Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

MDHHS employees volunteer at free dental care event Members of the Oral Health Section and the Bureau of Medicaid Policy, Operations & Actuarial Services volunteered at the Michigan Dental Foundation Mission of Mercy held at the Dort Financial Center Flint in June. The Mission of Mercy provided free dental care for everyone at the event. MDHHS staff who volunteered were responsible for the patient greeters and patient registration area. They greeted patients, answered questions, helped complete patient registration forms and made them comfortable with the process overall. The event began at 6 a.m., but attendees lined up early. By the time doors opened on the first day, more than 200 people were waiting in line. During the two-day event, dental care was provided to more than 650 people. People came from over 35 counties in Michigan, most of them from Genesee County. In addition, more than 10 people came from out of state, including Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. Pictured below (from left to right) are Eva Winston, Chris Farrell, Elizabeth Pitts and Sandy Sutton. Staff who volunteered but are not pictured include Heather Beavers, Kyle Norman and Mona Riaz.

Juvenile Justice Reform employees attend national conference in Washington, D.C. Erin House, director of Juvenile Justice Reform, and employees from the Office of Juvenile Justice Reform traveled to Washington, D.C. last month to attend the Coalition for Juvenile Justice National Conference. The conference focused on improving juvenile justice and delinquency prevention systems, services, practices and policies. They networked with practitioners and advocates from across the country to discuss the latest research, developments and challenges in juvenile justice. This was an outstanding opportunity to collaborate with allies who have already implemented reform strategies and solicit feedback on how processes were executed, including learning from both challenges and successes that can be implemented in Michigan. While in D.C., they also had an opportunity to tour the U.S. Capitol and attend a learning session at the U.S. Supreme Court. The Juvenile Justice Reform team was joined by Holly Force, Juvenile Justice director, and members of the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice (MCJJ). Pictured below(from left to right) are Bob Higgins, MCJJ chair; Erin House, Juvenile Justice Reform director; Deandrea White, MCJJ member; Pete Piotrowski, Juvenile Justice Reform senior analyst; Danyelle Dobbins, Juvenile Justice Reform senior analyst; Natalya Henderson, MCJJ member; Mrs. Higgins, supporter of MCJJ; and Holly Force, Juvenile Justice director.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is currently looking to hire a psychologist. The position is located in Caro within our psychiatric hospital. In this position the psychologist will provide professional psychological services for individuals admitted to the Caro Center, who are mentally ill. The psychologist is a member of interdisciplinary treatment team providing assessment/diagnostic information, assisting in treatment planning and program development and delivery of therapeutic services including group and individual therapy. For more information on this position please visit the link below! https://lnkd.in/eCPcMGCh

MDHHS is currently looking to hire a Forensic Psychiatrist. The forensic psychiatrist in this position performs a wide variety of duties concerning the treatment and evaluation of forensic patients.  They are a member of multidisciplinary inpatient Treatment Teams on which they carry a patient caseload and perform evaluations of inpatients for purposes of civil commitment or recommitment throughout the hospital.  The psychiatrist conducts forensic evaluations in the inpatient setting and Evaluation Unit under the supervision of a consulting forensic examiner; they may also provide psychiatric and medical consultation to the Evaluation Unit.  Additionally, the psychiatrist takes part in the teaching of forensic psychiatry residents, general residents, medical students, and professionals in other mental health disciplines A qualified candidate must have a medical degree from an accredited school of medicine. For more information on how to join our great team click on the link below. https://lnkd.in/eSQaxax7

There is every reason to be proud of the work Michigan Department of Health & Human Services and our partners are doing to advance maternal, infant, and family health in Michigan. Our efforts, and our state, are stronger when we take time to listen to the feedback of families and keep the things people say they care about most at the heart of our work and collaborations. This year's Maternal Infant Health Summit was no exception. Participants discussed our collective progress, work ahead, and best practices. Events like this also bring people together around the current maternal and infant health plan, Advancing Healthy Births: An Equity Plan for Michigan Families and Communities, which launched last fall: 💠 Michigan families, communities, and partners provided valuable input to the development of the Advancing Healthy Births plan. This feedback was key in identifying sustainable actions and concrete recommendations to advance outcomes for birthing individuals and infants. 💠 In addition, this plan builds on past successes, including statewide alignment of efforts under the previous state plan. 💠 The Advancing Healthy Births plan focuses on four priority areas, rooted in equity: health across the reproductive span; full-term, healthy weight babies; infants safely sleeping; and mental health, behavioral health, and well-being. Together, guided by this plan, we will continue to work toward zero preventable deaths and zero health disparities in Michigan. Read the full plan: bit.ly/4bvLCay.

The picturesque Old Mission Peninsula was the setting for a special presentation to retired employee Lew Roubal. Lew, who was a dedicated member of MDHHS for 23 years, received the Governor's Special Tribute for his outstanding public service to the State of Michigan. This prestigious accolade is a testament to Lew's unwavering commitment, tireless work ethic and exemplary service that left a lasting impact on our communities. Accompanied by his wife, Janet Roubal, Lew accepted the award with humility and gratitude. "I am deeply honored and incredibly moved by this recognition," Lew said. "Being able to serve the people of Michigan and work alongside such dedicated professionals has been one of the greatest joys of my life. This award is a reflection of the efforts of an incredible team working tirelessly towards a meaningful shared vision." At MDHHS, we are incredibly proud of Lew and extend our heartfelt congratulations on this well-deserved honor. His recognition by Governor Whitmer is a testament to the values we uphold, and the difference one dedicated individual can make.

On May 16, 2024, the MDHHS Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Community Influencer Program (https://lnkd.in/g66_vKJt) celebrated the contributions of its inaugural group of community influencers and warmly welcomed Cohort 2 participants. We recognized the Community Influencer’s exceptional contributions with awards, celebrating their hard work and impact. Cohort 1 shared success stories and lessons learned, setting a strong foundation for future members of the program. These dedicated individuals from various communities across Michigan, have been instrumental in providing critical insights into the social determinants affecting health in their regions. Their unique perspectives have helped shape our understanding and approach to addressing these challenges.  We are excited to see Cohort 2 continue this vital work towards healthier, more equitable communities across Michigan. Community influencers are crucial in identifying and communicating their community's needs, offering feedback on current programs, and disseminating information about available resources. To learn more, visit Michigan.gov/SDOH.

In partnership with the Michigan Department of Treasury, the 12th annual Fostering Futures Pizza Party on the Capitol Lawn raised funds for the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund. The Trust Fund provides scholarships to young adults who experienced foster care and are enrolled at a Michigan degree-granting college or university. Attendees enjoyed pizza while the event featured live entertainment, speakers, raffles and more. Director Elizabeth Hertel spoke about the importance of youth who have experienced foster care having the opportunity to pursue the education and career path that is right for them and their goals. “For many people who experienced foster care, paying for a college education can be overwhelming or even unattainable,” said Director Hertel. “MDHHS is proud to continue supporting this program and providing assistance with costs such as tuition and fees, books and supplies, and room and board.” Since 2012, various fundraising efforts have raised more than $1.3 million for the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund. https://lnkd.in/gKuN5uz7

The MDHHS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee at the Special Processing Office (SPO) recently met for a unique volunteer opportunity – creating motivational art for donation. Many nonprofit housing communities do not have the funds for artwork or décor, so art donations are often welcomed. Six pieces of mood-boosting art were donated to Kith Haven Skilled Nursing Center in Flint. Volunteers created a seventh work of art together. Donations of infant necessities were also collected and given to Hannah’s House in East Lansing. Pictured (from left to right) are SPO DEI committee members Syreeta Moore, Toni Grimes, Alyssa Akins and Nicole Sparacio.

Last week, MDHHS hosted the two-day Maternal Infant Health Summit in Lansing, convening statewide partners, providers and families working to advance maternal, infant and family health. The summit, whose theme was “Advancing Healthy Births: From Stories to Action,” offered a space for partners to collaborate on addressing root causes of inequities, challenging systematic barriers and creating actionable solutions. Director Elizabeth Hertel, who addressed the summit, spoke about the progress that has been made around the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies initiative, Medicaid areas of expansion and access to doula services. She highlighted the ongoing work of the Regional Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaboratives across the state and programs to address substance use disorder and the behavioral well-being of families. She noted that Gov. Whitmer’s FY 25 budget calls for further investment in programs that address birth and health inequities, including increased access to doula services and the Maternal Infant Health Program. Funding is also proposed to expand family planning services and eliminate the Medicaid birth expense recovery program. “I’m so proud of the progress we’ve made, and I know that it would not be possible without the dedication of you all here,” said Director Hertel. “We will continue to work tirelessly to address these inequities and improve birth outcomes.”