Legislative Bulletin Board

The ACMH bulletin board includes legislative and state department activity that impacts families who are raising children with mental health challenges. This will include updates on key legislation as it moves through the process and ideas for ways you can give input into the process.

Families of Children with Behavioral, Emotional, and Mental Health Disorders
Posted 8-3-10

ACMH, Michigan's statewide family network for families raising children with mental health disorders, is a partner of the Michigan Coalition for Children and Families (MCCF). Recently, MCCF conducted a survey of candidates to ascertain their views on key issues relevant to children and families. The results are compiled in a report just out today. Mental health questions were incorporated into this survey and the responses were very encouraging.

Click here to download the candidate survey summary.

2 Insurers to Run High-risk Pool in Michigan; Coverage to Start by Oct. 1 and Run Until 2014; Appropriation Needs Approval First
Posted 7-30-10

Two Michigan-based health insurers -- both subsidiaries of large hospital systems -- have been selected to run the state's new high-risk insurance pool to provide coverage by October for chronically uninsured adults.

Priority Health of Grand Rapids, a subsidiary of Spectrum Health, will provide coverage to 61 Michigan counties, and Physicians Health Plan of Mid-Michigan, a Lansing subsidiary of the Sparrow Health, will run the pool in 22 others.

The winning bids were announced Monday by the Department of Management and Budget, which oversees bidding for state contracts.

Click here to read the rest of this article.

News From the National Women's Law Center: Children First Act of 2010
Posted 7-29-10

It is really big news. After our exciting success in the House appropriations process, the Senate has also included a major increase for child care and Head Start!

The subcommittee’s appropriations bill includes a $1 billion increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and a $990.3 million increase for Head Start/Early Head Start, maintaining the important investments previously made in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In addition, the appropriations bill added $300 million for the Early Learning Challenge Fund, signaling a greater recognition in Congress of the need to raise the quality of early learning programs.

As you know, we still have some more steps to climb before funding is finally approved, but these are major advances in the process. Thank you for your continued efforts to ensure that the appropriations increases become a reality.

And the good news doesn’t stop there. Before Congress adjourns for the August recess, we have another opportunity to help families afford stable, good-quality child care.

The Children First Act of 2010 was introduced today by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) in the Senate and Representative Joseph Crowley (D-NY) in the House. The Children First Act would increase mandatory child care funding by $800 million in FY 2011, with provisions for inflation adjustments beginning in FY 2012 through FY 2015. Additionally, the Act ensures that providers receiving funding through the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program would have to meet the same minimum standards for CCDBG-funded providers. If enacted, this would provide an even greater expansion of sorely needed child care funds and improvements in quality.

Help this critical bill gain momentum — ask your Members of Congress to cosponsor the Children First Act of 2010!

Thank you for your continued commitment. Together, we will work for more victories in the months to come!

Visit http://action.nwlc.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=34462.0&dlv_id=30642 for more information on how you can take action.

Sincerely,

Helen Blank
Director, Leadership and Public Policy
National Women's Law Center

Candidate Forum in Wyoming, Michigan
Posted 6-30-10

Congressional District and Michigan House and Senate Candidates Forum hosted by the WKACC Government Matters Committee. Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at 5:30 pm at the Wyoming Public Library auditorium, 3450 Michael Ave SW in Wyoming.

Action Alert: Family Support Programs
Posted 6-21-10

This is an action alert for family support programs that we are concerned about.

As of June 11, the Conference Committee process has begun to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the Michigan Department of Community Health budget. Conferees are:

Senator Roger Kahn (Senate District 32)
Senator John Pappageorge (Senate District 13)
Senator Deb Cherry (Senate District 26)
Representative Gary McDowell (House District 107)
Representative George Cushingberry (House District 8)
Representative Kevin Green (House District 77)

Highlights of the Community Health Budget include:

  • The House passed the bill that restores $1,183,6000 GF/GP for non-emergency transportation and $1,098,200 for incontinent supplies that had been eliminated in FY2009/2010 for the Title V CSHCS eligibles. The Senate does not agree with the House.
  • The House concurs with the Senate recommendation projecting a 2.6% caseload increase in the Family Support Subsidy Program and increasing TANF funds for this program by $871,300. This program provides $222.11 monthly payment to income-eligible families with a child under 18 living at home who is severely mentally impaired, severely multiply impaired, or autistic.

These House actions are great news and the Senate has been supportive in some areas, however there is more work to be done and your advocacy efforts are needed by doing the following:

  • Thank the House of Representatives for their support of families and children with disabilities.
  • Thank the House and Senate for supporting a significant increase in caseloads in the Family Support Subsidy Program and an increase in TANF funds.
  • Advocate and educate your Senators on the importance of non-emergency transportation and incontinent supplies for families. Urge your Senators to agree with the House provisions on restoring funding for these important items.

Help Prevent State Cuts in Medicaid and Other Crucial Services
Posted 6-9-10

We need your help to ensure that the Senate passes a jobs bill this week that includes a six month extension of extra Medicaid help and health insurance for the unemployed. It is also important that it maintains support for summer jobs, an extension of unemployment insurance, other improvements for jobless parents, and housing assistance.

Please call your Senators today. Tell them to include both six months of extra Medicaid assistance to states and COBRA health coverage subsidies for the unemployed in their version of the House Jobs Bill they will act on this week.

Without these important health expansions and other improvements already in the House bill, states will be forced to make deep cuts in health care and other programs serving children and families as they work to balance their state budgets, already stretched by the recession. Restoring state aid and help for the jobless will boost economic growth.

Reach your Senators through the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or use the toll free number donated by AFSCME – 888-340-6521. When you call the toll-free number, you will hear a brief message about jobs and Medicaid, asked your zip code and be directed straight to your Senators' offices.

The House passed bill — the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (H.R. 4123) — which the Senate will act on this week, did not include the six month extension of extra Medicaid help or the COBRA health coverage subsidies for the unemployed. It did include important provisions for summer jobs for youths, extending unemployment insurance, continuing the TANF Emergency Fund, and expanding housing assistance. It is critically important that these health provisions that were dropped from the House bill be restored by the Senate and that other improvements be maintained. Without increased federal funding for Medicaid and other health supports, states will be forced to make deep cuts in Medicaid and other programs impacting children and families as they finalize their 2011 budgets by their July 1st budget deadlines.
Thank you for helping prevent state cuts in Medicaid and other crucial services.
— Children's Defense Fund Action Council

Meeting Notice: House Judiciary Committee
Posted 6-7-10

DATE: Wednesday, June 9, 2010
TIME: 10:30 a.m.
PLACE: 521 House Office Building, Lansing
AGENDA: The House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Representative Mark Meadows, will hear the juvenile competency legislation next Wednesday, June 9, 10:30am (521 House Office Building, Lansing, MI). Representative Lipton has informed me that they are no longer seeking testimony but highly encourage individuals and groups to submit cards. (HB 5175; 5482-89)

Meeting Notice: House Appropriations Subcommittee on Community Health
Posted 5-14-10

DATE: Wednesday, May 19, 2010
TIME: 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
PLACE: Room 352 - House Appropriations, Capitol Building
AGENDA: Decision Making: FY 2010-11 Department of Community Health Budget

Individuals wishing to bring written testimony need to supply a minimum of 25 copies for distribution. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, disabled individuals needing special services to fully participate in the meeting may contact Rep. Gary McDowell, Chair, at (517) 373-2629.

Michigan Department of Education Notice of Public Hearing
Posted 4-14-10

The Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services will conduct public hearings to receive public comment on the following document:

ESY Guidance on Timeliness of Decision Making

The proposed document is accessible on the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services Web site at www.michigan.gov/ose-eis under “Spotlight.”

The proposed document, “ESY Guidance on Timeliness of Decision Making,” is proposed for addition to the document “Guidance for Extended School Year Services in Michigan , August 12, 2009.” This document can be found on the Web site at: http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_6598_7376-198486--,00.html.

Public hearings will be held at the following sites:

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at The Lexington Hotel, 925 S. Creyts Road , Lansing , Michigan 48917 . Hotel phone: (517) 323-7100 (check the announcement board in the hotel lobby for room name).

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Educational Service Center, Kent ISD, Rogue Room, 2930 Knapp, N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525. Kent ISD phone: (616) 364-1333.

Oral or written comment may be presented in person at the hearings or submitted in writing by mail, e-mail, or facsimile no later than 5:00 p.m., May 14, 2010. All comment will be reviewed and considered in the final version of the document. Comments may be submitted to the following:

Public Comment
Michigan Department of Education
Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services
P.O. Box 30008
Lansing , MI 48909
Email: mde-ose@michigan.gov
Fax: 517-373-7504

If special accommodations, including interpreter services, are needed to participate in the public hearings, please contact Meredith Hines at 517-373-0924 or email at hinesm@michigan.gov by April 6, 2010.

Revised Meeting Notice: House Appropriations Subcommittee on Community Health
Posted 4-6-10

DATE: Wednesday, April 14, 2010
TIME: 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
PLACE: Room 352 - House Appropriations, Capitol Building
AGENDA: Department Presentation on FY 2010-11 Budget Recommendation - Overview and Medicaid

Individuals wishing to bring written testimony need to supply a minimum of 25 copies for distribution. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, disabled individuals needing special services to fully participate in the meeting may contact Rep. Gary McDowell, Chair, at (517) 373-2629.

Talking Points for Children's Mental Health in Michigan
By ACMH; Posted 3-21-10

Reject the Senate’s Proposed FY 2011 Budget for DCH Non-Medicaid General Funds

  • The Senate DCH Subcommittee proposed FY 2011 budget cuts Non-Medicaid General fund dollars by $53.7 Million.
  • Children who are not Medicaid eligible will be unable to access public mental health care resulting in:
    • Increased abuse & neglect substantiations
    • Increased referrals into Juvenile Justice
    • Increased suspension, expulsion and drop-out rates in school
    • Increased unemployment for parents/caregivers due to disruption in work

Restore funding for Medicaid eligibility for Caretaker Relatives

  • FY 2011 budget proposed to eliminate Medicaid eligibility for Caretaker Relatives
  • Many parents/caregivers are unable to maintain employment due to the challenges of children with mental health needs
  • Many parents/caregivers are forced to stay home to care for their children with serious emotional disorders due to the child’s:
    • Extreme behaviors
    • Intense need or supervision
    • Inability to access child care settings
    • Expulsion from child care settings
    • Loss of employment due to the disruptions in work from child’s problems at school, child care, or in the community
  • The elimination of this eligibility for caretakers will mean:
    • Increased un-insured caretakers of children with multiple challenges
    • Increased health care costs due to lack of preventative health care
    • Unhealthy caretakers of our most vulnerable children

Reinstate Funding for the Child Care Enhancement Program

  • The funding for this program has been eliminated for FY 2011
  • If these funds are not restored, early childhood mental health consultation services provided through DHS licensed, registered, and enrolled child care settings will end.
  • This services is:
    • The only program currently in Michigan that focuses solely on social-emotional health of infants and toddlers – an early predictor of school success
    • Provides training for child care workers to promote positive social-emotional development and prevent expulsion and long-term mental health problems
  • Of 251 children served through CCEP:
    • 50% had substantially fewer behavioral problems
    • 50% had considerably more self-control, social skills and positive behaviors
    • Parenting stress significantly decreased
    • Parents were less likely to have disruptions at work or school due to their child’s child care problems
    • Child care workers were significantly better able to identify early warning signs and manage challenging behaviors
  • Loss of funding for CCEP will result in:
    • Fewer children entering into school with positive social-emotional development – an early predictor of school failure
    • More children with long-term mental health problems resulting in high-cost interventions due to the lack of early intervention
    • More parents unable to maintain employment due to child care expulsions and disruptions in work

House DCH Subcommittee Schedule
Posted 3-21-10

Monday, March 15, 2010
10:00 am -1:00 pm
Lakes Room
Park Place Hotel
300 East State Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
Topics: All aspects of FY 2010-11 Budget Recommendation for DCH

Monday, March 22, 2010
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sinai-Grace Hospital
Auditorium
6071 W. Outer Drive
Detroit, MI 48235
Topics: All aspects of FY 2010-11 Budget Recommendation for DCH

Monday, April 19, 2010
9:00 am - 12:00 pm;
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Room 352
Capitol Building
Topics: Medicaid; Public Health; Health Policy, Regulation, and Professions; Crime
Victim Services

Monday, April 26, 2010
9:00 am - 12:00 pm;
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Room 352
Capitol Building
Topics: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; Office of Services to the Aging