provided free education and one-on-one guidance to understand regulations on workplace safety.

To learn more about the efforts to support a safe reopening in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDWorkplaceSafety.

MDHHS awards grant for behavioral health services

MDHHS awards grant for behavioral health services

by | Apr 28, 2021 | Health and Wellness

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 28, 2021

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

MDHHS awards grant to develop and implement

statewide system of behavioral health mediation services

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has awarded Oakland Mediation Center a grant to develop and implement a statewide system of local mediation services to resolve disputes related to behavioral health services provided by Community Mental Health Services Programs (CMHSP) and their contract providers. 

MDHHS Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Administration and MDHHS Office of Recipient Rights have partnered with community and advocacy partners to ensure that all people receiving publicly funded behavioral health services in Michigan have access to an independent mediation process to resolve concerns about their services and treatment. Currently, the CMHSP system serves more than 230,000 Michigan residents and the CMHSP Customer Services and Recipient Rights Departments receive a variety of inquiries and questions related to treatment planning and behavioral health services.

The use of mediation as a first step in the dispute resolution process fosters better treatment relationships and provides for a timelier agreement on what supports and services will be provided by the responsible mental health agency.

“The use of mediation has a proven record of successful outcomes in resolving disputes and allows the patient to be an active participant,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “It is exciting that we are able to provide mediation services to resolve complex behavioral health treatment needs in a meaningful way by bringing all parties to the table.”

“We are honored to have been awarded this grant to provide a vital alternative to resolving service disputes for behavioral health service complaints,” said Charity Burke, executive director of Oakland Mediation Center. “Within the next few months, we will be working with our counterparts across the state, MDHHS and local officials to ensure this program is offered to people that need their voices heard and conflicts resolved.” 

The project funded by this grant is expected to be fully implemented by September 2021.
Michigan Infant Mortality Lowest in Recorded History

Michigan Infant Mortality Lowest in Recorded History

by | Apr 27, 2021 | Health and Wellness

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 27, 2021

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

Michigan Infant Mortality Lowest in Recorded History

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan has achieved a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to keep mothers and babies safe. In 2019, data shows that Michigan had both the lowest Infant Mortality Rate in recorded history and a measurable decrease in the disparity of death occurrences between Black and white races.

Recent data released by the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Epidemiology Section of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) shows an Infant Mortality Rate for 2019 of 6.4 per 1,000 live births and a reduction of the Black and white infant mortality disparity ratio of 3.2 in 2018 to 2.6 in 2019.

Infant mortality is considered the death of an infant before reaching the age of one. Causes of infant mortality included birth defects, preterm birth, maternal pregnancy complications, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and injuries like suffocation.

The decreasing disparity ratio is good news for Michigan, but leaders in state and local public health continue striving to eradicate disparities. Michigan continues to address root causes of maternal and infant health disparities, which aligns with the 2030 Healthy People goal set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to eliminate racial disparities in infant deaths.

“It is encouraging that Michigan achieved an all-time low infant mortality rate in 2019, as well as the fact that we are starting to see a decreasing trend in the infant mortality disparity ratio between Black and white infants,” said Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health. “Vigilance and intentionality in our efforts must continue for us to remain on course. We must continue to address the root cause of inequities — systemic racism moving collectively and actionably, as we celebrate the lowest infant mortality rate of record and closing disparate gaps in our fight to assure healthy outcomes for Michigan mothers and babies.”

In September 2019, MDHHS announced the release of the 2020-2023, Mother Infant Health & Equity Improvement Plan (MIHEIP). The Improvement Plan includes comprehensive statewide strategies to improve the health of mothers and babies to achieve the vision of Zero Preventable Deaths and Zero Health Disparities.

To learn more about infant mortality, visit the CDC website.
Stand UP for kids: Child Abuse Prevention Month

Stand UP for kids: Child Abuse Prevention Month

by | Apr 21, 2021 | Health and Wellness

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 21, 2021 

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

Gov. Whitmer, MDHHS Children’s Trust Fund ask Michiganders to Stand UP for kids during Child Abuse Prevention Month
Virtual program to spread important message 

LANSING, Mich. – The message is being delivered virtually this year, but it remains the same: Everyone in Michigan must Stand UP for kids to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued a proclamation declaring April to be Child Abuse Prevention Month in Michigan. The Children’s Trust Fund within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is spreading the prevention message.

“Preventing child abuse is a community responsibility,” Gov. Whitmer said. “I will continue to work with MDHHS and the Children’s Trust Fund to protect our children so they can grow up safe and realize their dreams. Our children represent the future of Michigan, and I invite all Michiganders to Stand UP for kids in April and every month.”

The Children’s Trust Fund is sponsoring social media events and programming during April. Today on Wednesday, April 21, the Children’s Trust Fund will host a virtual Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Day event with videos featuring Gov. Whitmer, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, its Board of Directors, and others to bring awareness to the importance of preventing child maltreatment in Michigan. Watch the 8:30 a.m. event on Facebook Live.

Please visit the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund Facebook page and Twitter account to view postings and videos in celebration of Child Abuse Prevention Month throughout the day today. This year’s event is being done virtually instead of in-person to protect against the spread of COVID-19.

Michigan’s Child Abuse Prevention Awareness events will highlight two messages. First, Michigan will continue the statewide initiative campaign inviting all Michiganders to Stand UP for Children. Second, blue and silver pinwheels will continue to be the symbol for child abuse prevention. Each pinwheel signifies the free spirit of a happy childhood.-

“The Children’s Trust Fund is dedicated to working with our locally based prevention partners in each county across the state to serve as a voice for Michigan children and their families,” said Suzanne Greenberg, Executive Director of the Children’s Trust Fund. “We must all Stand UP to promote the health, safety and well-being of our children by investing in and supporting local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect.”

Last year 26,912 Michigan children were confirmed victims of abuse or neglect.

The Children’s Trust Fund was established by the Michigan Legislature in 1982 through Public Act 249 of 1982 and Public Act 250 of 1982.  It serves as a voice for Michigan’s children and families and promotes their health, safety and welfare.

For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/CTF.