FAMILY HEALTH CENTER ANNOUNCES OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR KALAMAZOO COUNTY HEALTH PLAN, PLAN B

A unique and rare opportunity for low-income uninsured residents to procure health coverage

Kalamazoo, MI - Family Health Center (FHC) is pleased to announce an open enrollment period for the Kalamazoo County Health Plan (KCHP), Plan B.

KCHP is a community sponsored program for low- income uninsured residents of Kalamazoo County who do not qualify for Medicaid, Medicare or have any other type of healthcare coverage. According to the 2009 Census, there are approximately 37,261 uninsured residents living in Kalamazoo County. Currently, approximately 1,500 of people are enrolled in KCHP, Plan B.

To be eligible for Plan B, a candidate must be a resident of Kalamazoo County, uninsured and have a household income under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (roughly $1,800/mo for a single-person household and $3,725 for a family of four (4)).

It is important to note that KCHP is primary health coverage, not health insurance, and that minimal co-pays are required. However, for many living without insurance and struggling to make ends meet, KCHP has created new access to quality, primary healthcare.

The Plan B Open Enrollment Period will begin immediately and will remain open until filled. It is estimated that between 200 and 250 people will be able to enroll during this enrollment period. Anyone may call 344-6168 to see if they qualify and to make an appointment to register.

The mission of FHC is to provide quality, comprehensive, primary healthcare to all people regardless of ability to pay. FHC is a community-based Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) which provides primary medical care, dental services and behavioral health care/counseling in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Medicaid is welcomed and a sliding fee scale based on income is available for anyone who is uninsured. There are six (6) locations in Kalamazoo County with the main office at 117 W. Paterson St. To make an appointment, please call 269.349.2641. You may also visit the website for additional general information at www.fhckzoo.com.

Michigan League for Human Services Releases Public Spending & Young Adults Report

From MLHS:  The latest Tax Dollars at Work: Public Spending for Selected Health and Social Programs in Michigan (pdf) report is now available. It outlines, by county, the amount spent on major health and social programs as well as the number of recipients.

It's invaluable information to have to understand the economic impact and needs of residents at a local level.

In addition, a new report from the Michigan League for Human Services and Demos finds that young adults in Michigan have lost major economic ground over the last four decades. The paper, Building Michigan's Future Middle Class: Addressing the Economic Challenges Facing Young Adults, (pdf) was released today at a policy forum on young adults.

Please go to www.milhs.org to see the press release and PowerPoint presentations from the four speakers.

St. Joseph County Only Event - Safe Kids Day June 25

Elder Rights Training in St. Joseph County June 21 1-4 pm

Register by June 17

Did you know that our seniors are the fastest growing population?

With that growing population also comes growing issues of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.  June 21^st has been declared Elder Rights Awareness Day in St. Joseph County.  As part of that awareness, I am proud to announce an Elder Rights Training for all interested persons, including the general public.  This training will be held on Wednesday, June 21 from 1-4 PM in the lower level of the SJC Courthouse. RSVP’s are necessary.

Agenda includes:  Guardianships, Estate Recovery Act, Adult Protective Services, Community Services, Police Intervention, Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services and Public Protection Orders, Independent Living Services, and a panel discussion.

Presenters include the Honorable Judge Thomas Shumaker, Commissioner Rick Shaffer, attorney Mike Mestelle, Probate Registar Eva Sylvester, Ernie Riggs of DHS, Laura Sutter, Coordinator from the Area Agency on Aging, Lynn Coursey, Executive Director from the Commission on Aging, Captain Jason Bingaman of the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, and Mary Lynn Falbe, Director of Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services.

Space is limited.Again, RSVP’s are required and should be directed to me [Janice Reed] via phone (269) 467-1223 or email ReedJ4@michigan.gov by June 17^th. Hope to see you there!

Janice I. Reed
Collaboration Coordinator
St. Joseph County Human Services Commission

Road to Prosperity Wants Your Stories

The Campaign to Cut Poverty in Half in Ten Years

Half in Ten and CHN release the Road to Shared Prosperity story map The Half in Ten campaign and the Coalition on Human Needs are thrilled to announce the release of the Road to Shared Prosperity, an interactive map displaying a collection of personal stories about programs building the American Dream. At a time when human-needs programs like Medicaid, food stamps/SNAP, and numerous others are facing the threat of extreme budget cuts, it is critical to show how such programs make a difference in the lives of real families, communities, and the economy. Designed to be a rich resource for the public, all stories contained in the map are paired with data on a state’s social and economic situation to show that this is about more than one person’s struggle or one family’s encounter with the safety net, but rather systemic issues that federal programs are successfully addressing. Visit our resources for advocates page to learn best practices for leveraging the map’s contents for advocacy. We urge you to include stories and data from the Road to Shared Prosperity into your correspondence with members of Congress, in opinion editorials, and in social media campaigns. Half in Ten and the Coalition on Human Needs are seeking additional stories to add to the map, which will be updated regularly. We welcome short video clips and written stories from service providers, beneficiaries, community leaders, business owners, and others who can speak to the value of federal programs that build prosperity and increase opportunity for all Americans. If you’d like to add your story to the Road to Shared Prosperity, click here. We hope that this map will prove to be a useful resource in your advocacy around the budget debate. With your help we can pave the road to shared prosperity for all Americans. View the Road to Shared Prosperity Submit your story to the Road to Shared Prosperity

Half in Ten | 1333 H Street, NW, 10th Floor | Washington, DC 20005

Bridges Out of Poverty July 8 SW Michigan Mini-Conference

Bridges Out of Poverty

Southwest Michigan

Mini Conference

·       Learning: Previous graduates of Getting Ahead will discuss how the program has helped them, and made a difference in their lives.

·       Sharing: Cass and Monroe County will share how they have implemented Bridges out of Poverty.

·       Planning: Opportunities and Methods. Be part of the discussion on  how to expand Bridges out of Poverty in Southwest Michigan.

Understanding Poverty. Building Communities. Changing Lives.

Presenters:

·       Sharing and planning for the future by Cass and Monroe County

·       Graduates from previous Classes

Date	July 8, 2011
Location	Southwestern Michigan College Mathew Conference Center West 58900 Cherry Grove Rd Dowagiac Michigan, 49047
Time	Time: 10:00 am- 3:00 pm
Attire	Casual Business Attire.
Cost	•         Conference is  Free of cost •        Participates may choose to bring  their individual lunch or  Lunch included- $15 per person (optional) •        RSVP by July 1, 2011
Contact Person	Kimberley Brown Phone: 269-445-7062 Email Address: eitc.brown@gmail.com

Kalamazoo County - Funding Opportunity MSHDA Emergency Solutions Grant

The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in Kalamazoo County has a funding opportunity for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) that is administered through the local Continuum of Care structure (locally known as the Affordable Housing Partnership). 

 

You will find the Notice of Intent and Timeline documents on the AHP Funding Opportunities webpage: www.kalamazooahp.org/funding-opportunities

 

Please note deadlines for submission in the timeline; these deadlines are critical for your application being considered for funding.

 

You are encouraged to contact Michelle Schneider mschneider@lisc.org with questions.