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Friends, I hope you have enjoyed this unseasonably warm weather as we make our way through October. With Halloween (and trick-or-treating) coming up, I also hope you and your families continue to take precautions in preventing the spread of COVID-19. I will continue to work toward ensuring our community has the resources to remain safe, healthy, and happy. Included in this newsletter is information on the upcoming municipal elections, along with information about home weatherization — which is meant to reduce the overall cost of your heating bills. In addition, learn how college-bound students can submit this year’s FAFSA application and, if you’re a small business owner, read about grant money available that can help you keep your employees safe. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at (517) 373-0990, or email me if you have any questions or need assistance.
Working for you, |
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Sylvia Santana
COMMUNITY DAY AT THE CAPITOL! On Tuesday, Oct. 12, I had the honor of hosting a group of community members from the 3rd Senate District during their visit to the State Capitol in Lansing. I always enjoy the opportunity to speak with residents of our communities, as your input is vital to ensuring my colleagues and I continue to deliver solutions to the problems that keep you up at night. |
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ELECTION DAY THREE WEEKS AWAY IN MANY JURISDICTIONS, VOTERS HAVE OPTIONS With three weeks remaining until elections in many jurisdictions across the state, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson reminds voters that they have options to safely and securely cast their ballot. To find out if your community is holding an election on Tuesday, Nov. 2, visit Michigan.gov/Vote. Eligible citizens can register to vote online for one more week. Within two weeks of the election, they will have to register in person at their local clerk’s office, where they can also request, fill out, and return an absentee ballot all in the same trip. Already registered voters can vote from home by requesting to have an absentee ballot mailed to them. They can make the request in person at their local clerk’s office or online at Michigan.gov/Vote. If voters choose to go to their local clerk’s office, they can fill out their ballot and return it in the same visit. Voters can also cast their ballots in person at their polling place on Election Day. Polls will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Michigan Voter Information Center at Michigan.gov/Vote provides important information for voters ahead of Election Day, including a sample ballot, information about how to use voting equipment and how to contact your local clerk.
WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM HELPS LOW-INCOME MICHIGANDERS REDUCE HEATING BILLS The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is raising awareness during Weatherization Month of a program that reduces household energy costs by an average of $283 per year — benefitting approximately 1,300 low-income families in Michigan. Through the U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program (administered at the state level by the MDHHS Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity), trained Health and safety issues such as elevated levels of carbon monoxide, moisture problems, mold, ventilation needs, and heating systems safety and efficiency are also addressed. There is growing evidence that the program provides benefits beyond energy savings. Improved indoor air quality and appropriate ventilation strategies lead to healthier living conditions in weatherized homes. These healthier living conditions often lead to improved health outcomes such as reduced asthma triggers and fewer doctor visits. Eligibility is based on household income and if the home’s current condition is weatherization ready. Anyone interested in applying for the Weatherization Assistance Program can contact their local provider.
TREASURY: GET READY. GET SET. FAFSA! According to the Michigan Department of Treasury, the very first step for students and families to take when applying for scholarships and other forms of financial assistance is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is needed when applying for grants, scholarships and other forms of financial assistance, and the U.S. Department of Education began accepting FAFSA submissions on Friday, Oct. 1. Academic Year 2022-23 FAFSA submissions received at the federal processor on or before March 1, 2022, are given priority consideration for the Michigan Competitive Scholarship and Michigan Tuition Grant. Students who wait to complete their FAFSA after the March 1 deadline may not receive all the financial aid they could have been entitled to receive. Prior to completing the FAFSA online, the student and at least one parent or guardian must obtain a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) at www.fafsa.gov. This ID serves as a legal signature and confirms an applicant’s identity when accessing financial aid information through certain U.S. Department of Education websites. To get started with the FAFSA, go to www.fafsa.gov. To learn more about State of Michigan scholarships and grant programs, visit the MI Student Aid website at Michigan.gov/MIStudentAid. Administered by Treasury, MI Student Aid is Michigan’s go-to resource for finding the financial resources needed to pay for college. For more information, contact MI Student Aid at mistudentaid@michigan.gov or 1-888-447-2687. or look up @mistudentaid on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.
$250,000 AVAILABLE IN GRANTS TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES PROTECT WORKERS Michigan small businesses with 250 employees or less can apply for a Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) matching grant up to $5,000 to make improvements to their workplace safety and health, with Oct. 6 marking the first day that applications were accepted. The grants are available through the Workplace Improvement to Safety and Health (MIWISH) grant program and are designed to enable employers to purchase safety and health-related equipment. They will also give them the ability to offer related training that will provide a safer and healthier work environment, reducing the risk of injury and illness to workers in Michigan. For more information about the MIWISH grant program and how to apply, visit Michigan.gov/MIOSHAgrants or contact MIOSHA’s Consultation Education and Training grant administrator at 269-275-7155. |
