Skip to main content

Policy and Planning

Policy and Planning Office

Ninah Sasy
Policy and Planning Director
SasyN@michigan.gov

The Policy and Planning Office operates under the umbrella of the Policy, Planning, and Operational Support Administration. The Office is responsible for supporting the Department's strategic objectives, such as enhancing workforce recruitment and retention for various healthcare roles (nurses, physicians, social workers, community health workers, etc.), and overseeing the creation, execution, and assessment of the statewide Social Determinants of Health Strategy. This office encompasses the Office of Nursing Programs (ONP), the Workforce/Access and Grants Management Section, the Strategic Alignment and Engagement Section, and the SDOH Outreach and Engagement Section.

Strategic Alignment & Engagement Section
Laura Drayton
DraytonL2@michigan.gov

The SAE Section works with state partners, external stakeholders, and cross-departmentally to align Health Information Technology (HIT) around national standards and best practices in pursuit of increased connectivity and data sharing to support health equity. The SAE section shepherds the state's work implementing Michigan's 5-year Health IT roadmap, staffs the state's Health IT Commission, and leads the state's implementation of Community Information Exchange (CIE). Additionally, it oversees the implementation of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Hubs, a cornerstone initiative of the MDHHS SDOH Strategy

SDOH Outreach and Engagement Section
Cartyea Mathies
MathiesC1@michigan.gov

The SDOH Outreach & Engagement Section dedicates itself to advancing health equity and addressing socioeconomic health factors through community-driven initiatives and impactful programs. Their approach involves a multifaceted Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Strategythat encompasses a wide range of projects and collaborations to improve the overall health and well-being of Michigan's diverse communities. By fostering strong partnerships with local organizations, community leaders, and health departments, the team can effectively tailor programs and interventions to meet the unique needs of each population they serve. Their work goes beyond merely identifying disparities to actively developing and implementing solutions that promote health equity. This section focuses on various social drivers, including healthy food initiatives like the Prescription Produce Pilot (P4) well as housing stability through programs like the Good Housing = Good Healthprogram, which provides housing resources to community residents. Through facilitating open and inclusive discussions, the section encourages community voices to be heard and incorporated into decision-making processes, overseeing the Community Influencer Program which ensures that programs and policies reflect the lived experiences and priorities of the people they serve.

Office of Nursing Safety and Workforce Planning
Casey Klein
KleinC7@michigan.gov

The Office of Nursing Safety and Workforce Planning (ONP) is committed to promoting safe patient care in all nursing practice environments, advancing the safe practice of the nursing profession, and assuring a continuous supply of high-quality direct care nurses, nurse faculty, and nursing education programs. ONP efforts support nursing workforce development through education, licensure, and training as well as advance professional practice through health equity principles. Engagement with external and cross-departmental stakeholders ensures valuable initiatives that support licensed nurses in our state.

Workforce/Access & Grants Management Section
Amber Myers, Section Manager
MyersA1@michigan.gov

The Workforce/Access & Grants Management Section targets efforts to reduce the needs experienced by medically underserved populations by concentrating on inter-related program areas to increase access to care. This section conducts planning activities to identify communities with unmet healthcare provider workforce needs and administers programs targeting the recruitment and retention of healthcare providers.

Additional Resources

Emergency Medical Services & Trauma Systems Section

Help Finding Health Care
This site offers information on how to find free or low-cost health care, and access to coverage.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute - Michigan County Health Rankings
Annually since 2010, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute have produced the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (CHR&R). The country is ranked on both Health Outcomes (length and quality of life) and Health Factors (determinants of health). Search for state or county to find annual Michigan-County Health Rankings data.