Dear Neighbors,

I hope this newsletter finds you safe and healthy as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Now more than ever, it’s evident that health care is a fundamental issue in Detroit, Downriver, and across the state of Michigan.

I’ve compiled this newsletter with information about affordable health screenings, mental health resources, expanding postpartum care, and affordable childcare resources.

I’ve always supported efforts that would bring about greater quality and more affordable health care for Michigan families. I’ve been proud to support bills to restore reproductive freedoms, support Black maternal and infant health care, promote expanded mental health care, support our health care workers during the pandemic, eliminate the tampon tax, and more.

Your voice matters to me. We love hearing from residents in our district because we can better serve you and introduce new ideas when we know what’s on your mind. If you would like to share your ideas or if you need assistance with navigating government services, you can contact my office through email or by phone. As always, if you ever need assistance, feel free to contact us.

Working for you,

Stephanie Chang
State Senator, District 1
Democratic Floor Leader

Website: SenatorStephanieChang.com
Email: SenSChang@senate.michigan.gov
Lansing Office: (517) 373-7346
Toll-Free: (855) DIST001 (855-347-8001)
Detroit Office: (313) 922-6949
Click link to review the PDF version of the newsletter

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Community Health Centers are incredible resources that help ensure residents stay healthy by providing low- or no-cost health care to residents. Among the services they provide are:

• Prenatal shots
• Baby shots
• General primary care
• Referrals to specialized care, including mental health or substance abuse

There are a variety of community health centers across Wayne County, each of which may have different capacities or services available. For the most accurate information, it is best to visit their website or call to learn more.

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During these extraordinary times, it is normal for Michiganders of all ages to feel a wide range of emotions. Given the uncertainty of an ongoing public health crisis, a rapidly changing climate, and the fraught nature of our current political reality, feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety can have enduring effects on our personal well-being and mental health.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) provides a variety of resources that can help, and that are available in your area or remotely via phone call, text messaging, and video. The Stay Well program was created in April 2020 through a partnership between MDHHS and the Michigan Public Health Institute as a way for Michigan residents to connect with mental health professionals, confidentially and with trained crisis counselors, who are available 24/7.

The services that are offered include:

• Psychoeducational and emotional support.
• Virtual support groups for Michigan teachers, seniors, teens, health care workers and others.
• Access to community-based organizations, faith-based groups, nonprofits, and professional associations who partner with the Stay Well program.

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Community Crisis Response Fund

My bill, Senate Bill 637, and Senator Rick Outman’s bill, Senate Bill 638, create a community crisis response fund and behavioral health jail diversion fund so that we can better ensure that mental health professionals are on scene to respond to behavioral health emergency calls. I am very grateful to have worked with Sen. Outman and so many incredible advocates, including NASW-Michigan, Wayne State University School of Social Work’s Dean Sheryl Kubiak and her dedicated team, Community Mental Health Association of Michigan, the Jail & Pretrial Incarceration Task Force team, Americans for Prosperity, and Fountain House.

I know that, when enacted, these bipartisan, forward-thinking bills will make a big difference for vulnerable residents and public safety in our state. Our bills will change the way we respond to behavioral health emergencies in Michigan. Let’s make sure people facing mental health crises get the help they need and are directed to services, rather than unnecessarily spending time in jail.

We know we can build on existing models in Michigan and around the country with these bills, which
will improve public safety by helping people in crisis more effectively and help save lives.

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MDHHS Warmline
MDHHS staffs a statewide, peer-run warmline that is intended to serve individuals living with persistent mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, and trauma.
(888) PEER-753 (888-733-7753)
Seven days a week
10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network
For residents of Wayne County, the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network offers mental health assistance through free, anonymous, online health screenings.
DWIHN.org
24-hour Helpline: (800) 241-4949
MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS:
screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/DWIHN

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Dedicated to providing free and confidential support for individuals experiencing life-threatening mental health crisis.
SuicidePreventionLifeline.org
(800) 273-8255
TTY Users: Utilize your preferred relay service OR
dial 7-1-1 then (800) 273-8255)

Henry Ford Health System: Behavioral Health
Provides mental health treatment options for children, adolescents, and adults.
HenryFord.com/Services/Behavioral-Health
(800) 422-1183

ACCESS: Adult Mental Health Program and Family Counseling
Serves Wayne County Residents through Michigan suffering from mental illness, acculturation and substance use disorders.
AccessCommunity.org
(800) 241-4949

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The traditional two months of postpartum care provided to those who give birth to a child is increasingly falling short. This is why I am working to shift our perspective of pregnancy to include a fourth trimester and enact legislation to help better support those who are trying to balance raising a newborn while healing from the physical and mental effects of giving birth.

I co-sponsored Senate Bill 252, which would expand temporary, pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage to one year after childbirth to improve maternal health outcomes and decrease postpartum mortality rates. Experts agree the ongoing physical and behavioral health of the birthing parent is a major concern during and after pregnancy, especially among communities of color and low-income families. This legislation would expand health care options in a manner that is consistent with reality — which is that most birthing parents are not getting care beyond the archaic, bare minimum standards. These disparities and shortcomings in our health care system are unacceptable and harmful.

In addition, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is exploring the authority granted under a State Plan Amendment to reduce postpartum morbidity and mortality in Michigan through the “Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies” program. Upon the implementation of this program, Michigan would extend the eligibility period of postpartum coverage from 60 days to 365 days, increasing access to health care coverage and ensuring continuity of care during this important period.

Over the past few months, I have been working with a number of mom and doula groups to develop legislation that would create a scholarship program for aspiring doulas. This would help ensure that people who are seeking to become doulas but face financial obstacles may be able to pursue their career. Doulas play a critical role for many families — before, during, and after birth. I look forward to introducing this legislation soon. I look forward to continuing to advocate for these pieces of legislation so we can get Michigan on track to better supporting our mothers!

Access to quality childcare is fundamental for working people in Michigan. Good childcare shouldn’t require a full-time job to afford, but costs have been increasing nonetheless, making quality care unattainable for many. Over the course of my term in the state Senate, we have made fundamental changes to the childcare system in Michigan to make it more affordable and to provide a safe learning environment for your child(ren).

Over the past four years, we have:

• Expanded access to free or low-cost childcare to 1 in 3 Michigan kids aged 0 to 12.
• Delivered $1,000 bonuses to nearly 25,000 full-time childcare professionals, which also has the added benefi t of boosting local economies.
• Ensured that 100% of eligible 4-year-olds could attend a high-quality preschool under the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP).
• Invested $565 million to support 7,000 childcare providers with financial relief during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Great Start Readiness Program is the state-funded preschool program for more than 35,000 4-year-olds across Michigan and that helps parents who meet income eligibility requirements. Just last year, we passed the largest education investment in our state’s history, which included an additional $168.5 million for Great Start — setting the program on a historical plan whereby the state will seek to ensure access to another 22,000 additional income-eligible children within the next three years.

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MDHHS Subsidy

The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) can provide financial assistance to families for childcare costs. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/childcare. Apply for the MDHHS subsidy at newmibridges.michigan.gov or call your local MDHHS office.

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