Health and Human Services Council 2012 Year in Review

Background Information

The 2011Year in Review report set three major goals for this year, including (1) develop comprehensive community knowledge of and engagement with the youth master plan, (2) update the substance abuse prevention plan while seeking opportunities to unite treatment and prevention, and (3) address poverty with a special focus on homelessness and the resulting implications for our community. These goals were addressed this past year, and there will continue to be work on these going into next year.

Issues Addressed

The Health and Human Services Council addressed the following topics through discussion and speakers relevant to community priorities:

January-Tri-County Prisoner Reentry, Ron Stanley and Rob Worsley, MPRI February-Senior Service’s Strategic Plan, Alan Brown, Senior Services March-HHSC Summit featuring Midland’s Top 10 Social Issues April-Employment/Training for People with Differing Needs, Charlie Markey, Arnold Center May-Substance Use Disorder in Midland County, Sam Price, 1016 Recovery Network June-Community Health Needs Assessment, Stephanie Leibfritz, MidMichigan Medical Center August-Data reporting on Needs from callers to 2-1-1, Scott Redman, 2-1-1 of NE Michigan -Community Needs Assessment, Sharon Mortensen, Midland Area Community Foundation Sept-Adult Drug Court, Judge Michael Beale, 42nd Circuit Court Oct-Great Start Collaborative Strategic Plan, Micki Gibbs, Midland Co. Great Start Collaborative

In addition, the Community Health Assessment and Improvement Committee (CHAI) met to integrate data to develop the Top 10 Social issues for 2012. The committee decided to narrow focus to one issue, substance use disorder, through the development of a task force. The task force was endorsed by the full Council in Aug. The CHAI committee has also kept abreast on the changes in healthcare through a presentation from the Michigan Consumers for Healthcare on Health Exchanges and the Affordable Care Act. After hearing a presentation for the Michigan Community Dental Clinics, Inc., decision was made to move forward in researching a Dental Clinic for underserved Medicaid and low income uninsured in Midland County. Midland Continuum of Care also presented on progress housing initiatives.

Support for Grants

Health and Human Services Council considered and provided support for the following grant proposals:  Dow Chemical Grant to Midland County Department of Public Health for household hazardous waste materials collection program.  Emergency Solutions Grant from the Midland County Continuum of Care

Areas of Concern for the Upcoming Year

Substance Use Disorder was determined to be a top priority for HHSC this year, and it will continue to be in 1213. Our HHSC Summit will be dedicated to the topic, the task force will continue efforts at addressing the problem from a community perspective, and services to young people will be available through the Recovering Youth’s Future’s program. Agencies will continue to engage in developing programing around the Youth Master Plan, and needs assessment will drive upcoming decision-making.