MDHHS Targeting Ads at Vaccine Skeptics

No one wants the COVID-19 pandemic over with more than the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. They have been at the forefront of both managing the state’s response to the virus and promoting vaccination. The latest campaign by the MDHHS is a $1.5 million multimedia program designed to help Michiganders feel more comfortable with the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

There is significant hesitancy in getting the vaccine. According to MDHHS, 66% of Michiganders are likely or very likely to get the COVID-19 vaccine and 34% would like to get it as soon as possible. They report that 47% of white Michiganders are very likely to get the vaccine while only 25% of black Michiganders are very likely to get the vaccine.

The reasons that people don’t want to get the vaccine include concerns about side effects, reluctance to be a “test subject”, needing to know more about the vaccine’s safety, wanting to know more about the long-term performance of the vaccine, questions about effectiveness, and concerns about political motivations to pushing the vaccine through safety tests. 

The multimedia campaign will target the concerns and promote the safety of the vaccine. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLaren Settles with DEA Over “Prescribing Irregularities”

McLaren Health Care entered into a legal settlement with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices pertaining to retail pharmacy operations at McLaren Port Huron.

According to a press release from McLaren, the agreement stems from a lengthy effort with the DEA, which discovered “prescribing irregularities” in 2018, which led to the firing of a pharmacist who was diverting opioids for personal use. The DEA found problems with recordkeeping, dispensing, and distributing controlled substances dating back to before McLaren acquired Port Huron Hospital.

April Rudoni, Interim Compliance Director and Chair of McLaren’s Controlled Substance Oversight Committee, said, “Our health system takes compliance very seriously and regrets any instance in which we do not meet our regulators’ requirements or our own high standards. From the moment the DEA’s first concern was brought to our attention we have worked diligently to strengthen protocols across our system. I am proud of the culture of accountability and compliance we maintain and look forward to continued collaboration with the DEA moving forward.”

McLaren reportedly paid over $7.7 million in the settlement and entered into a three-year plan to prevent future violations.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

RESA Provides Free WiFi for Students

St. Clair County RESA is providing free, 24-hour, high-speed Wi-Fi access across the county to local students, faculty, and staff who may not have high-speed internet connectivity at home. 

RESA’s IT Department has set up the hotspots in school parking lots across the county so users can maintain social distancing while accessing the internet from their cars. The project was made possible by a Michigan MiConnect grant. 

“This technology will help support our students, staff, and families who live in areas of our county that don’t have high-speed internet service,” said St. Clair County RESA Superintendent Dr. Kevin Miller. “This is exactly what we are trying to accomplish in conjunction with our Community Educational Network, formed a few years ago to use our RESA fiber network to reach homes without reliable, secure, and high-speed internet, which is critical during times of remote learning.” 

The Wi-Fi hotspots allow students without internet access and those with unstable or slow home service to drive to locations across the county to get free and fast connections. The service provides a full range of internet usage from an individual’s personal device, such as viewing websites, downloading materials, and logging in to instructional programs. At all of the hotspots, students and staff will be able to connect to the network using their school credentials. 

RESA is working with local communities to expand the number of these “drive-in” internet locations. 

Parking lot WiFi locations and directions on how to connect to the network are available on the RESA website at www.sccresa.org.

Submitted by St. Clair County RESA

Become an Angel for People Seeking Recovery

Families Against Narcotics (FAN) created the Hope Not Handcuffs program to offer another avenue to recovery for those struggling with substance abuse. The program trains law enforcement to connect those who want help with a program volunteer,  or Angel, to help them find a treatment option.

Because of the Hope Not Handcuffs program, anyone struggling with a substance use disorder can go to a participating police agency and ask for help. They will receive support, compassion, and respect as they are guided through the intake process.

Becoming an Angel on the Hope Not Handcuffs team requires an online application process and virtual training program. Angels help participating organizations with intake paperwork and support clients until a treatment option is found. They are required to volunteer to be on call 8 hours a month.

For more information on Angel training and to register for upcoming trainings in January and February, visit familiesagainstnarcotics.org/hopenothandcuffs-angel.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Small Business Survival Grant Program Open Now

Michigan’s small businesses impacted by the recent COVID-19 emergency “gatherings and face mask orders” can begin applying for $55 million in Michigan Small Business Survival grants through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to businesses that are fully closed, with grants of up to $15,000 awarded to businesses that have been partially closed, or otherwise are open and can demonstrate an impact.

The statewide application went live on Tuesday, January 19th at  www.michiganbusiness.org/survival. Applications will be accepted through 12:00 p.m. (noon)on Friday, January 22, 2021.

The Michigan Small Business Survival Grants will be administered and reviewed by the local Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) based on eligibility requirements and local priorities and objectives. Grants will not be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Businesses must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

  • Had 1 to 100 employees (including full-time, part-time and owner/employees) on a world-wide basis on November 17, 2020.
  • Is in an industry that demonstrates it is affected by the “gatherings and face mask orders.”
  • Needs working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses.
  • Can demonstrate an income loss as a result of the orders as determined by the EDO in which an eligible business is located.
  • Is not a live music and entertainment venue that is eligible for the Michigan Stage Survival grant program.

Submitted by Governor Whitmer’s Office

“Anthony’s Autism Awareness” Provides Sensory Boxes to Emergency Vehicles

Emergency vehicles throughout the county are now equipped with sensory boxes for use in assisting in contacts with people on the autism spectrum. The sensory boxes are being assembled and donated by Anthony’s Autism Awareness, a local non-profit.

The Marysville Police/Fire/EMS department, Port Huron City Police, Port Huron Fire Department, Fort Gratiot Fire Department, and St. Clair County Sheriff are the latest recipients of the boxes and the hope is to get more sensory boxes in the hands of more departments. Sensory boxes contain items like fidget spinners and small toys that might help those on the spectrum with relaxation during a stressful situation.

Anthony’s Autism Awareness is accepting donations to help buy the items. The boxes cost about $7 each with the goal being to have them in every police car or emergency responder vehicle in St. Clair County.

The mission of the non-profit is to “encourage awareness, acceptance and understanding in the community and offer support and resources to people with autism, and their families”.

More information is on the Anthony’s Autism Awareness Facebook page.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland