Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 21, 2020 CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov MDHHS provides COVID-19 guidance for holiday travel and gatherings LANSING, Mich. – The holiday season will be different for Michiganders this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure families do not miss out on being together during the holidays, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued guidance on how to travel and gather safely during the holidays. “Celebrating the holiday season with family and friends is one of our most cherished traditions,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “Even though the way we celebrate may have to be different, the guidance issued today shows there are still many ways to spend quality time with family and friends safely during this festive season.” Traveling and in-person gatherings increase the chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. However, if you decide to travel for the holidays, follow these safety measures to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:
In addition to the MDHHS guidance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has the following resources to help determine if you should travel during the holidays:
Individuals who should avoid attending or hosting in-person holiday celebrations with people who do not live in their household, include those who:
The new guidance also urges Michiganders to consider hosting virtual festivities instead of in-person holiday gatherings if there is a risk of community spread based on the risk identified in the MI Safe Start map. If an in-person gathering is hosted, it should be held outdoors if possible. Indoor festivities should avoid crowded, poorly ventilated or fully enclosed indoor spaces, and should be limited to 10 people or less per MDHHS Oct. 9 Emergency Epidemic Order. In addition, attendees of indoor or outdoor festivities should:
Read the full “Celebrating the Holidays During COVID-19” guidance for additional tips to consider before, during and after a gathering to stay safe this holiday season. Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus. # # #
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The ACMH Board of Directors is Seeking New Members
Want to share your experience and knowledge to guide ACMH in providing support, training, advocacy and information for youth, families, providers, community partners and decision makers across Michigan?
If so then please consider applying be an ACMH Board of Director’s member today!
Requirements to be eligible to apply for a vacant parent/caregiver seat:
- Be a parent or full time caregiver of a child or youth under the age of 18 who has a behavioral, emotional and/or mental health challenge, or be a youth/young adult between 18 and 26 years old who has a behavioral, emotional and/or mental health challenge and/or
- Be an individual with knowledge and/or expertise in issues, services and systems impacting children’s mental healthjshank@acmh-mi.org
- Be willing to commit to attend a half day orientation meeting held in Lansing or virtually.
- Be able to attend four board meetings a year, held in Lansing and/or with virtual option
- Be willing to participate in an occasional conference call for committee work as needed
If you are interested in applying, please complete the ACMH Board Member Application below and return to Jane Shank by November 15, 2020.
The completed application can be submitted via: e-mail: jshank@acmh-mi.org
fax: (517) 372-4032
mail: Assn for Children’s Mental Health
Attn: Jane Shank
6017 St, Joe Hwy Ste 200
Lansing MI 48917
If you have questions or would like more information, please call Jane at 231-383-1595.
Download this information here: Board Application Enclosure
ACMH Youth & Parent Advisories Help Create Video to Enhance Primary Care Physicians Engagement with Youth an Families
The ACMH Statewide Youth and Parent Advisory Committees recently partnered with Michigan Child Care Connect (MC3) to share their expertise and feedback as MC3 worked to create a on video designed to support Primary Care Physicians to better engage and support youth with mental health challenges and their families. Click on the link below to check out the video today!
Engaging With Parents and Youth in the Primary Care Setting – Words Matter
The MC3 program offers psychiatry support to primary care providers in Michigan who are managing patients with behavioral health problems. This includes children, adolescents, young adults through age 26, and women who are contemplating pregnancy, pregnant or postpartum (up to one year).
ACMH Telehealth Survey – Share Your Voice Today!
Families, Youth and Young Adults who have Utilized Telehealth to Access Mental Health Services During the Pandemic- We Need You to Share Your Experience & Perspectives About Telehealth!
Click here to participate in a short ten question survey.
Michigan, as many of you know, has been working on various plans and strategies to re-imagine and improve the mental health system in our state for quite some time. Recently the value and convenience of tele-health as an on-going option to provide easily accessible services and supports even after the pandemic has passed has been a new hot topic of discussion during system improvement meetings. Multiple groups are currently examining the benefits of telehealth and looking at how agencies and the behavioral health system might better use or expand its use in the future. But in order to make good decisions about the continued role of telehealth in our mental health service delivery system, decision makers must better understand how telehealth services benefit or affect real people in the community and your experiences are key. So, as these discussions take place it is critically important to ensure your voices are part of the conversation and that community leaders have an opportunity to hear your input.
ACMH has recently created a Telehealth Survey for youth, families and young adults as one venue to help gather your feedback. The brief ten question survey contains a series of questions about your experiences with telehealth and any positive effects, challenges or barriers you may have faced. It also asks you to share your thoughts about the benefits or possible downfalls of its increased use, and what things you think need to be considered as plans and decisions about the role or place of telehealth for the provision of mental health services in the future continue.
Please consider taking time to participate in the survey to share your input. Your personal experience, expertise and perspectives are an invaluable tool as these groups make decisions about telehealth and continue work to shape mental health services, supports, policies and service models in our state!
To participate and share your voice click on the link below or email thenrizi@acmh-mi.org for more information today. Survey results will be tallied and then shared both with community groups throughout the state currently considering this issue and on the ACMH website.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DD8HFYD
MDHHS Offers Free MI Parenting Resource
MI Parenting Resource is a free, online program meant to support caregivers across the state of Michigan in strengthening their parent-child relationships and gaining new tools for enhancing positive child behaviors.
Download the documents below to learn more or find out how to register today.
Children’s Mental Health Network Friday Update with a Focus on Addressing Racism
Click here to read the July 3rd CMHN Friday Update which contains great information about addressing racism in our country or link to ACMH’s Social Justice Resource Page by clicking here.
To view the most recent October 2nd Friday Update click here.
ACMH is pleased to share links to the Children’s Mental Health Network Friday Update. The Children’s Mental Health Network is a national network bringing together the voices of children’s mental health. Each Friday Update brings the latest news in children’s mental health, a Morning Zen Blog post and featured resources of interest to families and professionals alike.
Enjoy the reads!
Governor Whitmer Declares September 6-12th Suicide Prevention Week!
MDHHS Press Release MDHHS reminds Michiganders of resources available during Suicide Prevention Week. LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Michigan Association for Suicide Prevention and national and local suicide prevention organizations have been working tirelessly to halt the growth of suicide rates in Michigan. As part of the effort, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared Sept. 6-12 Suicide Prevention Week. “Michiganders may be experiencing increased levels of emotional distress due to the pandemic and, therefore, it’s critical for people to know there are resources available and help raise awareness about suicide prevention,” said Dr. Debra Pinals, MDHHS Medical Director for Behavioral Health. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in both Michigan and the nation, and a top five leading cause among individuals who are 10-54 years old. Michigan has higher rates of suicide among people who are 10-19 and 25-44 years of age compared to the nation as a whole. Michiganders can help lower these rates by knowing the warning signs of suicide, encouraging those at risk to seek help, and having open and honest conversations about suicide. “Suicide is a major public health concern across Michigan,” sad Dr. Brian Ahmedani, Chair of the Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission. “On behalf of the Suicide Prevention Commission, we applaud Governor Whitmer’s declaration to support suicide prevention week. Our Commission is working hard with leaders and partners from across our great state to gain a better understanding of this problem as well as determine the best ways to leverage key opportunities and resources to prevent suicide across Michigan.” Warning signs for those at risk of suicide include:
If you are in a crisis, or know someone who needs help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or visit the MDHHS Suicide Prevention website for more information. Additional emotional-support services for those who are feeling emotional distress during the COVID-19 pandemic are available at Michigan.gov/StayWell or by calling Michigan Stay Well Counseling via the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 and pressing “8” to talk to a counselor 24/7.
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Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, Inc. (MPAS) has changed its name to Disability Rights Michigan and Launched a New Website
Visit MPAS new website today at – www.drmich.org
MI Alliance for Families Offers Series of Webinars for Parents Preparing for the Up-coming School Year
As we continue to navigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Michigan Alliance for Families is offering a series of webinars for parents preparing for the new school year. During each webinar MAF Parent Mentors will answer the questions they re hearing most often from families. Webinars start at noon and will be recorded.
August 13 – Planning for Your Child’s Return To School During COVID-19
A conversation on making tough decisions, planning for success, and problem solving for the return to school for your child with an IEP.
- Understanding your options and considerations for decision making
- Getting supports and services your child needs during distance learning
- Managing back to school for your child with an IEP or IFSP
August 20 – Parent Advocacy During Unprecedented Times
A conversation on being an effective advocate for your child when so much is different and changing often.
- Advocating for your child’s distance learning needs
- Documenting events and conversations as they occur
- When to act and what to do when something isn’t working
August 27 – Tips for Student Self Advocates During Remote Learning
Students returning to school this year will need to speak up for themselves in new ways; tools and advice for youth with disabilities and those who support them.
- 6 W’s of self advocacy
- Understanding the chain of command/hierarchy
- Helping your student self-advocate during distance learning
Register for webinar series View flyer
August 27 – Sharing Our Strengths & Struggles
A virtual support chat for parents/caregivers designed to be responsive to their experience and needs.
- Space is limited.
- Pre-registration required. https://tinyurl.com/SharingChats
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports: Strategies For Supporting Your Child’s Learning at Home
August 19 – PBIS & Routines
September 2 – Expectations
September 16 – Behavior
A 3-part webinar series about planning for your child’s transition back to school and learning what you can do to support learning in your home, plan for their your child’s transition back to school, and learn what you can do to support learning in the home utilizing Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports.
- Register: tinyurl.com/MiMTSSMAF
- Flyer: tinyurl.com/PBISwebinars
MPAS Conducts ‘Return to School 2020 Parent Survey’ Share Your Voice Today!
Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service (MPAS) is surveying parents about their thoughts and concerns for the upcoming 2020 – 2021 school year. You can participate in the survey by clicking the link below.
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