Weekly Update August 2, 2024
Walk a Mile in My Shoes Rally!
September 12, 2024 – Mark Your Calendar!!
The 2024 INFORMATION PACKET is now available! Click here to download!
Each year, we draw more than 2,000 advocates from across Michigan to the Capitol Building to support public behavioral healthcare. This rally aims to highlight the need for increased funding for mental health services, raises awareness of behavioral health needs in health and policy discussions and works to banish behavioral health stigmas. There are more than 300,000 citizens in Michigan who seek behavioral health services. Join us on Thursday, September 12, 2024, as we rally together on the Capitol Lawn for increased mental health funding and the need for behavioral health to be continually included in policy discussions.
Why We Rally…
To enhance public awareness, because legislators need to know that Mental Health Matters.
To promote mental health and wellness, because we can make a difference!
To put an end to the stigma related to mental illness and developmental disabilities, because Michigan does not have parity (equality) between mental health and physical health care coverage.
CMHA partners with sheriffs and county associations in submitting comments on Medicaid incarcerated persons waiver
As Weekly Update readers know, Michigan is developing a Medicaid waiver to allow persons who are within 90 days of their release to be covered by Medicaid for a specific set of physical and behavioral health services. In response to the public comment opportunity, CMHA, in partnership with the Michigan Association of Counties and the Michigan Sheriffs Association submitted comments on this draft waiver. Those comments can be found here.
Redesign of ‘Weekly Update’ Newsletter
As you might have already noticed, the publication of our newsletter will look a little different. We are delighted to introduce a newly designed version of our weekly update email! We’ve revamped our newsletters to make them more user-friendly and accessible. Get the latest news, insights, and updates to our public mental health system with even greater clarity and ease.
With this improved layout, you’ll find it simpler to search for keywords** and to navigate through each publication chronologically. One specific item to note, the creation of these newsletters are now solely constructed and published on the CMHA website. The email blast will now be condensed to only include article titles and a teaser sentence. Each article in the email is linked to the publication on our website where the entire document can be viewed in full. Once on this page, to access the months previous articles, simple follow the linked path located under the main navigation bar.
The Weekly Update home page now includes collapsible headers. To quickly see the previous week’s update just click on that week’s date. To the right, you will see an Archives column that will include all previous month’s editions.
Our goal is to enhance your reading experience while keeping you better informed and making it easier for you to access necessary information and resources. We’re excited for you to experience these enhancements and hope they make your weekly updates more engaging and informative.
**To search for text within a webpage use the “Control Find” keyboard shortcut. Press and hold Ctrl+F on your keyboard to open a search bar.
Connections
Connections purpose is to be an avenue for the exchange of information that includes people’s dreams, stories, concerns and successes. Its intent is to connect us all – the individuals who sit around the board room table, our customers, our administrators, caregivers, and our partners in the communities in which we live.
Recipient Rights Booklets
The Mental Health Code states that Community Mental Health Service Providers are required to distribute Recipient Rights Booklets to each recipient receiving services. To place an order with CMHA please visit our websites bookstore page.
‘BoardWorks’ Videos Online
The CMHA BoardWorks program was developed to assist Board members in fulfilling their obligations as CMH leaders, directors of policy, and advocates for those they serve.
State & Federal Developments
National Disability Pride Month celebration: NPR readers share stories about living with a disability
July is Disability Pride Month, an event dedicated to celebrating the unique strengths and contributions people with disabilities have made to society. In the U.S., the celebration coincides with the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by former President George H.W. Bush.
To celebrate this month, NPR asked readers and listeners to share their experiences with disability. We wanted to know: What’s one thing you wish people knew about living with a disability?
The full article can be found here.
Michigan Supreme Court Strikes Down “Adopt-and-Amend”
The Michigan Supreme Court has issued a decision that eliminates the tip credit, raises the minimum wage and expands paid leave. The decision against the “Adopt-and-amend” action by the Legislature reinstates the adopted 2018 citizens’ initiative for paid sick leave and minimum wage laws.
Why it matters: This ruling means Michigan’s minimum wage will rise to $10 per hour plus the state treasurer’s inflation adjustment rate starting February 2025, including for tipped workers. In addition, employers must now adhere to one of the most comprehensive paid sick leave laws in the country, requiring major adjustments to PTO policies and procedures.
Timeline
- November 1, 2024: State Treasurer determines inflation adjustment
- February 21, 2025: The Wage Act AND Earned Sick Time Act goes into effect
- February 21, 2025: Minimum hourly wage adjusted to $10 plus the state treasurer’s inflation adjustment AND tip credit increased to 48% of minimum wage
- February 21, 2026: Minimum hourly wage adjusted to $10.65 plus the state treasurer’s inflation adjustment AND tip credit increased to 60% of minimum wage
- February 21, 2027: Minimum hourly wage adjusted to $11.35 plus the state treasurer’s inflation adjustment AND tip credit increased to 70% of minimum wage
- February 21, 2028: Minimum hourly wage adjusted to $12.00 plus the state treasurer’s inflation adjustment AND tip credit increased to 80% of minimum wage
- February 21, 2029 (and after): Minimum hourly wage adjusted to inflation-adjusted minimum wage AND tip credit no longer exists
How this Impacts Businesses & Employees
Earned Sick Time Act
- All employees, including part-time and seasonal, must receive one hour of paid medical leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 72 hours annually.
- Employers need to reassess PTO policies, notice requirements, and documentation, while guarding against potential new litigation.
The Wage Act
- Minimum wage increases based on state treasurer’s inflation adjustment.
- The “tip credit” is eliminated, requiring tipped workers to be paid the full minimum wage, with tips as additional income.
- Significant financial adjustments for the hospitality and service industries, with labor costs potentially increasing 250%.
This decision marks a major change in Michigan’s labor laws, requiring employers to update their policies and procedures.
Education, Sponsorship & Exhibition
Registration Open!
25th Annual Substance Use and Co-Occurring Disorder Hybrid Conference
Sept. 16-17, 2024
Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi, or Virtual
Register NOW for discounted pricing! Deadline: Friday, August 21, 2024
Call for Presentations!
Community Mental Health Association of Michigan’s Annual Fall Conference
“Sharing Solutions”
October 21 & 22, 2024
Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City, Michigan
Submit your workshop proposal! Deadline: Friday, August 2, 2024
The conference attracts 700 attendees. We bring together board members, CEOs, COOs, CFOs, medical directors, clinical directors, case workers, supports coordinators, and children’s supervisors from Michigan CMHSPs and Provider Agencies. We also have strong attendance from others within the public mental health and substance use disorder systems.
CMHA Events
To search all upcoming CMHAM events, including conferences, trainings and webinars click here.
Great Lakes Mental Health Technology Transfer Center
Resources from Great Lakes MHTTC
CMHA is the Michigan partner with the SAMHSA funded Great Lakes Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC). That partnership provides Michigan’s behavioral health community with access to cutting edge education and training offerings from across the country and the Great Lakes region while also allowing CMHA to expand its catalog of education and training offerings to its members and allies. For more about the Great Lakes MHTTC click here.
Subscribe to the ‘Greatly Lakes Current’
You are invited to join the Great Lakes MHTTC email list! Subscribe and you will be one of the first to receive upcoming event information, access new products, and stay informed on the latest research and news from the Great Lakes region, the national MHTTC Network, and SAMHSA – all through the Great Lakes Current, the electronic newsletter of the Great Lakes MHTTC.
You are only one click away from accessing all the resources and training opportunities that the Great Lakes MHTTC has to offer – Subscribe Now!
The Great Lakes MHTTC is dedicated to only sending strategic and relevant communications, such as a weekly update email featuring upcoming events and one monthly newsletter containing breaking news, upcoming events for the month, and other featured content and products. The Great Lakes MHTTC will also send emails that spotlight a single upcoming, in-demand training opportunity or new product. You can unsubscribe at any time, and the Great lakes MHTTC will never sell, distribute, or relinquish your email address or any of your contact information.