Mandated reporters who are legally required to report suspected child abuse and neglect can now do so online, strengthening efforts to keep Michigan children safe.  The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently launched the Michigan Online Reporting System for use by mandated reporters such as physicians, teachers and clergy who have established relationships with children based on their professions. Previously, mandated reporters had to call to make an immediate verbal report to Children’s Protective Services and follow up with a written report.  An amendment to Michigan’s Child Protection Law allowed MDHHS to create an online reporting system for mandated reporters as an option for reporting non-emergency suspected child abuse and neglect. More than 15,000 mandated reporters have registered to use the online system since February 2019.  Users have found the new reporting system to be efficient, convenient and timesaving, particularly during hours of high call volume on the CPS Centralized Intake toll-free hotline for abuse and neglect reporting.  “Protecting children is everybody’s business,” said JooYeun Chang, executive director of the MDHHS Children’s Services Agency. “We all have a role in making sure that children and families have the services and supports they need to grow and thrive. Children’s Protective Services needs the eyes and ears of the community – whether it’s mandated reporters or others – to investigate suspected child abuse or neglect and take action to keep children safe. The Michigan Online Reporting System makes it easier for mandated reporters to quickly provide the information that we need to protect Michigan’s children from future harm.”

The online system for mandated reporters also provides these advantages:

• Reports can be submitted 24/7 from anywhere with Internet access.
• The requirement to call the toll-free number and send a written report is eliminated when reporting suspected child abuse or neglect online.
• Supporting photos and documents can be uploaded into the online report.
• Submitted reports can be viewed for up to six months.
• The mandated reporter’s information is saved in the system so future reporting is faster and easier.

The toll-free hotline, 855-444-3911, remains available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for verbal reports of child abuse and neglect from mandated reporters or from the public. For emergencies, mandated reporters must call 911 and then the hotline – just as all other reporters are expected to do.  In 2018, CPS investigated approximately 67,000 reports of suspected child abuse and neglect as a result of reports from mandated reporters and investigated about 29,000 reports from other members of the public who were not mandated reporters.  More information about the Michigan Online Reporting System and who is a mandated reporter can be found at www.michigan.gov/mandatedreporter. The MDHHS site contains registration instructions, a user’s guide, a guide to detailed reporting, and frequently asked questions about online reporting. Only mandated reporters can use the online system.

At the first of the month, the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners will have a vacancy on the board.  According to St. Clair County Administrator Karry Hepting, Councilman Karl Tomion has informed the board of his intent to submit his resignation on June 6th.  Hepting says by statue the board has 30 days from the day the letter is received to appoint someone to step in.  If the board is not able to appoint someone a special election must be held.  The board is soliciting applications from anyone that is interested in filling the seat for the remainder of the term.  Those applications are due at the city clerk’s office by June 12 at 4 p.m.  Eligibility will be checked and then on June 13^th applicants will go before the commissioners in a special meeting, to talk briefly about their interest in serving on the board.  An interview session will take place on June 20th and it is their hope and intent  to appoint a replacement on June 20^th.

Warmer weather creates additional opportunities for outdoor activities in Michigan and increases the chances of wildlife encounters. Michiganders are reminded to adopt practices that protect their families and animals from rabies.  Rabies is a viral disease of mammals that is transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. Bats and skunks are the most common carriers of rabies in Michigan. In 2018, there were 79 cases of rabies in animals in the state, including 77 bats and two skunks.  Rabies testing at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is ramping up, and as of May 22, the MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories has identified rabies in five bats and two skunks of 928 animals tested.  Michigan health departments experience increased calls from citizens about bat encounters during the warm weather months between May and September. During this time, bats are more active, searching for food and rearing their young. While bats are beneficial to our ecosystem, they are also one of the species that is a natural host for the rabies virus.  People or pets usually get exposed to rabies when they are bitten by an infected animal. Other situations that may present a risk are when a bat is found in a room with people who have been asleep, or a bat is found with an unattended child or an impaired adult who cannot be sure they didn’t have contact with the bat. In these cases, it is important to collect the bat for rabies testing.  Rabies is fatal to humans. Postexposure treatment is given to people who are exposed to a potentially rabid animal. Treatment is not necessary if the animal tests negative for rabies.

Protect your family and pets from rabies by taking these simple steps:

• Avoid contact with wildlife. Do not keep wild animals as pets and do not try to rehabilitate wildlife yourself. Wild animals can carry rabies without looking sick.
• If a wild animal appears sick, please report it to the Department of Natural Resources onlineat Michigan.gov/eyesinthefield or at 517-336-5030.
• If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, seek immediate medical attention and alert the local health department. A directory of local public health departments is available atMalph.org.
• If you find a bat in your home, safely confine or collect the bat if possible and contact your local health department to determine if it should be tested for rabies. More information on how to collect a bat safely can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
• If you are unable or would prefer not to confine or collect a bat yourself, you may considerhiring a bat/wildlife removal service.
• Protect your pets by getting them vaccinated against rabies. Even cats that live indoors and never go outside need to be vaccinated, as they can encounter a bat that gets inside the home.
• If your animal is bitten or scratched by a wild animal or if you believe they have had unsupervised contact with wildlife, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Even if your pet is currently vaccinated against rabies, additional actions may need to be taken to prevent them from becoming infected. If possible, safely confine or capture the wild animal without touching it and contact your local animal control officer or veterinarian, as the animal may need to be tested for rabies.

More information about rabies and a map of rabies positive animals in Michigan can be found atMichigan.gov/rabies.

State Rep. Gary Eisen is urging residents in flood advisory areas to take precautions against rising water levels.  With an exceptionally wet spring and more rain on the way, residents should monitor their surroundings and try and keep abreast of wind and water conditions.  The recent high winds have added to the flood threat along with rising Great Lakes levels that have reached a record high since 2013.  “I recommend our neighbors living near these waterways put valuables up and watch their property for any evidence of rising levels,” Rep. Eisen, of St. Clair Township said.  “Unfortunately, living near the waterfront can also bring dangers. Flooding is predicted to get worse and I want to make sure my constituents stay safe.”  The National Weather Advisory issued a flood warning earlier this month in areas along the St. Clair River, including Marine City, Harsens Island and Pearl Beach.  For more information regarding water levels, please access the following websites:

https://www.bereadystclaircounty.org/general-flooding-information and  https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Great-Lakes-Information/Great-Lakes-Water-Levels/Water-Level-Forecast/Monthly-Bulletin-of-Great-Lakes-Water-Levels/