George James

Kids are Having a Hard Time. They Need Help.

Do you know the signs of a mental health crisis in a school-age child? Do you how to help a student having a hard time? Guidance has been offered by the Michigan State Police and other state human service agencies.

Robert Sheehan, CEO of the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan, said, “The tragedy of the Oxford shootings, layered upon the collective trauma of the prolonged pandemic, has made many of us, as Michiganders, more fearful, more anxious, more reactive.”

Just listening is a good start for parents and kids. Getting professional help is also encouraged.

Sheehan said, “Now is the time for all of us to be attentive to the needs of each other and reach out rather than pull back; to listen with patience rather than lecture; to collectively build upon – and, where needed, rebuild – what has made our relationships and our communities strong. Only by taking these steps will we turn post-traumatic stress into post-traumatic growth.”

For immediate help, call the MDHHS WellHelp line at 1-888-535-6136 and press “8”.

https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MIMSP/2021/12/16/file_attachments/2024905/SchoolSafety_MentalHealth.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Nursing Home Workforce Stabilization Council Recently Created

The Michigan Nursing Home Workforce Stabilization Council has been established within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The Council will include state department directors, nursing home representatives, and nursing home residents. The council is charged to review, develop, and recommend policies, administrative actions, legislative changes, and other ways to improve nursing homes in the state.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who signed the Executive Order establishing the Council said, “I look forward to working with them and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to continue finding ways to boost nursing home staffing, promote transparency, and ensure sustainable, high-quality care for all nursing home residents.” 

In addition to government agency representatives, the Council will have five representatives of the nursing home workforce, five from nursing home employers, and three from nursing home residents, which can include family members.

Applications for the council are due on January 7th.

To apply to the Nursing Home Workforce Stabilization Council visit Michigan.gov/appointments and select “Nursing Home Workforce Stabilization Council” from the drop menu of the application.  

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

State Legislature Passes Billion-Dollar Supplemental Bill

If you had a billion dollars, how would you spend it? That’s the question that the Michigan legislature answered with the passing of supplemental funding legislation this week.

The bipartisan plan will invest $150 million for COVID school testing, $140 million for rental assistance, $36.3 million for lead testing, water distribution, inspections, blood testing, and more. There is also $14.1 million allocated for Nursing Home Strike Teams to monitor nursing homes in Michigan. Addressing a looming teacher shortage, there is $10 million earmarked to support teacher recruitment, training, development, and retention, and $6.9 million for the Michigan State Police.

Senator Jim Stamas, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee said, “Not only is this responsible, financial good-housekeeping that sets our state up well for the next year, but as a negotiated supplemental, I hope sets the tone for next year’s budget negotiations.” 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer praised the work of the legislature saying that she will analyze the legislation with key members of her administration and that she looks forward to signing the supplemental soon.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Can You Bake Cookies for a Cause? SOS Marysville Needs Christmas Cookies for Christmas Dinners

What is your favorite Christmas Cookie? Peanut Butter Blossom? Iced Sugar Cookie? Gingerbread? 

The SOS Marysville Food Pantry needs homemade cookies. They are delivering over 2,000 Christmas Dinners on Christmas Day and they need cookies to go along with the meals.

Heidi Richards from the Food Pantry said that they are getting help from a lot of local organizations and businesses who are hosting “Baking Cookies for a Cause” events, but they still need more.

Each dinner will include three cookies. Donors are asked to package the cookies in groups of three in small zip-lock bags. The cookies can be dropped off at the Marysville Methodist Church at 712 Huron Avenue in Marysville by 9:00 a.m. on Christmas morning.

Richards said, “We live in an amazing community. So many have volunteered to provide cookies for the shut-ins, homeless, and elderly. Over sixty individuals have committed to making from two dozen up to 15 dozen totaling 218 dozen.”

Richards said 282 dozen more cookies are needed. If you have questions, or can help, call Heidi at 810-650-6174.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Wyatt Walker Friendship Fund Helps Enrich the Lives of Local Youth

The Wyatt Walker Friendship Fund is enriching the lives of young people throughout the area. Recent donations to both Port Huron Northern High School and Discovery City at Port Huron Museums’ Carnegie Center are continuing the legacy of the late Wyatt Walker.

Gayle Walker said that she and her husband, Mark, truly believe that programs involving young people are the best investment of their time and money. The Wyatt Walker Friendship Fund was started in 1999 to honor the memory of the Walkers’ son, Wyatt. Walker said that the projects they fund are things that Wyatt would have loved.

Through the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, the Fund awarded grants to enrichment programs at Port Huron Northern High School this year. There was money left over and they decided to gift it to the Museums to help pay for Wednesday Mornings with Miss Michelle at Discovery City.

Mrs. Walker said that the fund looks for things that “build kindness, doing for others, and reaching out and helping”. 

https://www.phmuseum.org/discovery-city-childrens-exhibit/

https://www.stclairfoundation.org/wyatt-walker-friendship-fund-grants/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Repp Warns Against “One Size Fits All” Short-Term Rental Bill 

State legislation has been written that would provide for the regulation of short-term rental properties at a statewide level, stripping zoning power from municipalities. Short-term rentals are made when homeowners rent out their homes with services like Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, and others. 

 House Bill 4722 is sponsored by several lawmakers including State Representative Andrew Beeler of Port Huron. The bill has passed the House. A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate. 

There is fear that this could dramatically transform both neighborhoods and housing markets for both buyers and long-term renters. The Michigan Association of Townships says the bill would take zoning authority away from local governments.

Port Huron Mayor Pauline Repp is not a fan of the legislation, saying, “Anyone should be able to rent their home from time-to-time. That’s not what this bill is about. This bill opens up family homes in our community to be commercialized at a rate we never would allow locally. We need to determine for ourselves what’s best for our neighborhoods.”

A link to both bills can be found below. 

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(j3uxlwy530utr15knchy4lvk))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=2021-SB-0446

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(ywbjpifzsfuumq35250aqulv))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectname=2021-HB-4722

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland