by Becky Andrus | Aug 12, 2020 | Uncategorized
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 12, 2020
CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, wheatonb@michigan.gov
August is Child Support Month in Michigan
For every dollar spent on child support program, $5.33 was collected to support children
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Child Support Program strives to help families support each other both financially and emotionally. In recognition of tireless efforts to support Michigan children and families by child support workers, employers, state and county departments, hospitals and community partners, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared August as Child Support Month in Michigan.
The Michigan Child Support Program is a partnership of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child Support, county friends of the court offices, prosecuting attorney offices, the State Court Administrative Office, employers, hospitals and other community agencies.
The program provides professional, non-judgmental services to help mothers, fathers, grandparents or guardians get the financial resources they need for their children. It also provides parents of all income levels with assistance in obtaining financial support and medical insurance coverage for their children, helps locate parents, establishes paternity and opens and manages child support cases and collects and disburses support payments.
Every dollar spent on child support programs in Michigan results in the collection of $5.33 in support for children.
“Child support is a key part of the social safety net,” said Erin Frisch, director of the Michigan Office of Child Support. “The Michigan Child Support Program works with families to secure reliable, consistent support for children. We recognize most parents want to take care of their children, and that can be difficult especially during times of economic hardship. We can help make sure children are getting the support they need and deserve during these times.”
County and state child support offices in Michigan provide services for more than 839,000 children and their families. In 2019, more than $1.17 billion was distributed to Michigan families. Additional information about Michigan’s Child Support Program is available on this fact sheet.
Child support information for parents, employers, hospitals and schools can be also be found at Michigan.gov/ChildSupport. |
by Becky Andrus | Aug 12, 2020 | Uncategorized
Winners Announced in ‘Oakland Together’ Online COVID-19 Safety Video & Art Contest
Pontiac, Michigan – Four Oakland County residents who took different paths to deliver the same message – everyone should do their part to help stop the spread of the coronavirus – were chosen by a public vote as winners of the Oakland Together COVID-19 Safety Video & Art Contest.
Oakland County Executive David Coulter announced the winners today, celebrating the creativity of the winners while reminding residents that the steps each of us takes makes a difference in stopping the spread of the virus.
“Oakland County is so fortunate to have such wonderfully talented artists and story tellers in our midst,” Coulter said. “Their collective message is simple and to the point. We have an obligation to our families, those we care about, our coworkers, classmates and friends, and even those we don’t know to wear a facial covering to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.”
The contest was open to county residents in two categories: youth ages 10-17 and those 18 and above. The theme was the continuing importance of practicing COVID-19 safety protocols such as wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing and washing your hands frequently. Entrants could submit a video or visual art.
Nearly 4,900 people cast votes in the online contest. The winners are:
- Youth visual art: Steven Lowenberg, 13, of Southfield. His entry was a color pencil and crayon drawing entitled “Stop the Spread” and encourages everyone to wash their hands, practice social distancing and wear a mask. “This is an illustration encouraging everyone to practice proper hygiene, social distancing, and to wear face masks to keep all of us safe and healthy,” Lowenberg said.
- Adult visual art: Sydni Gothard, of Waterford. Her acrylic on canvas entry is entitled “Together,” with characters each wearing masks and the unifying message that we are all in this together. “I want my painting to encourage others to wear a mask for their safety and the safety of others,” Gothard wrote of her entry. “While each of the characters are spaced apart in their own color dividers, they can still show support and feel comfort in the fact that they are all in this together.”
- Youth video: Charlisa Penzak, 12, of Bloomfield Hills. Her video, “We are all in this Together,” features a multi-generational cast of ethnically diverse people relating how their lives have been affected, what they miss and what steps they should each take to stop the spread of the virus. “I incorporated the theme of diversity to show that no matter your race, religion, nationality, or sex, everyone needs to play their part, and everyone needs to help,” she wrote of her entry. “These times have been tough for everyone. People might think that they cannot do much, but by wearing masks and social distancing, they can play their part in stopping the coronavirus.”
- Adult video: Eli Sider of Huntington Woods, a freelance videographer and film major at the University of Michigan. His video, “It Didn’t Have to Be This Way,” chronicles the rapid spread of the virus in a community beginning with an innocent contact between friends. According to his entry, “Eli Sider was motivated to make this video after seeing people in the U.S. who refuse to wear masks because they don’t believe in them. He wanted to share the message that the masks don’t protect you, they protect your loved ones, the ones most vulnerable. As a college senior about to return to University of Michigan for another year surrounded by thousands of people, he hopes his message will urge those in his community to take the necessary steps to protect one another.”
The contest was open to original artwork submitted by the original creator, including but not limited to video, painting, drawing, photography, illustration and printmaking. Artwork was to promote and encourage COVID safety, following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state of Michigan protocols.
The winners receive $350. Winning entries will be displayed virtually on the county’s website, www.oakgov.com, social media channels and www.OaklandCountyProsper.com through Sept. 30. The images and videos can be viewed by clicking on the following link: https://www.oakgov.com/covid/contests/Pages/gallery.aspx.
They will also be considered for use in upcoming public service announcements. The artists will be given credit if their creations are used.
by Becky Andrus | Aug 10, 2020 | Uncategorized
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by Becky Andrus | Aug 10, 2020 | Uncategorized
Will we see sports this fall???
Written by Sammy Taormina
There have been a ton of conflicting reports lately and also school districts have cancelled athletics and other extra circular activities for the fall season.
In College Football, the Mid-American Conference cancelled their season and the Big Ten could be on the verge of cancelling theirs in wake of this coronavirus outbreak.
Now it has trickled down to the high school game as well.
The Lansing School district decided that for the health and safety of everyone that they will call off athletics and extra circular activities according to MLive’s Jared Purcell.
In another article according to Matt Mowery of State Champs, he said that Southfield was considering the same thing although no decision had been made.
If schools make the decision about their districts not having fall sports it could not only have major consequences for the health and wellbeing of student athletes but for other conferences as well.
Most if not all schools should start their fall semester online in my opinion.
If Southfield were to cancel their fall sports schedule it would hurt the OAA. It could create a ripple effect and could possibly force a breakup of the league.
The coronavirus outbreak could force major mega conferences to break up in favor of smaller conferences based on travel.
The MHSAA made a decision in July to keep the sports structure as is and start the season on time but added four contingency plans to the mix if coronavirus cases go up in Michigan.
Last week the league went with a phases approach with the low risk sports in boys tennis, girls golf, girls swimming and diving, and cross country starting up on Wednesday while high/moderate risk sports like football, volleyball, and boys soccer will start their practices this week as well but the MHSAA said a decision will not be made on those sports until August 20th.
Most of Michigan remain in Phase Four under Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s economic return plan but the Upper Peninsula and most of northwest and part of northeast Lower Michigan are in Phase Five.
In Phase Four of Whitmer’s plan indoor gyms are not allowed which greatly impacts volleyball and girls swimming and diving. Those sports are expected to practice outdoors.
It will be interesting in the next two weeks will be critical to see what happens in regards to fall sports but school districts and especially school boards have already went ahead with their plans.
by Becky Andrus | Aug 10, 2020 | Uncategorized
Governor Whitmer Takes Action to Protect Michigan Workers After the Federal Government Allowed Unemployment Benefits to Lapse
Governor’s order ensures protections for workers who stay home when they’re sick
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-166 to reinstate protections for Michigan workers as the state continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor signed this order after the federal government allowed federal pandemic unemployment assistance for Americans who have lost work as a result of this virus to lapse at the end of July, putting pressure on more people to return to work, even if they’re sick. Under the Executive Order, the governor prohibits employers from discharging, disciplining, or retaliating against employees who make the responsible choice to stay home when they or their close contacts are sick.
“Since day one of this fight, I have urged people to do their part to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19, and that includes staying home when you are sick. But after the federal government allowed pandemic unemployment assistance benefits to lapse at the end of July, more working people are feeling pressure to return to work so they can provide for themselves and their families, even if they’re sick,” said Governor Whitmer. “As we have reengaged sectors of our economy, and in turn put thousands of Michiganders back to work, it is still vital that employees feel empowered to make the right choice to say home if they, or someone they have been in contact with is sick. These protections will help to slow the spread of the virus and save lives, but we still need the federal government to work together in a bipartisan way to expand unemployment benefits and provide support for our workers and their families.”
Under Executive Order 2020-1, employers must treat employees who stay home when they are sick as if he or she were taking medical leave. Any and all Michiganders who test positive for COVID-19 or who display one or more of the principal symptoms, such as a fever, sore throat, a new uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, severe headache, and new loss of taste or smell should stay home. Individuals must remain home until 24 hours have passed since the resolution of fever without medication or 10 days have passed since their symptoms first appeared or were tested positive.
As a rule, if an individual has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or has had close contact with a confirmed positive case they should only leave their home for essential trips, to obtain food, medicine, or medical care. Additionally, they may leave to partake in an outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, running, cycling, or any other recreational activity consistent with remaining at least six feet from others.
To view Executive Order 2020-166, click the link below:
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by Becky Andrus | Aug 10, 2020 | Uncategorized
Oakland County reminds testing sites to report COVID-19 results promptly
Pontiac, Michigan – Urgent cares, pharmacies and doctors’ offices are urged to promptly report Oakland County residents COVID-19 test results to the Oakland County Health Division. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Section 18115 requires that molecular (PCR or Abbott ID NOW) and antigen test results must be reported within 24 hours of test completion through existing public health reporting methods. To meet this requirement, submit Oakland County resident COVID-19 test results to covidresults@oakgov.com. Currently, any laboratories and providers who report COVID-19 test results electronically to the State of Michigan should continue to do so.
“Swift reporting of test results detecting COVID-19 is essential to reducing the spread of the disease so that our region does not take a step back in the governor’s reopening plan,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “We urge all our urgent cares, pharmacies and medical providers to follow these guidelines, so each positive case is immediately investigated, and contacts identified.”
The CARES Act Section 18115 reporting guidance, requires facilities or locations performing testing at point of care or with at-home specimen collection related to SARS-CoV-21—shall report data for all diagnostic testing completed, for each individual tested, within 24 hours of results being known.
When possible, consider reporting test results daily in a single batch. Use this sample form that includes all reportable information. Visit the CDC website for additional information.
General COVID-19 resources can be found on the Health Division’s website at www.oakgov.com/covid or by contacting Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com. Nurse on Call is available 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter.
For media inquiries only please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County media and communications officer, at 248-858-1048.
