To apply, mail or email a cover letter and resume by September 15 to: Jane Shank, ACMH Executive Director, 6017 W. St. Joe Hwy, Suite 200 Lansing, MI  48917   e-mail to: [email protected].

Family-Partnership Support Coordinator Job Posting 2017 Final

The ACMH Statewide Family/Partnership Support Coordinator (FSC) will provide information and referral, support, encouragement, community linkages and assistance by phone and online to families of children with emotional, behavioral, or mental health disorders; In addition the FSC will support parents and caregivers to fully participate in family-driven practices, treatment and supports by helping families to better understand and manage their child’s mental health challenges, the public and private mental health systems, available treatments, supports and resources, and by assisting families to negotiate, problem solve and navigate community agencies.

The FSC will also provide outreach and help to identify families who have an interest in participating in systems reform and leadership activities; manage social media presence on platforms including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and provide administrative assistance and support for the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and ACMH data collection.

**Applicants for this position must have experience parenting a child or youth with emotional, behavioral, and/or mental health challenges who has received mental health services. Experience with child serving systems including CMH, DHS, Court, School is preferred.

This position is a full-time office based position in ACMH’s state office in Lansing.

Work hours will be M-F 8:00 a.m. til 4:30 p.m. with a 30 minute lunch.

If you are interested in this position or know someone who would be a good candidate please download the job posting for a complete list of qualifications and job duties today!

Family-Partnership Support Coordinator Job Posting 2017 Final

 

Parents Partnering for Change, a training of the Parent Leadership in State Government Initiative training, is starting recruiting for their  next two trainings which will be held in:

• Cadillac on May 22nd and 23rd PPC Flyer Cadillac 
• Bad Axe on June 6th and 7th     PPC Flyer Bad Axe

To view the Advocate Group’s  commentary click here to download: Commentary_298_March_’17 The group which includes  the Association for Children’s Mental Health; The Arc Michigan; Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan; Mental Health Association in Michigan; Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council; Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service; National Alliance on Mental Illness – Michigan; United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Detroit; and the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Michigan continues to have concerns about the process going forward and the continued push for Medicaid Health Plans driven pilots.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services submitted the Section 298 Final Report to the Michigan legislature today. The final version is available for download below. The 42 model proposals were also submitted.

MDHHS would like to thank the hundreds of Michiganders who participated in statewide discussions as part of the Section 298 Initiative. MDHHS and the 298 Facilitation Workgroup used your comments and feedback as part of developing the final report, which will help guide upcoming legislative discussions on the coordination of physical health and behavioral health services. MDHHS will continue to engage stakeholders throughout the upcoming discussion.

Final Report of the 298 Facilitation Workgroup

Section 298 All Model Proposals

For more information about Section 298 click here to view archived posts.

MDHHS recently reported that Steve Yager has announced he will be retiring from state service at the end of April. Steve has served as an outstanding Executive Director of the Children’s Services Agency and has led an outstanding team to protect the safety and well-being of vulnerable children in Michigan.

Today Director Lyon announced the appointment of Dr. Herman McCall to be the next Executive Director of the Children’s Services Agency at MDHHS. Dr. McCall has been a key member of our team as Director of Juvenile Justice Programs and brings tremendous expertise and dedication to this role.

Dr. McCall will begin working alongside Steve effective Monday, February 27, to provide for a smooth transition upon his retirement April 28.

Please see the press release for additional details. Press Release New Children’s Services Director

Families USA has put together a user-friendly fact sheet that highlights many of the important issues that may go along with ACA Replacement.

You can download the document here familiesusa.org-Republicans ACA Replacement Proposals Fall Short of Providing the Protections and Care People Current (1)

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is seeking public feedback on the financing of Michigan’s efforts to better coordinate physical, mental health services

The public can provide feedback beginning today on draft financing models for the statewide effort to improve coordination of physical and behavioral health services.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has posted on its website a survey that gives stakeholders a chance to play a role in determining financing for the initiative, which is known as Section 298.

To link directly to MDHHS’s press release click here.

To link the Section 298 Stakeholder page and find a link to the survey click here.

Click here to read the February 2017 Michigan Juvenile Justice Collaborative’s Newsletter.

Click here to link directly to the January 2017 Governmental Affairs Update shared by the ARC Michigan and RWC Advocacy or view it below:

January 2017

Government Affairs Update

The 99th Michigan Legislature convened on Wednesday, January 11. There was no committee or floor activity (other than bill introductions), in anticipation of the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference on January 12, the Governor’s State of the State address on January 17, and the completion of House committee assignments (see below for more on all three). Activity in both chambers will pick up the week of January 23.

Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference

The State Treasurer and other state fiscal leaders gathered on January 12 to finalize revenue projections for the coming year (Fiscal Year 2017-2018). In general, the state’s economy continues to climb slowly and it does not appear that any cuts will be needed in the current fiscal year (due in part to $478 million in one-time revenue from the last fiscal year that will carry forward). Legislative leaders and incoming State Budget Director Al Pscholka stressed that the FY 2018 budget will be “cautious” in light of the forecast and other potential influences on revenue collections, such a declining housing market due to higher interest rates or an unexpected business tax refund. Overall, there is projected revenue growth of $613 million combined for the General Fund and School Aid Fund in FY 2017; combined growth of $558 million in FH 2018; and combined growth of $415 million in FY 2019.Click Here for Consensus Revenue Agreement Executive Summary Economic and Revenue Forecasts Fiscal Years 2017, 2018 and 2019

State of the State Address

Governor Snyder delivered his 7th, and second-to-last, State of the State address on January 17. The address was primarily a rundown of numerous issues before the state, such as job growth and infrastructure needs, but contained very few new proposals or initiatives. In contrast to last year’s address, there was very little mention of Flint. The Governor did note the success of the Heathy Michigan Plan and announced that he will be joining other Republican Governors later this week to urge that Congress not dismantle Medicaid expansion as part of any Affordable Care Act revisions.
The Governor began his speech by touting the recent economic development growth announced in Michigan recently. The Governor reiterated his support and success of the Healthy Michigan Plan (Medicaid expansion). It was announced earlier today that the Governor will be in Washington DC this week urging members of Congress to maintain Medicaid expansion.

The Governor announced a crowd sourcing challenge urging creative minds to find a solution to the looming Asian carp crisis in the Great Lakes. For more information, please see www.mi.gov/carpchallenge.
The “vocational village” program in the Ionia prison aimed at giving inmates job skills will be expanded to the Jackson prison and the Huron Valley women’s correctional facility.
The 21st Century Infrastructure Commission recommendations were highlighted, focusing on funding and the asset management component of the commission’s recommendations.
“Place making” was previewed as an item the Governor will recommend for additional resources in the upcoming budget.
The Governor applauded the legislature for adopting autonomous vehicle regulations and touted “Planet M,” which is the overall brand for automotive mobility.
Michigan’s population should again grow above 10 million people – we are only 70,000 shy at this point.

Key documents from the Governor on accomplishments in the past 6 years and initiatives the Governor discussed during the address are available at:
http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277–402543–,00.html

The full transcript of the address can be found here.

House of Representatives Committee Assignments

House Speaker Tom Leonard is expected to announce House committee assignments sometime the week of January 23. The full House has adopted its Standing Rules in House Resolution 1, which establishes the names and number of members for standing committees for the coming session. There are numerous changes in both from last session, among them: the Education Committee has been renamed the Education Reform Committee and will have 12 members; the Criminal Justice Committee was renamed the Law and Justice Committee and will have 12 members; and the Elections Committee will now be called the Elections and Ethics Committee.
Click Here for STANDING RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MICHIGAN CONSTITUTION ARTICLE IV, SECTION 16

Legislation

Senate Bill 35 – Reintroduction of legislation to regulate charitable gaming millionaire parties. Introduced by Senator Rick Jones, referred to the Senate Committee on Regulatory Reform.

Senate Bills 29 – 32 – Legislation to further modify the deadline for eliminating the Health Insurance Claims Assessment (HICA), from July 1, 2020 to May 31, 2017 unless the federal government provides written notification and explanation that HICA is impermissible and that federal Medicaid funding would be reduced. The bills also create a Health Services Fund in the Department of Treasury to Introduced by Senator Horn (SB 29), referred to the Senate Committee on Health Policy.

Senate Bills 36 and 38 – Legislation to allow inclusion of fingerprint/photograph of a person with special health care needs in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System and statewide network of photos upon request of parent or guardian. Introduced by Senator Rick Jones, referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary. Hearing scheduled for January 24.

House Bill 4051 – Legislation to require lead screening for all children under age six who are enrolled in Medicaid or MI Child. Introduced by Representative Schor, referred to the House Health Policy Committee.

**Direct links to all the bills mentioned above can be found using the link at the top of the page.

Other

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services submitted its Section 298 Initiative interim to the Michigan Legislative on January 13, as required in the FY 2017 budget act. The reports calls, among other things, continuing the separation of payment operations for physical and behavioral health services. It also recommends that any change to the status quo be “partly informed and guided” by integration demonstration and pilot projects. Further, the report recommends steps to end coverage gaps and to incentivize screening for substance use disorders. The report does acknowledge that significant changes in federal policy and funding could affect the recommendations. A second phase of the Initiative is now underway and will focus on the development of recommendations on models and benchmarks for implementation. A second, final report will be presented to the Legislative in mid-March.
Click the following link for the MDHHS Interim 298 Report: Final Interim Report of the 298 Facilitation Workgroup – Final Version

 

 

The Family Center For Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs is excited to let you know about our Summer Camp Scholarship opportunity!

Effective immediately, they would like to invite families to apply to receive a summer camp scholarship up to $250. The Summer Camp Scholarship is designed to assist families with sending their child with special health care needs to a summer camp of their choosing.

Applications are being accepted now and through the end of March 2017. Families will be required to submit a completed application along with the Attendance Confirmation Form, which will need to be filled out by the Camp Director. The required forms are attached below as one PDF file.

Please feel free to share this with other families within your network or families. Questions can be answered by calling  Family Phone Line at 800-359-3722.

Funding is limited, so please apply as soon as possible. Download the application here:

FC-Summer-Camp-Scholarship-Application-2017