George James

New Technology to Help Child Protective Services Improvements

The Michigan Children’s Protective Services division of the Department of Health and Human Services is getting a technology overhaul that is meant to move caseworkers away from the computer and toward the children they are helping.

The new technology is intended to be streamlined and more effective. It will replace the current system over the next four to five years. The new system is partially funded by an IT development Grant and contracted to Deloitte Consultants, LLP. The vendor has to prove success with the initial rollout to continue with the next phases of the overhaul.

CPS’ new director, Demetrius Starling said, “This change will allow our workers to spend more time with children and families, which is our priority. This new system will provide more reliable information technology to the state employees who investigate child abuse and neglect allegations and help youth in foster care and those facing juvenile justice cases.

Some of the change is spurred by new federal mandates for reporting and data collection. Federal grants are paying for about half of the cost of the development of the new system. The new approach aligns with the complete transformation of CPS. The division has been under federal court oversight for over a decade.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Optimist Skate Park Getting Closer to Construction

Port Huron, MI — A lot of planning and fundraising is paying off for Port Huron’s new skatepark. The design concept was revealed at a virtual meeting last week and received a lot of constructive feedback from bikers and skaters in the community.

The meeting was the third design workshop as the skatepark gets closer to construction. Those in attendance were biking and skating enthusiasts who are dedicated to making the park the best it can be.

The skatepark will be located at Optimist Park off of 10th Avenue not far from downtown. It is designed for bikes, skateboards, and inline skates and is meant to be a destination for all levels of thrill-seekers.

With a $750,000 price tag, the skatepark is being funded with community support and grants from the Tony Hawk Foundation and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. foundation. The project will be unique in that it will have a rain garden and will be incorporating green stormwater practices.

Micah Shapiro, the designer with Grindline Skateparks, said that the park will be more than just for Port Huron but will also have a regional draw. Parking and amenities like lighting and water stations are part of the concept.

The design is expected to be finalized this month. Bids for construction are hoped to go out this summer.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Beatrice Thornton Art Show Goes Virtual this Year

Port Huron, MI — The Beatrice Thornton Student Art Exhibition is in progress and can be viewed from the comfort of your own home. The annual art show is in its 53rd year, featuring the work of 275 elementary school students from the area.

In a normal year, the artwork would be featured in the Fine Arts Gallery at St. Clair County Community College and proud parents and grandparents would stroll through and admire the work of the young artists. But opening the gallery to the public in the midst of the pandemic is not an option with year and the gallery has been forced to go “virtual”.

The artwork from Landmark Academy, Memphis Elementary, and some of the elementary schools in Port Huron Schools can be found on the St. Clair County Community College website.

The artwork is shown in video form with gallery cards that name the student, grade, art teacher, and school. The exhibit is named after Beatrice Thornton, a Port Huron art teacher who wanted to give art students a gallery experience outside of the classroom setting.

The elementary school art show runs through the end of May.

https://sc4.edu/campus-life/arts/beatrice-thornton-2021/?fbclid=IwAR0seyMAKK05ocLSIHTM6MKW7fYyRTkfrgfi-1hMcaeaWwJwLvrZF9wGvOI

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan’s Infant Mortality Rate Drops to Lowest Recorded Level

There is encouraging news coming from the Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Section of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. After analyzing the data, 2019, the most recent year analyzed, had the lowest infant mortality rates- 6.4 per thousand- in recorded history for the state of Michigan.

The legacy of racial disparity in infant mortality rates is also showing signs of decreasing. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun of MDHHS said, “It is encouraging that Michigan achieved an all-time low infant mortality rate in 2019, as well as the fact that we are starting to see a decreasing trend in the infant mortality disparity ratio between Black and white infants.”

Khaldun noted that the department used “vigilance and intentionality” to fight infant mortality. She said the effort must continue to assure healthy outcomes for Michigan mothers and babies.

The 2020-2023 Mother-Infant Health & Equity Improvement Plan uses strategies to work toward the goal of Zero Preventable Deaths and Zero Health Disparities. The 2019 report shows a good start toward the goal.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

SBA Rolls Out Grants for Restaurants, Bars, Foodservice

Help could be on the way for struggling restaurants and bars. The U.S. Small Business Administration is reaching out to restaurants and other foodservice businesses that have been adversely affected by the pandemic. $28.6 billion in Restaurant Revitalization Funds are allocated toward relief nationwide.

The first three weeks of the enrollment period, with the application period having started Monday, is reserved for eligible owners who are women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged. After that, it is a first-come, first-serve application. The application will remain open until the funds are spent.

The minimum amount awarded is $1,000, but goes way up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location, to make up for pandemic losses. Eligible businesses include restaurants, food trucks, bars, saloons, wineries and distilleries, bakeries, and others.

Brian Calley, President of the Small Business Association of Michigan said, “This is critical relief to some of our hardest hit small businesses. Funds are limited, so I encourage eligible businesses apply as soon as the application window opens to ensure they get the support they need.”

For more information on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, visit sba.gov/restaurants or in Spanish at sba.gov/restaurantes.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Detours in Store for Drivers as Road Work Ramps Up

Lapeer Road between Wadhams and Allen Roads is going to be closed to westbound traffic starting today, according to the St. Clair County Road Commission. The closure is in effect for 50 days.

The work includes milling the existing asphalt and rubblizing the underlying concrete. The work also includes widening the road for a left turn lane and paving a portion of the shoulder of the road. There will also be drainage improvements, new pavement markings, and site restoration. The work is being done by Boddy Construction.

The Lapeer Road work will completely close the westbound lanes, but the eastbound traffic will be maintained. The posted detour is Allen Road to Griswold Road to Wadhams Road. Local access to homes and businesses will be maintained also with access for emergency vehicles. 

The road work has been budgeted to cost $750,000 and is being paid for with St. Clair County Road Commission Funds.

Smaller projects in the county include painting of the Masters Road bridge over the Belle River between Riley Center Road and Eagling Road, which is taking place between May 6th and June 5th.

At the north end of the county, the Fisher Road Bridge over Burtch Creek, between State Road and M-25, will be getting a new coat of paint from today until June 2nd.

Detour routes are posted for traffic in both directions for both of the bridge painting projects.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland