Dear Neighbor,
As your State Senator, I am continuously honored to serve the communities of Northwest Detroit, Redford Township, Livonia, Farmington & Farmington Hills, in part by connecting you with resources available to you as well as with upcoming events in our community.
As always, if you would like to provide any feedback about what’s happening in Lansing or need assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can email us at senmcavanagh@senate.michigan.gov or call 517-373-7748.
In service,
Mary Cavanagh
State Senator
District 6
Michigan Achievement Scholarship Unlocks Opportunities in Higher Education for Michiganders
Colleges and universities play a vital role in shaping the future of our state. Recognizing this, Senate Democrats have expanded the Michigan Achievement Scholarship (MAS) program to create the “Community College Guarantee.” The scholarship is available to most graduating high school seniors and incoming college freshmen this year.
Under the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, students can receive:
- Up to $2,750 annually if they enroll in a Michigan community college, for up to three years.
- Up to $4,000 annually if they enroll in a Michigan private college or university, for up to five years.
- Up to $5,500 annually if they enroll in a Michigan public university or a baccalaureate degree program at a Michigan community college, for up to five years.
If you’re interested in learning more about how you or your student can take advantage of the scholarship, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) is hosting a series of informational webinars. Participants will be able to gather the following information:
- Information about the NEW Community College Guarantee
- Michigan Achievement Scholarship eligibility requirements
- Michigan Achievement Scholarship award amounts
- Important action items for students and families
- Additional resources and program information
You can find a date that works with your schedule and register here.
Michigan College Month — Free College Applications!
As part of the American College Application Campaign, October is Michigan College Month! During this month, many Michigan colleges and universities waive their application fee in an effort to provide every graduating high school senior the opportunity to apply to college and for financial aid. The Michigan College Access Network created a list of participating colleges.
Find more information, additional institutions waiving their fee for Michigan College Month 2024, and downloadable fee waivers here.
Check Your Pipes, Livonia
The City of Livonia is committed to helping residents maintain quality drinking water. Livonia’s water source does not contain lead. However, lead service lines can be a source of lead.
The City of Livonia is required by the Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to create an inventory of residential water service line materials that connects a home’s private water line to the City’s water distribution system (water main).
If you are a Livonia residential water customer, schedule your free in-home service line assessment today to determine the material of your water service line.
To self-identify your service line pipe material, please take our Water Service Line Material Survey. Check out the video for tips on how to identify your line.
To learn more, visit CheckYourPipesLivonia.org or call the Department of Public Works at (734) 466-2019.
Probate Assistance
Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treating
With temperatures continuing to drop and more spooky decorations popping up, we are getting closer and closer to Halloween. While the holiday is a time for spooky thrills and imagination, it can also bring some extra risks for children and teens. Before you head out trick-or-treating, make sure to check out these tips on how to keep your little ghosts and goblins safe:
- Choose your Halloween costume wisely. Make sure to check the weather forecast in advance and dress accordingly. Do not carry toy weapons that could be confused for the real thing.
- Walk, don’t run, and stay on the sidewalks. Cross only at intersections and designated crosswalks.
- Don’t assume cars will stop just because pedestrians have the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters.
- Be sure to have a charged cell phone while you’re out.
- Plan your route ahead of time and trick-or-treat in familiar neighborhoods.
- Only visit well-lit houses. Don’t stop at dark houses.
- Review with your child how to call 9-1-1 if they ever have an emergency, get lost, or are prone to wander.
Breast Cancer Awareness & Preventative Resources
Approximately 13% of American women — or one in eight — will develop breast cancer over the course of their life. To spread awareness and honor those impacted by breast cancer, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed every October.
Early detection saves lives, which is why knowing your family history and getting screened annually starting at age 40 is imperative. The Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) encourages residents to take advantage of the following free health screening programs to put their health into their own hands:
- The Breast & Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program (BC3NP), available statewide, provides free breast and cervical cancer screening services to low-income women.
- The WISEWOMAN Program helps participants understand their chronic disease risk factors and make healthy lifestyle choices. Every participant receives a free health screening.
- To learn more about the BC3NP and WISEWOMAN Programs, call 844-446-8727 or visit Michigan.gov/cancer. For Spanish resources, call 800-379-1057.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic violence is a crisis facing women and families across Michigan and the United States. On a typical day, more than 20,000 phone calls are placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide. Here in Michigan, an average of one in three families are impacted by domestic violence every year.
The issue of domestic violence is also deeply interconnected with gun violence, as more abusers are choosing firearms as their weapon of choice. That’s why my colleagues and I voted last year to advance legislation to keep weapons out of the hands of convicted abusers. Click here to read more about how Senate Bills 471 and 528 are helping to enhance protections for survivors of domestic violence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please visit the Michigan State Police webpage on domestic violence here for more information or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Additional resources can be found here.
Free Resources from the Wayne County Commissioner Alisha Bell
Important Announcement from Federal Student Aid
On August 7, the U.S. Dept. of Education announced that the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form will be launched through a new process. Starting on October 1, the Department will release the 2025-26 FAFSA form for testing with a limited set of students and postsecondary institutions. The agency will make the FAFSA form available to all students on or before December.
This new process was informed by conversations and feedback from students, institutions, and other stakeholders and is consistent with software industry best practices.
The dept. will invite volunteers to participate in the testing period, and, over time, make the form available to an increasing number of participants, starting with hundreds and expanding to tens of thousands of applicants. This process will allow the agency to test and resolve issues before making the form available to all students and contributors. Using this approach, the dept. will implement full functionality — submission, processing, and corrections — at the same time.
A phased rollout will also allow the dept. to incorporate user feedback to ensure the form’s instructions are clear and easy-to-use and provide resources for the community that supports students and families.
Throughout the testing period, the agency will share regular updates with students, institutions, and stakeholders to make sure they clearly understand progress. This will also boost confidence among students and families, institutions, state agencies, and other partners.
Furthermore, the dept. will continue to seek feedback from stakeholders via listening sessions and a new formal request for information (comments due by September 13). The agency will publish about what it has learned through these engagements, including releasing a new roadmap with additional tools for those planning for a successful 2025-26 FAFSA season.
The top priority is ensuring students have access to the maximum possible federal financial aid to reach their education goals.
Notably, as a result of investments through the FAFSA Student Support Strategy and the partnership of community and stakeholders, 2024-25 FAFSA submission rates significantly increased the past six months, with the submission gap from the prior year falling from roughly 40% in March to under 4% today.
Student Debt Relief
The Biden Administration emailed all borrowers with at least one outstanding federally held student loan to provide updates on potential student debt relief. The dept. expects that all proposed forms of relief would be provided to eligible borrowers without requiring any action from them (no application required).
Additional Helplines and Resources
Crisis Lines
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 is a 24/7 toll-free nationwide hotline that provides confidential and compassionate care for anyone struggling with behavioral health issues, emotional distress or substance use crisis. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit their Lifeline Chat to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
- Veterans Crisis Line: The Veterans Crisis line provides veterans and their family members with 24/7, confidential support. To connect, call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 or text 838-255. You do not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call.
- Trevor Lifeline: The Trevor Project has trained counselors who understand the challenges young people in the LGBTQ community face and are available for support 24/7. Call 1-866-488-7386, text 678-678, or click here to speak with a crisis counselor.
Call Michigan 2-11
- Michigan 2-1-1 is a toll-free service that provides residents with information. Specialists trained to assist community members will connect you with the proper resources. From utility payment assistance to household needs, 2-1-1 is a great tool for you and your loved ones to use.
- Though based in Lansing, Michigan 2-1-1 supports about seven regions in the state. You can text, email or call for help. For more information, click here.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Visit FindTreatment.gov, a confidential and anonymous resource, to locate treatment facilities for mental and substance use disorders near you.
Michigan Community Mental Health Services Program
CMHSPs provide a comprehensive range of services and support to children, adolescents and adults with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities and substance use disorders in all 83 Michigan counties. Find your local program here.
City of Detroit Health Dept. Resources
A list of programs offered by the City of Detroit Health Department can be found here or by calling (313)-876-4000.
Elder Abuse and Fraud Resources
- Office of the Attorney General at (800) 242-2873
- Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Adult Protective Services: (855) 444-3911
Food Pantries
- CARES Food Pantry:
- WHEN: Mondays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Tuesdays-Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- WHERE: 27835 Shiawassee Rd., Farmington Hills, MI 48336
- Redford Interfaith Relief:
- WHEN: Wednesdays-Fridays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- WHERE: 18499 Beech Daly Rd., Redford, MI 48240
Redford Township Public Services Dept.
Redfordtwp.com or (313)-387-2670
Medicare Assistance
(800) 633-4227 or Medicare.gov
Medicare Scams
Contact the Michigan Dept. of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) at Michigan.gov/DIFSComplaints or (877) 999-6442
Student Advocacy Center of Michigan Student Helpline
No-Cost support and education helpline: 734-482-0489
Wayne State Mobile Health Unit
waynehealthcares.org/Mobile-Health-Unit or (877) 929-6342
Wayne County Public Health Community Response Updated Hotline
The new hotline is 734-858-1922
Michigan Medicaid Assistance Program Counseling Sites
Neighborhood Wellness Centers
Coffee & Conversation
We are currently working on the details for our next Coffee Hour, planned for Farmington Hills in mid-November. We will send our usual notification as soon as it is finalized. I hope to see you there!
Rosedale Fun Litter Pickup Club
Join the fun! The Rosedale Fun Litter Pickup Club is dedicated to beautifying our neighborhood through once-monthly litter pickups (on second Saturdays), fun, and fellowship. All are welcome!
For more information, email funlitterpickupclub@gmail.com or call/text Mary Madigan at 313-980-8850.1
WHEN: Nov. 9 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Rosa Coffee Shop, 19180 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48223
Eagles Helping Hands
Trunk-or-Treat
11th Annual Harvest Fest
Recurring Community Meetings
- Grandmont Community Association Board Meeting:
WHEN: First Saturday of the month from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Detroit Public Library Redford Branch, in the basement Community Room, 21200 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48219 - Farmington City Council Meeting:
WHEN: First and third Mondays of the month from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Farmington City Hall, 23600 Liberty St., Farmington, MI 48335 - College Park Community Association Meeting:
WHEN: Second Thursday of the month from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Detroit Police 8th Precinct, 21555 W McNichols Rd., Detroit, MI 48219 - Charter Township of Redford Board Meeting:
WHEN: Second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Redford Township Board Room – Township Hall, 15145 Beech Daly Rd., Redford, MI 48239 - Livonia City Council Meeting:
WHEN: Monday, October 21 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Livonia City Hall, 33000 Civic Center Dr., Livonia, MI 48154 - Detroit Chapter Families Against Narcotics Monthly Meeting:
WHEN: Second Monday of the month from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Sheffield Center Complex, 12000 W. Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48204