Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Legislative Forum on the Direct Care Worker Crisis in Michigan



This announcement is from the CMHAM (Community Mental Health Association of Michigan) Weekly Update for March 29, 2019:

"Coalition Announces Legislative Forum on Michigan’s Direct Care Worker Crisis A group of statewide advocacy organizations, including the CMH Association of Michigan, is holding a legislative forum to highlight the state’s direct care worker crisis. The details of the event are provided below."


**********************************
LEGISLATIVE FORUM ABOUT THE DIRECT CARE WORKER CRISIS IN MICHIGAN!

WHEN: FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019, 8:30-10:00 AM

WHERE: IN THE GRAND ROOM OF THE KENT ISD EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER

2930 Knapp St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 PARKING IN LOT #11

WHY: 50,000 DIRECT CARE WORKERS ARE NEEDED TO PROVIDE CRUCIAL SUPPORTS AND SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE A MENTAL ILLNESS AND/OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY. THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM ALONE PROVIDES SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 300,000 MICHIGAN CONSTITUENTS. THIS SYSTEM DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IMPACTS MORE THAN TWO MILLION MICHIGAN CITIZENS.


Inadequate wages, which are tied to Medicaid funding, have created a Direct Care Worker shortage. Turnover rates average 37%, and providers cannot compete with other businesses that offer higher wages, often with fewer work demands. People with disabilities who rely on direct care workers for essential supports are unable to access their communities, attend college, work and live full lives.

To RSVP and/or request more information or a reasonable accommodation, please contact Salli Christenson at 800 292-7851, ext. 130 or salli.c@arcmi.org

*********************************
Here are more CMHAM weekly updates

From the CMHAM Website

"The Community Mental Health Association of Michigan (CMHAM) is the state association representing the state’s public Community Mental Health (CMH) centers, the public Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHP) public health plans formed and governed by the CMH centers) and the providers within the CMH and PIHP provider networks..."