Pull Up Your Chair

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has progressed in moving the state’s foster care system out of court monitoring. A report from the Eastern District of Michigan U.S. District Court found that MDHHS still needs to meet standards in 22 of the 28 monitored areas but is close in three. Judge Nancy Edmunds acknowledged the department's significant progress on the Michigan Implementation, Sustainability, and Exit Plan.

MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel expressed pride in the department's work and commitment to meeting the remaining requirements. Key improvements include 88.1% of adoption workers managing no more than 15 children, up from 14% in 2021. Additionally, 80.8% of siblings are placed together or near each other unless exceptions are ordered, and 78.2% of separated siblings have monthly visits. 87.1% of children entering foster care receive a medical and mental exam within 45 days, with 80.9% receiving an exam within 30 days.

Despite these advancements, the court couldn't verify MDHHS's claims of 14.50 victimized children per 100,000 days in care against a baseline of 9.07. The state also failed to find families to reunite siblings, reporting 62.5% compliance against a 90% standard. Medication monitoring remains a concern, with only 34.8% compliance with medication effectiveness and proper use.

ICYMI

Kim and her husband, a stay-at-home mom and electrical engineer living in a pretty lakeside house in mid-Michigan, were raising teenagers when they heard about a little boy who needed a home. He was just a toddler but was acting out the domestic violence he’d witnessed on his baby sister, and his foster parents didn’t want to keep the pair together. The couple had 24 hours to decide whether they could help.

Report: Michigan still struggles with addressing abuse, neglect in foster care, institutions,* Detroit News - 07/08/2024, By Kara Berg

While Michigan has improved in its handling of child welfare for those in foster care, the state still has a lot of work to do, according to a biannual report from federal court monitors.

Frustration, accusations in tense meeting about Michigan opioid funds, Bridge Magazine - 07/12/2024, By Robin Erb and Ron French

State Rep. Jaime Greene Condemns State Budget Cuts To School Safety And Mental Health Funding

*Paywall

We profile legislators and candidates each week. This week, we encourage you to learn more about State Rep. Jaime Greene (Official Bio). If the GOP takes control of the Michigan House, Rep. Jaimie Greene will most likely become the leading behavioral health advocate.

opioid settlements funded opportunity.

The Recovery Housing Investment Program (RHIP) provides grant funding to expand access to recovery housing for people with opioid use disorder (OUD) and any co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD) or mental health condition(s). The awarded funds will be structured as forgivable loans or grants to purchase or lease single-family homes or small multifamily properties for recovery housing. Completed application documents are due to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) by Friday, July 26, with plans to announce funded applicants no later than Friday, August 16. Contact [email protected] with any questions.

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