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Michigan’s summer food program for kids information

July 10th, 2008

foodassistantfoxPlease find below 2008 flyers from The Center for Civil Justice on Michigan’s summer food program for kids. Also provided below are links to useful Websites for those who might need help with food assistance.

Food Assistance Flyers to post:
Summer Food Assistance Flyer • Michigan
Summer Food Assistance Flyer Spanish • Michigan

Helpline Flyer

Useful Websites for Food Assistance:

Michigan Food Stamp Partnership Web Site

Department of Education Summer Food Service Program
Summer Food Service Program Fact Sheet

Department of Human Services
Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)
United States Department of Agriculture Nutrition Assistance Programs

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State to revamp foster care system in settlement • Quick end to suit averts federal trial

July 9th, 2008

Click here to download Children’s Rights Lawsuit Settlement

From Detroit Free Press
BY ROBIN ERB • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • July 4, 2008

Michigan must hire hundreds of caseworkers and specialists, create an agency dedicated to the welfare of children and spend an estimated $200 million revamping its foster care system as part of a settlement of a class action announced Thursday.

For the thousands of children in Michigan’s foster care system, the agreement hopefully will mean spending less time without a permanent home and better care while in it, according to officials at both the Michigan Department of Human Services and Children’s Rights, the New York-based advocacy group that bought the suit in 2006. The settlement averts a potentially long and expensive federal trial that was set to begin Monday.

Within five years, caseloads should be reduced to about 15 per foster care caseworker, meaning there will be more visits to foster homes and facilities. And DHS will add about 700 new employees — 278 of whom are in the process of being hired or are hired, said Edward Woods III, spokesman for the department.

The state agreed from the start that it needed to change its system, Woods said. It was a matter of making the best changes.

“The problem comes with these types of issues is, ‘What is the best way to do it?’ … The motivation all along has been kids,” he said.

Children’s Rights officials said the settlement will mean “top-to-bottom reform and federal court oversight of Michigan’s long-failing child welfare system” — changes that DHS estimates could cost about $50 million annually for the next four years — about 6% more than the state would be expected to spend on children’s services during that period.

Many of the reforms are under way, but the settlement formalizes them, Woods said. Costs will be shared by state and federal funds.

“There’s a lot of good substance here. Something I’m struck by and pleased about is that all of the things in the agreement are important, and a number of them are being worked on,” said Janet Reynolds Snyder, executive director of the Michigan Federation for Children and Families, an association of private foster care providers. She called the settlement “truly a historic moment in Michigan.”
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Federation members host DHS Central Office staff at special lunch reception June 26

May 24th, 2008

What: Federation-hosted Get-Acquainted Lunch Reception
When: Thursday, June 26, 2008, 12:00 – 1:30 PM
Where: 309 N. Washington Square, Lansing – First Floor Conference Room

Directors, managers and administrative support staff of DHS Central Office are invited to join the CEOs and senior management staff of Federation Full and Affiliate member agencies in this informal lunch setting. The purpose is to put faces to names, get acquainted, and build a collegial rapport that can only enhance our close working relationships as we face the many challenges of our chosen vocation—meeting the needs of Michigan’s most vulnerable children and families.

Please let us know if you can attend. For your convenience, Click here to RSVP.

It will be most helpful to have your response by June 19 to be sure we order sufficient lunches!

We look forward to lunching with you!

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June 12: “Parent Management Training - Oregon Model (PMTO)” training in Lansing

May 23rd, 2008

cmhauthlogoOn Thursday, June 12, 2008 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Community Mental Health Authority-CEI, Mental Health, Juvenile Justice Screening, Assessment & Diversion Project will present “Parent Management Training - Oregon Model (PMTO).”

PMTO is “an evidence-based, structured intervention program to help parents and caregivers manage the behavior of the children they are responsible for. It is designed to promote social skills and cooperation and prevent, reduce and reverse the development of moderate to severe conduct problems in children age 4 – 12.”
This training features an overview of PMTO by Dr. Marion Forgatch, a Senior Research Scientist at the Oregon Social Learning Center (OSLC) in Eugene, Oregon. In addition, the State and various Regional Coordinators for Michigan’s PMTO programs have graciously agreed to present how their programs got started, are funded, and bring value to their communities.

CEU’s for licensed social workers: This program is approved by the Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Collaborative for 6 CE Clock Hours

For further information about Parent Management Training Oregon model visit: click here.
Click here to download the PMTO Agenda and Registration Form.

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June 9: Reintegration Training “Youth Stepping Out”

April 25th, 2008

This day-long training in Mt. Pleasant sponsored by DHS will feature Probate Judge Dorene Allen of Midland County for the opening address, followed by a youth panel and two sets of workshops. Registration is due by May 30; there is no charge to attend. The announcement and registration can be found here: June 9: Reintegration Training. Workshop titles are:

  • State and Federal Funding Sources and Payments for Youth in Out of Home Care
  • JJOLT: Now and the Near Future
  • The Workforce Investment Act for Youth
  • Registering Sex Offenders in Michigan
  • Advocacy and Problem Solving in Education and Rehabilitation Systems
  • Essential Ingredients of Successful Community-Based Plans
  • Building a Reintegration Program That Works
  • Navigating Funding Sources for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
  • Using the Child Care Fund for Reintegration
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