News

(April 17, 2020 3:44 PM) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the Stay Home, Stay MIndful website in partnership with Headspace, a global leader in mindfulness and meditation, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to provide a new mental health resource for Michiganders to access for free during the COVID-19 pandemic facing both the state and nation.   Starting today, Michiganders across the state can access a specially-curated collection of science-backed, evidence-based guided meditations, along with at-home workouts that guide people through mindful exercises, sleep and kids content to help address rising stress and anxiety. Available at www.headspace.com/MI an internet connection is the only thing that is needed to access these tools to while you stay home and stay safe.  “Michiganders have faced an unprecedented crisis over the past month, and in these uncertain times having access to mental health resources is crucial,” said Gov. Whitmer. “That is why I am proud to partner with Headspace, I know this science-based resource will be valuable during this challenging time. This virus has taken a toll on Michiganders’ physical and mental health. While we all stay home and stay safe, it is so important take the time to check in and take care yourself.  Michiganders are tough, but having access to tools like this one will help us all get through this together.”  In 25 published studies in some of the…

(April 17, 2020 3:25 PM)  Michigan reported 760 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, with the state reported total now at 30,023. The State of Michigan is reporting 134 COVID-19-related deaths today, bringing the state total to 2,227.    State Cumulative Total of Recovered COVID-19 Cases (as of 4/10/2020): 433.  This number is updated weekly. MDHHS staff will review death certificate data maintained in Vital Records reporting systems, weekly. Records that identify COVID-19 infection as a contributing factor to death are compared against all laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Michigan Disease Surveillance System (MDSS). If a death certificate is matched to a confirmed COVID-19 case, the MDSS record is updated to indicate the death and the appropriate local health department is notified. These matched deaths will be included with mortality information posted to the Michigan Coronavirus website. Today’s data includes 30 additional deaths identified through this methodology. This information is updated daily at 3 p.m., with COVID-19 results included as of 10 a.m.. Confirmed COVID-19 Cases by Jurisdiction updated 4/17/2020 County Confirmed Cases Reported Deaths Alcona 1   Allegan 29   Alpena 2 1 Antrim 8   Arenac 7   Barry 21 1 Bay 69 2 Berrien 144 8 Branch…

(April 17, 2020 3:14 PM) The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) has launched a new program providing a total of $502,400 in grants to Michigan’s eligible nonprofit arts and culture organizations that have been negatively impacted as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today. “With the outbreak of COVID-19, many of our state’s arts and culture organizations are faced with serious economic impacts, including challenges with cash flow and resources to support their workforce,” said MCACA Director Alison Watson. “The Emergency Relief Funds program will provide assistance to these organizations that add so much value to Michigan’s economy and bolster the creative life of our communities.”  MCACA, through funding provided by the National Endowment for the Arts through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, will make a total of $502,400 in one-time grants to eligible nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, ensuring broad geographic distribution across Michigan. The funds can be used for salary support (full or partial) for one or more employees; fees for artists and/or contractual personnel; and facility costs, such as rent and utilities.   To be eligible, applicants must be a nonprofit arts and cultural…

(April 17, 2020 1:56 PM) The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has developed new resources to help Michigan workers certify their unemployment claims. Also, in order to avoid slowdowns and keep the UIA’s online system functioning properly, the agency is directing claimants who need to certify next week to avoid doing so on Monday, April 20 and instead wait to certify throughout the week and during off-peak hours. Mondays generally have the highest number of logins and web interactions  Under federal law, unemployed workers must certify that they are still unemployed two weeks after their initial claim is approved and every two weeks after. Once the claim is certified, benefit payments are disbursed. Claimants can certify their claim by visiting Michigan.gov/UIA  and signing into their MiWAM account. The UIA also released a video tutorial on certifying claims that can be found here and a helpful info graphic on the process can also be found here. “Workers who need to certify their claims should avoid doing so on Monday and instead certify later in the week during off-peak hours,” said UIA Director Steve Gray. “The day of the week you certify doesn’t impact benefit amounts and by spreading out the certifications you’ll…

(April 17, 2020 10:38 AM) As a result of a federal requirement, stimulus payments to noncustodial parents who owe child support will be directed to custodial parents and children, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced.  “The Office of Child Support wants to make sure parents understand what is happening with stimulus payments to people who owe child support,” said Office of Child Support Director Erin Frisch.   As federal stimulus payments – officially known as Economic Impact Payments – authorized by the CARES Act are sent to Michigan parents who owe child support and qualify for enforcement, all or a portion of this payment will be intercepted by the IRS through the Tax Offset Program. The funds will then go to the MDHHS Office of Child Support to be applied to the child support debt owed – as required by the CARES Act.  Funds will be distributed to the custodial parent or guardian in the same way the Office of Child Support distributes all yearly federal income tax refunds that are intercepted.   The CARES Act authorized stimulus payments to address economic issues and unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The law requires stimulus payments to…