MI Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program Informational Meeting March 16th
The cost of childcare can be a deal-breaker for parents contemplating entering the workforce. That could change for workers in the Blue Water area thanks to the MI Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program. A state grant has provided $300,000 for St. Clair County’s Tri-Share Program.
The MI Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program shares the cost of childcare between the state, the employer, and the parent. Participating employers could see their employees’ childcare costs decreased by two-thirds, giving them more incentive to get back into the workforce and stay employed.
Business owners and Human Resources Professionals are asked to attend a short informational virtual meeting on Wednesday, March 16th to learn more about the innovative new program and how it can impact their business.
The meeting is hosted by the St. Clair County RESA and the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County. A link to sign up for the Zoom meeting can be found <HERE>.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Operation Transformation Plans Open House to “Spring Ahead” with Fundraising Goals
Operation Transformation is hoping to “Spring Ahead” by raising $25,000. They will be hosting an Open House where donors and interested community members can see what the Port Huron non-profit does in the area.
The Open House is Thursday, March 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at their headquarters at 1904 Poplar Street in Port Huron. Donations can be made at the Open House, or by phone or mail. They have a $6,000 matching fund that could be doubled at the fundraiser.
Those who attend the Open House will get to see what OT has been up to over the past year and get a look at their ongoing projects.
Operation Transformation works with civic and service organizations to reach out to the community. Projects include the Seek God for the City Lenten program, the Compass Christian Business Alliance, Foster Care Assistance, and other initiatives like food giveaways.
OT is also the organizer of the popular Family Night activities during the annual Blue Water Fest in the summer.
Go to optrans.org for more information.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
McLain Protests Russian Animal Research and COVID Vaccine Databases
Congresswoman Lisa McLain, who represents the 10th Congressional District, which includes the Blue Water Area, has taken action on two issues recently: animal research in Russia and the potential for a national database of federal employees who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 due to religious exemption.
Regarding animal research, McLain demanded that the National Institutes of Health end their funding of animal research at Russian state-run labs. There are currently four labs in Russia that receive some form of funding from the United States. The proposed act would prevent funding in several countries that are considered foreign adversaries.
McLain also cosponsored the Preventing Abusive Government Efforts (PAGE) Act which would “prohibit the federal government from compiling or maintaining a database of federal employees who received a religious exemption or accommodation for the COVID vaccine.”
McLain said, “The PAGE Act will not only prevent the government from tracking those who got a religious exemption, but it’ll also ensure any existing database is destroyed.”
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Toll Rates Remain the Same for Those Who Can Travel to Canada
If you download the app, get the shot, get a test, and have a good reason, you can cross the border into Canada for the same toll rate as last year. The Michigan Department of Transportation reports that Canadian currency rates will not change for traffic heading into Canada via the Blue Water Bridge. The decision was made following the latest currency parity review and remains in effect until the end of September.
Passenger vehicle rates remain at $3.75 per trip with another $3.75 Canadian for each extra axle. Trucks and busses can enter Canada at a rate of $4 Canadian. There is a discount program through the Edge Commuter Pass.
ArriveCAN is a mandatory app that is used to track Covid testing and vaccination compliance. It records proof of vaccination, test results, quarantine plans, and other personal information as part of Canada’s required border crossing procedure.
There are some exceptions to the requirements, but they need to be addressed prior to reaching the border. More information can be found at the Canada Border Services Agency website.
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/menu-eng.html
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
MDHHS Updates Quarantine Guidance
As the state enters a recovery phase of the pandemic, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) updated their guidance for quarantine and isolation due to declining cases of COVID-19. This guidance applies to the general public, not to congregate care settings like hospitals , nursing homes, and other health care settings or jails.
A person who tests positive for COVID-19 should isolate at home for 5 days. Anyone who is exposed to COVID-19 by a a close contact or someone in their household should avoid unmasked activities and wear a mask around others for 10 days while they monitor for symptoms. Those exposed should also test for COVID-19 on day 3-7 or as soon as symptoms develop. These guidelines apply to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
If a person is exposed to COVID-19 at work or in a community setting, they should monitor for symptoms for 10 days, test if symptoms develop, and consider wearing a mask for at least 10 days after exposure, especially if they are around high-risk individuals.
MDHHS reminds the public that orders from local health departments, schools, event organizers, and individual businesses should continue to be followed along with these new guidelines.
Under this new guidance, schools no longer have to report confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases.
For more details visit: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand