George James

Firefighters, Survivors Benefit from New Laws

Two bills have been signed into law to support First Responders and their children in Michigan.

House Bill 4172 was signed into law last week to allow for current and former firefighters to be covered for certain cancers under the First Responder Presumed Coverage Fund. This includes full-time, part-time, paid on-call, and volunteer firefighters.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “We owe our state’s firefighters endless thanks for their selfless acts of service.” 

Republican Jeff Yaroch of Richmond sponsored the bill. Yaroch said, “Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect us – that’s why it’s important we ensure they’re taken care of when their work leads to injury and illness.”

Yaroch said he appreciates the bipartisan support for taking care of firefighters.

House Bill 4247 was also signed into law to streamline the Survivor Tuition Grant tuition assistance programs for children of fallen officers. The law removes the need to prove financial need.

Sponsor Matt Koleszar, a Plymouth Democrat, said, “With this action, we’re honoring the memories of all of those who made the ultimate sacrifice by honoring their commitments to their families after they pass.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Going PRO Talent Fund Awards Grants to Local Businesses

Michigan’s Going PRO Talent Fund has awarded grants to Michigan Businesses to support high-demand, high-skill employment. The fund has been credited with creating 145,000 jobs.

In St. Clair County, grants were awarded to several businesses and municipalities including Medilodges of Port Huron, St. Clair, and Yale; BioPro, Inc. and Dunn Paper of Port Huron; Magna Electrical Vehicle Structures of Marysville, and Selective Industries of Marine City. Ira Township, Marysville, and Avoca also received grants from the fund.

Stephanie Beckhorn, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) Office of Employment and Training said, “With professional trades accounting for 530,000 jobs in Michigan through 2028, with approximately 47,000 openings expected annually, this fund plays a vital role in helping Michigan employers meet their talent needs by investing in their current and future workers.”

The program was launched in 2014. More than 5,000 Michigan entities have received funding, with over 1,000 getting funding this year.

To learn more about the Going PRO Talent Fund, visit Michigan.gov/TalentFund.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron High School Students Make Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car

The future is now for students in the Principles of Engineering class at Port Huron High School. The students created a Hydrogen Fuel Cell car.

The high school students are part of the “Project Lead the Way” STEAM course, where they learned about energy sources and completed a project on energy application.

The result of the work was a vehicle that runs off of a hydrogen fuel cell. The students built the car, wired the circuit boards, and engaged the motor. They compared the hydrogen fuel-cell car to a car run off of AAA batteries.

As part of the learning process, students calculated the speed and power output of the hydrogen fuel cells.

Hydrogen-powered cars are in development by many automobile manufacturers. Hydrogen fuel is much more expensive than gasoline but is also much more efficient. Hydrogen-powered buses are in use in some parts of Europe.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

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