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Friends, It’s my great privilege to work hard for you in Lansing. Together, let’s continue to make our community the best it can be. Featured in this newsletter:
Please do not hesitate to call my office at (517) 373-0990 or reply to this email if you have any questions or need assistance. Working for you, |
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Sylvia Santana
WHERE TO GET MONKEYPOX VACCINE IN MICHIGAN Cases of monkeypox in Michigan have quadrupled in less than three weeks — on July 25, the state had only 23 known cases. As of Monday, Aug. 15, there are now 92 cases in the state according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since the start of the outbreak, the federal government has distributed 670,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine to states from the national stockpile, according to the White House. So far, Michigan has gotten 7,600 vials of the vaccine, which is authorized to prevent both smallpox and monkeypox or limit symptoms after exposure. As vaccine doses arrive in Michigan, they are being delivered to:
FREE COVID-19 TESTS AVAILABLE FOR ALL HOUSEHOLDS The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is announcing its expanded partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation through Project Act to provide 180,000 COVID-19 tests to 36,000 households located anywhere in the state free of charge. Previously, tests were only available in select ZIP codes. Residents can request the tests through the end of August. All households in the state of Michigan can order their free COVID-19 tests through AccessCovidTests.org. Each household will receive one kit with five tests, typically within a week of ordering. Individuals without internet access can contact 211 for assistance ordering tests.
AN ESTIMATED 148,000 MICHIGANDERS MAY QUALIFY TO HAVE STUDENT LOANS FORGIVEN Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is encouraging Michiganders working in public service to review the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program to see if they qualify for federal student loan relief no later than Oct. 31, 2022. Thousands have already utilized the program to pay off their debt, and an estimated 148,000 more Michiganders may be eligible due to the recent PSLF waiver. According to the Office of Federal Student Aid’s June report, so far more than 6,000 Michiganders have taken advantage of the PSLF waiver and have had $358 million in loans forgiven. The recent changes to the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program allow previously ineligible borrowers — those with a non-Direct loan, who are not enrolled in an income driven repayment plan, who have missed a repayment, or To apply for the PSLF waiver, borrowers should:
If borrowers have questions regarding their individual situation, they can visit studentaid.gov/pslf or call FedLoan Servicing at 1-855-265-4038.
THERE IS STILL TIME TO ENROLL FOUR-YEAR-OLD KIDS IN FREE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Education are encouraging parents of four-year-old children across Michigan to contact their local school districts or visit GreatStarttoQuality.org to explore getting their children enrolled in a Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) — Michigan’s nationally recognized, state-funded preschool for four-year-olds. Children who attend a GSRP are more likely to enter school ready to learn, read by third grade, and graduate from high school on time. Parents can apply for GSRP’s 2022-2023 program year now! Parents can search for local GSRP programs through Michigan’s Great Start to Quality website or apply directly through their local intermediate school district here. GSRP eligibility is primarily determined based on family household income (a family of four earning up to $69,375 a year is eligible). However, other factors such as a diagnosed disability, parent education, and primary home language other than English may also be considered. The program is offered as part-day and full-day with childcare before and after school available in many areas. Some programs also offer transportation to families.
FREE OR LOW-COST CHILDCARE EXPANDED FOR WORKING FAMILIES WITH KIDS UNDER 12 Childcare is often one of the most urgent and overwhelming expenses a family can bear. That’s why I was proud to support Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s bipartisan initiative to expand access to free or low-cost childcare for 150,000 more Michigan kids and their families. Families with two kids earning up to $55,500 may now qualify for help paying for childcare. The state also launched a new tool to help Michiganders easily identify their eligibility for childcare benefits. These reforms aim to lower costs, help parents get back to work, and ensure kids have the support they need to succeed, especially as we continue to weather the pandemic. The Michigan Department of Education and Early Childhood Investment Corporation created an online eligibility calculator so that families can know in less than two minutes if they could get help lower childcare costs. To qualify for the Child Development and Care Program (commonly called the childcare subsidy), families must:
Families can visit Michigan.gov/childcare for a complete list of reasons they may qualify for low or no cost childcare and qualifying income levels for larger families.
PUBLIC HEARING SET FOR AUG. 22 ON DTE’S ELECTRIC CO.’S PROPOSED RATE INCREASE The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has announced that it will hold a public hearing on DTE Electric Co.’s pending request for an electric rate increase (Docket U-20836), on Monday, Aug. 22 from 6-8 p.m. The hearing will take place at the Detroit campus of Wayne County Community College (1001 W. Fort St., Detroit) in the Frank Hayden Community Room (room 236). Members of the public are invited to attend and provide public comment regarding the pending rate request. No remote participation option is being offered for this hearing. Individuals unable to attend but who wish to provide comments may do so in writing by clicking on the “Submit Comment” option on the Rate Case Docket Page. Comments may also be submitted by mail to Michigan Public Service Commission, 7109 W. Saginaw Hwy., Lansing, MI 48917. Comments should reference the docket number U-20836. To learn more about the Rate Case process, check out the MPSC’s Rate Case Issue Brief.
GOOGLE OFFERING FREE JOB TRAINING FOR MICHIGANDERS On Friday, Aug. 5, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) in announcing a new partnership with Google to connect 500 local job seekers with no-cost access to Google Career Certificates training to help Michiganders land good The online program can be completed in three to six months of part-time study — with no degree or experience required. After finishing the program, graduates are connected with an employer consortium of more than 150 companies — including Deloitte, Ford, Verizon, Walmart, and Google — that consider them for relevant roles. In partnership with Google, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) is providing access to these certificates through state workforce agencies such as LEO. Designed and taught by Google employees, each certificate includes 150+ practice and graded assessments, quizzes, or writing assignments to ensure rigor and proficiency. Launched in 2018, more than 70,000 people have graduated from the program in the U.S., and 75% of them report a positive career impact — such as a new job, higher pay, or a promotion — within six months of completion, and 55% of graduates identify as Asian, Black, or Latino. Those interested in learning more about the program or applying for a scholarship should contact their local Michigan Works! Service Center. Scholarship recipients need access to a computer, handheld device or smartphone, and the internet. If you do not have access to one or more of these tools, a Michigan Works! representative can help. Scholarship recipients must complete the certificate within six months. To find the nearest Michigan Works! Service Center, visit MichiganWorks.org. |
