by Becky Andrus | Sep 1, 2021 | Regional News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gov. Whitmer Proclaims September as Hispanic Heritage Month
LANSING, Mich. — Governor Whitmer is celebrating Michigan’s Hispanic population by proclaiming September 2021 as Hispanic Heritage Month.
“Michigan’s Hispanic and Latino residents are an essential part of our state’s cultural and economic fabric,” said Governor Whitmer. “I am proud to proclaim September as Hispanic Heritage month and celebrate alongside a community filled with rich tradition as we continue to ensure that Michigan is a welcoming and inclusive place for all.”
“Governor Whitmer’s proclamation establishing September as Hispanic Heritage Month is very exciting! Michigan’s Hispanic population is dedicated to building Michigan’s future, and we are honored to have a Month of official celebration,” said Jesse Venegas, Chair, Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “We will take this opportunity to continue to celebrate the contributions of Hispanics in Arts, Sciences, Labor, Agriculture, Business, and Civil Rights. The Hispanic and Latino community in Michigan is woven with many threads from many nations and cultures, but we all stand together as Michiganders! Adelante!”
“The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce applauds the efforts of our state government to proclaim September Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Guillermo Cisneros, President and CEO, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “This is a great recognition from our government to the hundreds of thousands of Latinos that are in Michigan contributing to the economy and making an impact in the community.”
“Hispanic/Latinos have a long history of contributions in all areas, cultural, economics, art, science, and technology to this great state of Michigan,” said Monica Reyes, Executive Director, Great Lakes Bay Hispanic Leadership Institute. “It is only fitting that we celebrate the generations of Hispanic Latino families that continue to contribute and enrich our state beyond measure.”
The month of September recognizes and celebrates the contributions of Hispanic and Latinos in Michigan and the United States. Michigan’s Hispanic and Latino population has grown from 2010 to 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Hispanics and Latinos make up 5.6% of the state’s residents, up from 4.4% in 2010.
View the full proclamation here.
|
by Becky Andrus | Sep 1, 2021 | Regional News
Oakland County Holding COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics for School-Age and College Students
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County is holding school-based COVID-19 vaccine clinics as students return to classes this month. The Oakland County Health Division will also administer COVID-19 vaccine at the Arts, Beats and Eats Festival in Royal Oak Labor Day weekend. Public health nurses will be on hand at 301 W. 4th St. from noon – 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 3 – Monday, September 6 to vaccinate individuals on a walk-in basis. For more information, go to OaklandCountyVaccine.com.
The Health Division is offering school-based clinics to school-age and college students because there are 51,000 Oakland County residents from the ages of 12 to 19 years old who have not received their COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, there are about 66,000 residents 20-29 years old who are not immunized. Greater than one in three new COVID-19 cases in Oakland County from August 16-29 were residents 29 years and younger.
The county will hold a walk-in clinic at the Troy School District Service Building on Thursday, September 9 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at 4420 Livernois Rd. On Friday, September 10, there will be another clinic at the Rochester Community Schools Administration Building at 601 W. University Dr. from 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Oakland County Health Division is working closely with Oakland County colleges and universities including Lawrence Technological University, Oakland Community College, Oakland University, and Rochester University to offer COVID-19 vaccines to their students over the next two months.
The Oakland County Health Division is holding daily vaccine clinics from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at both its North Oakland Health Center in Pontiac and South Oakland Health Center in Southfield in addition to pop-up clinics in the community. Click on OaklandCountyVaccine.com to locate the nearest Health Division vaccine clinic. Those who do not have access to the Internet may call the Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. for more information.
The following is an update on progress vaccinating Oakland County residents, according to the State of Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard as of August 31, 2021:
Total eligible residents 16 and older: 1,029,737
- Number of residents 16 and older who have received first dose: 746,382
- Number of residents 16 and older who have completed vaccination: 693,159
- Vaccine coverage for residents 16 and older: 72.5 percent
Total eligible residents 12 and older: 1,091,389
- Number of residents 12 and older who have received first dose: 778,694
- Number of residents 12 years and older who have completed vaccination: 721,172
- Vaccine coverage for residents 12 and older: 71.3 percent
Total eligible senior residents 65 and older: 217,676
- Number of senior residents who have received first dose: 187,529
- Number of senior residents who have completed vaccination: 178,973
- Vaccine coverage for senior residents: 86.2 percent
Total doses distributed within Oakland County: 1,512,805
- Total doses administered within Oakland County: 1,445,176
- Percentage of doses administered within Oakland County: 95.5%
Clinics and Doses 090121 FINAL.pdf
by Becky Andrus | Aug 31, 2021 | Regional News
Board Healthy Aging Ad Hoc Committee, Area Agency on Aging 1-B hosting town halls to identify gaps in senior services
August 31, 2021, OAKLAND COUNTY, MI. – The Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ Healthy Aging Oakland County Ad Hoc Committee will be hosting four town halls throughout Oakland County, in partnership with the Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B), to identify gaps in services for senior residents. Officials from the committee and AAA 1-B will provide a brief presentation on areas of need and opportunity for senior programming. Following the presentation, participants will be invited to complete a survey to provide their input, which will be used to address the challenges and opportunities created by the aging of the county’s senior population.
“If we’re looking to make life easier for older adults, we have to make sure we’re listening to their questions and concerns during the process,” Commissioner Kristen Nelson (D-Waterford Twp.), who chairs the committee, said. “I’m excited to get to know our communities better and help such a large portion of our residents.”
The town halls will be hosted in person. Attendees can attend in person or remotely. No registration is required, and the agenda will be the same for all meetings. The host organizations are inviting any Oakland County senior to complete a feedback survey, which will also be distributed at the town halls.
“We are grateful that the Board of Commissioners is committed to improving the quality of life for older Oakland County residents and their family caregivers,” Michael Karson, AAA 1-B CEO, said. “I encourage seniors and stakeholders to attend and share your ideas on how we can make Oakland County a better place for us to live, retire, and age in place.”
The town halls will take place:
- 10 a.m., Thursday, September 23
City Council Chamber
45175 W. 10 Mile Rd.
Novi, MI 48375
|
- 1:30 p.m., Thursday, September 23
Senior Community Center-Bartsch Hall
6000 Clarkston Rd.
Independence Township, MI 48348
|
- 10 a.m., Friday, September 24
Orion Center
1335 Joslyn Rd.
Lake Orion, MI 48360
|
- 1 p.m., Friday, September 24
Community Center – Room 304
3179 Livernois Rd.
Troy, MI 48083
|
Those who wish to attend remotely can do so at the time of their chosen meeting using the below information.
For more information about the Board of Commissioners, please visit
www.oakgov.com/boc or call 248- 858-0100.
by Becky Andrus | Aug 30, 2021 | Regional News
Governor Whitmer on Loss of U.S. Service Members in Afghanistan
LANSING, Mich.—Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the following statement after the loss of American troops in a deadly bombing attack in Kabul, Afghanistan.
“Earlier today, terrorists killed 12 American service members, at least 60 Afghans, and injured hundreds at the airport in Kabul.
“Our men and women in uniform represent the best of us. They put their lives on the line to keep us safe and help those in danger. This devastating loss leaves a hole in all of our hearts. Every Michigander is thinking of our fallen and wounded service members and their families. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and honor the memory of the extraordinary Americans we lost today.
“We are praying for the safety of those still on the ground in Afghanistan continuing the mission.”
|
by Becky Andrus | Aug 30, 2021 | Regional News
Governor Whitmer Applauds School Districts Implementing Smart Mask Policies
A majority of Michigan students now covered by a mask requirement, ensuring safe, in-person learning
LANSING, Mich.—Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the following statement after Wayne County announced a mask requirement for schools, which brings the total number of school districts in Michigan with a mask policy to 179, covering more than 674,000 students or 53.8% of students in traditional public schools in Michigan.
“After 19 months of COVID, the science is clear: vaccines and masks keep kids safe and help them continue learning in person.
“On vaccines, the message is simple: every eligible Michigander 12 and older should get their safe, effective, and FDA-approved, vaccine to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their community.
“On masks, both the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC have strongly recommended that districts require masks for students, teachers, and staff in schools regardless of vaccination status because it will allow them everyone to stay safe while continuing to learn and grow in-person. I agree with our top health experts.
“As of today, 179 districts totaling over 53% of Michigan students, are covered by mask requirements implemented by their school district or local county health department. That number has increased substantially over the last few weeks, and we expect to see that trend continue as the first day of school approaches.
“Districts and local public health leaders should keep working together to implement mask guidelines and create buy-in at the community level, which leads to better outcomes and better adherence to policies that keep kids, teachers, staff, and parents safe.
“Together, we can protect ourselves from COVID and ensure kids keep learning in-person.”
|
by Becky Andrus | Aug 26, 2021 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Secures $13 Million Grant for Rural Hospitals in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) secured a $13 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration for 51 small, rural hospitals in Michigan to support COVID-19 testing and mitigation.
“Our top priority is supporting the brave professionals on the frontlines of our health care industry in every corner of our state to ensure that they have what they need to protect themselves, their family, and their neighbors,” said Governor Whitmer. “This funding will help rural hospitals continue serving their communities by expanding their COVID-19 testing capacity and mitigation efforts. I want to thank the nurses, doctors, and all medical professionals who continue to go above and beyond to keep people safe each and every day.”
“The state’s rural hospitals have saved countless lives throughout the pandemic,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “We are pleased they will be able to use this funding to further help in the fight against COVID-19 as we all work together to end the pandemic.”
Rural hospitals with less than 50 staff will be able to use the funds for testing equipment, personnel, temporary structures or education. Mitigation strategies must be part of the CDC community mitigation framework, including education, contact tracing, communication and outreach. Each hospital will receive about $257,000, which must be used within 18 months of receipt.
The Michigan Center for Rural Health, which serves as the Michigan State Office of Rural Health, will distribute the funding to the hospitals.
“As the State Office of Rural Health, MCRH is dedicated to improving the health of rural Michigan residents and we are pleased to be able to distribute this funding to Michigan’s rural hospitals,” said John Barnas, MCRH executive director. “Rural hospitals have long been the cornerstone of rural communities and have been vital and steadfast in their response to COVID-19. This funding will benefit the communities greatly, allowing the hospitals to continue their diligent work in the battle against COVID-19 by increasing testing capacity and implementing mitigation strategies to reduce the effects of COVID-19.”
Hospitals receiving funding include:
|
|
MidMichigan Medical Center Gladwin
|
Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital
|
MidMichigan Medical Center Gratiot
|
|
|
MidMichigan Medical Center West Branch
|
|
|
Munising Memorial Hospital
|
Aspirus Iron River Hospital & Clinics, Inc
|
Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital
|
Aspirus Ironwood Hospital
|
Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital
|
Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital
|
Munson Healthcare Grayling
|
Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital
|
Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital
|
Baraga County Memorial Hospital
|
OSF St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group
|
Bronson Lakeview Hospital
|
Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital
|
Bronson South Haven Hospital
|
Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital
|
|
|
|
Dickinson County Healthcare System
|
Promedica Coldwater Regional Hospital
|
Eaton Rapids Medical Center
|
Promedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital (Bixby)
|
Harbor Beach Community Hospital
|
Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
|
Helen Newberry Joy Hospital
|
Sheridan Community Hospital
|
|
|
|
Hills & Dales General Hospital
|
|
Kalkaska Memorial Health Center
|
|
Mackinac Straits Health System
|
|
Marlette Regional Hospital
|
|
|
|
|
McLaren Caro Community Hospital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MidMichigan Medical Center Clare
|
|
|
