Dear Neighbors,
As the temperatures cool and the days grow shorter, there is no denying that fall is here. This is a great time to get outside and enjoy the changing fall scenery and the many fall activities!
In this newsletter, I am excited to share some updates, as well as a few important resources available to you.
If you have any questions, want to comment on pending legislation, or resolve any issues in state government, please do not hesitate to contact my office by phone at (517) 373-8360 or by email at SenPWojno@senate.michigan.gov.
Warmest regards,
Paul Wojno
State Senator
District 10
Featured in this Newsletter
- “Fall in Love with Wayne County” Photo Contest
- AAA 1-B Free Medicare Assistance Program Webinar
- New Age Expansion for Michigan Reconnect Program
- Recognizing National Suicide Prevention & National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month
- Congrats to the Businesses selected for the Comcast Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment Program
- Animal-Proofing Homes Ahead of Colder Weather
- Apply for the MI Future Educator Fellowship
“Fall in Love with Wayne County” Photo Contest
Are you ready to Fall in Love with Wayne County? Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans has announced the kickoff of a photo contest designed to highlight the autumn season and celebrate the change of colors. All ages are welcome to participate!
For more details, visit waynecounty.com/fallinlove.
The contest will run until Tuesday, October 31, at 11:59 p.m. The first-place winner will have the option to choose their prize. Prizes available include:
- Suite tickets for a Detroit Lions game
- Two tickets to see Wicked at the Fisher Theatre
- Two tickets to see Mrs. Doubtfire at the Fisher Theatre
The second-place winner will choose from the two remaining prizes and the third-place winner will receive the remaining prize! Winners will be announced in November and notified via social media. Winners will have 48 hours to claim their prize. If the winner does not respond in the allotted time, another winner will be selected. The photo contest is not open to the staff of the Wayne County Communications Department or any party participating as a judge for the photo contest.
Disclaimer: Prize is not based on number of entries. Winner is subject to change. Wayne County reserves the right to house, use, and distribute all photo submissions beyond contest. Winner will receive tickets to a game determined by Wayne County. Tickets are non-transferable and cannot be resold. Food and beverages are not included.
In preparation for open enrollment, the Area Agency on Aging 1-B is hosting a FREE webinar on Wednesday, October 18 at 10:30 a.m.
The Michigan Medicare Assistance Program (MMAP) is a grant-funded, community resource that was developed by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to give Medicare beneficiaries access to free and unbiased help. During the webinar, the MMAP team will share:
- Medicare basics
- Practical tips to help you evaluate your choices
- What’s new for Medicare in 2024
Advance registration is required, and participants can register here. The webinar is being held via Zoom and broadcast on Facebook Live.
Also, MMAP volunteers are offering individual counseling by phone, Zoom, and at in-person Assistance Day events. You can view all the available in-person events here or call to make your appointment at (800) 803-7174.
New Age Expansion for Michigan Reconnect Program
Michiganders who are aged 21 to 24, between October 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024, are now eligible for a one-time opportunity to apply for Michigan Reconnect Program. The Michigan Reconnect Program has expanded its age range for anyone over 21 to apply for Fall Semester 2023, Spring Semester 2024, Summer Semester 2024, and Fall Semester 2024. Michigan Reconnect Program provides eligible students with a chance to work toward a tuition-free associate degree or Pell-eligible skills certificate at in-district community colleges. This program is a limited time only, with the application process open now until Friday, November 15, 2024. Click here to learn more or apply to the program.
To be eligible, you just need to:
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Apply and enroll in a community or tribal college no later than Fall Semester 2024.
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
- Have lived in Michigan for at least a year.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent or certificate of completion.
- Have not yet completed a college degree.
Michigan Reconnect will continue to be available to individuals aged 25 to 65 years old as long as it is funded.
Recognizing National Suicide Prevention & National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month
Last month, September was National Suicide Prevention Month. The Michigan Senate adopted Senate Resolution 73, with my support, to recognize and encourage employers across Michigan to share the importance of employee mental health and wellness by promoting suicide prevention dialogue, training, and resources. Please visit the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) website for mental health resources available to assist employers and employees in the workplace.
Additionally, October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month. With mental health being so vital, it is important to bring awareness and encourage those struggling with their mental health to get screened and seek out professional help. If you or someone you love feels they might be suffering with their mental health, they can take an online screening to determine whether symptoms are being experienced. Please note, online screenings are not diagnostics, they are designed to help those who feel they are struggling to start a conversation with a doctor or someone they trust about their mental health.
If you are experiencing mental health problems and would like to talk with someone who can help, call or text 988 or visit www.988lifeline.org to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Congrats to the Businesses selected for the Comcast Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment Program
I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to Aliado Studio, Morningside Café, Sticker Blitz, Inc., and Tech Serve4 U, four businesses in the District 10 who were selected for the Comcast Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment (RISE) Program. They will be awarded various benefits such as consultation, education resources, a $5,000 monetary grant, creative production and media, along with a technology makeover, all provided by the Comcast Rise Program.
Comcast RISE was created in 2020 to help small businesses, who were hit hard by COVID-19, recover. The original two-year term helped to award over 13,000 businesses with over $110 million dollars in monetary marketing and technology grants. With the success and learning achieved from the first phase, they have been able to not only bring back the program but expand it. To learn more, click here.
Animal-Proofing Homes Ahead of Colder Weather
As the summer ends and fall begins, colder temperatures are expected. Animals will eventually begin to hibernate in the winter, so this is a great time to become aware of how to secure your home and prevent wildlife nuisances. Here are some tips that may be useful:
- Remove food sources like pet food and ensure that garbage is securely tucked into an animal-proof container.
- Put garbage out the morning of garbage pick-up rather than the night before.
- Use fencing to protect gardens or individual plants from wildlife.
- If a non-domesticated animal gets into an attic, use noise (loud radio, banging pots and pans) or ammonia-soaked rags.
- Cut any tree limbs that overhang the roof.
- Be sure to cap your chimney to keep animals from climbing in your fireplace.
- Seal pet doors at night.
For animal control resources, please review the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) nuisance animal control directory here.
Apply for the MI Future Educator Fellowship
The MI Future Educator Fellowship will offer a $10,000 scholarship to up to 2,500 future educators every year. It is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 academic year!
To be eligible, the student must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete the annual MI Future Educator Fellowship application.
- File a current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Be a high school graduate.
- Be admitted into an eligible Educator Preparation Program (EPP) approved by the Michigan State Board of Education.
- Be working on their initial teacher certification.
- Be enrolled in enough coursework to be considered enrolled full-time during the academic year, or its equivalency for individuals enrolled in an alternative certification program.
- Have reached Junior grade level according to the institution’s definition.
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
- Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year.
- If you are a dependent student, your parents on your FAFSA must also be a Michigan resident from July 1 of the previous calendar year.
- Complete a Commitment to Teach in Michigan Agreement, which requires that the recipient teach in Michigan in a public school or qualifying public preschool program for a specific number of years, depending on the number of years the recipient has received the MI Future Educator Fellowship. This will be issued to applicants when the institution confirms eligibility.
For more information, visit here.