Planning for the block grants was premised on the themes of strengthening families, increasing responsibility, fostering self-sufficiency, and encouraging community involvement that were established in "To Strengthen Michigan Families," Michigan's landmark 1992 reform. Michigan's planning effort includes and advisory group for each of four prospective block grants: Cash Assistance, Child Care, Child Protection and Medicaid. The recommendations on Cash Assistance, Child Care, and Child Protection are presented in this document. The Medicaid recommendations will follow. Advisory groups are composed of 50 to 100 people and include a broad cross section of community advisors and users of services.

Advisory group members were asked to return to their communities and conduct focus groups. Operating from a set of desired outcomes for the particular block grant, each focus group identified barriers to achieving the outcomes as well as adding new outcomes. Advisory group members were enthusiastic in holding the focus groups.

• The Cash Assistance Advisory Group held 102 focus groups involving over 900 participants.
• The Child Care Advisory Group held 49 focus groups involving over 500 participants.
• The Child Protection Advisory Group held 127 focus groups involving 1330 participants.
• The Medicaid Advisory Group held 120 focus groups involving 1350 participants.

Many additional groups provided input to these four efforts.

Input from the focus groups was analyzed and the common themes were shared with the advisory group members to aid in the formulation of recommendations for achieving the desired outcomes.

An internal Department of Social Services (DSS) work group was also established for each block grant. These work groups reviewed current policies for inconsistencies and opportunities for simplification, strengthening families and fostering self-sufficiency. The internal work groups used input from each corresponding advisory group and DSS staff as they developed welfare reform recommendations for Michigan.