Government does not have all the answers. We have begun to look more and more to Michigan's communities for direction, assistance, and partnerships that will strengthen our families. Community partnerships that have evolved include our partnership with The Salvation Army to supplement the existing Emergency Shelter network; our pilot Communities First projects in five Michigan communities; our successful Food Stamp trafficking project; our cooperative efforts in housing with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and community involvement in the Social Contract. In 1995 a partnership with Community Action Agencies was strengthened by an Executive Order transferring the Community Services Block Grant and Weatherization Assistance Program to DSS.

As the department and communities continue to mutually address the problems of dependence on public assistance and innovative ways to resolve them, we must work together for the good of our state. The problems of the poor reflect the problems of the community. We must continue to work together to remove the barriers to independence. Michigan's communities have tremendous human and financial resources, as well as creativity, that can be brought to bear in partnerships with state government to strengthen Michigan families.

Faith-Based Organizations

Many of the problems identified as barriers to self-sufficiency are beyond the ability of the Family Independence Agency to resolve alone. Child care, transportation, and behavioral issues are examples.

We need to be more creative in our approach to resolving these issues by reaching out to the community and their faith-based organizations for help. Examples of barriers that could be better addressed by faith-based organizations are:

• Mentoring to low risk Children's Protective Services families, teen mothers, victims of divorce and domestic violence, aiding job search activities, assistance with transportation to look for a job.
• Providing child car on nights or weekends, for sick children, for handicapped children or respite care for working mothers; providing day care for handicapped adults or the elderly, or respite care for their families.
• Reducing out-of-wedlock births through the provision of sex education, abstinence messages, parenting classes, and adult supervision for teen parents.
• Running support groups and classes such as budgeting for the newly employed, car repair, home maintenance, goal setting, credit management, and adjusting to a working life.
• Providing transportation during a crisis, taking children from child care to school, taking parents to Work First, assisting in car ownership and car repairs.
• Assisting in meeting the needs of the elderly in our communities.

The Family Independence Agency will continue to work closely with the faith-based organizations to identify appropriate and supportive roles they can play in helping their community residents become self-sufficient.

Out-of-Wedlock Births

Under federal block grant proposals, states that lower the out-of-wedlock birthrate will potentially receive a bonus in their cash assistance block grant. For lowering the rate 1 percent, states receive a 5 percent bonus; for lowering the rate 2 percent, states receive a 10 percent bonus. The bonus for Michigan would be either $40 or $80 million.

Using data generated from hospital-based paternity establishments, the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Family Independence Agency can determine the rate of out-of-wedlock births. They will jointly develop a strategy to reduce out-of-wedlock births, including building on the minor parent policy, DPH's abstinence program, working with faith-based organizations, and other efforts.

Accountability and Flexibility in Funding Family Services

In order to obtain the best possible outcomes for children and families, we must clearly define the responsibilities of key stakeholders and participants in the child protection system.

We propose that the community collaborative body be responsible and accountable for prevention and early intervention services for children and families. (Additional detail is provided in the previous Prevention section.) The Family Independence Agency will be responsible and accountable for protection of children, preservation of families, and permanency for children.