DHS E-News

The DHS and two partners -- Michigan League for Human Services and the Food Bank Council of Michigan -- announced a 13.6 percent increase in food assistance benefits to qualifying families in March. The increased benefits are a direct result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Do you mentor a child? Have you ever considered being a mentor? This is a cost- and time-effective way to make an impact in one person's life. Mentors are desperately needed around Michigan. Children of all ages benefit from the wisdom and experience an older person can provide. Find out more from Mentor Michigan. http://www.michigan.gov/mentormichigan

One of DHS's biggest programs, the child day care program that supports thousands of parents making efforts to become self-sufficient, is undergoing changes beginning in April. Day care providers and parents will both be reporting time to DHS starting in May. This is part of the DHS Child Care Integrity Project aimed at better service, payment accuracy and improved safety for children. For more on the changes see the DHS child care page. Michigan's child welfare reform program continues to make progress for families experiencing abuse and neglect. The DHS has expanded its staffing and is administering an expanded program. Are you interested in a career in child welfare? Jobs for children's services specialists are available in some counties. See the information about this at the DHS child welfare reform site. http://www.michigan.gov/dhs

To streamline service and improve technology, the DHS is rolling out the Bridges online eligibility system. The Web-based application integrates eligibility into one system when it formerly took three. For more information including the statewide county rollout schedule, see the "Crossing the Bridges" page . http://www.michigan.gov/dhs

To see updated videos about Bridges, and to view video of recent DHS-sponsored events, check out the DHS You Tube page.

Did you attend the poverty summit last November? The promise we left with was development of anti-poverty plans in the eight regions that sponsored workshops for up to 1,500 people. Anti-poverty programming got a boost recently from a $120,000 grant from the Kellogg Foundation. Read more about it on the poverty Web site. http://www.michigan.gov/poverty

Did you know 38,567 three-year-old children were in families that received Food Assistance in February? Do you use DHS caseload statistics or have a need to know about them? The two longest-lasting statistical reports -- the Green Book and Trend Report of assistance payments statistics -- have both been reinvented. They now carry more information than ever before and have tabs so you can review county-specific information. Check out the updated reports at the DHS Statistics page.