The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
MDHHS director: Department meeting increase in demand, supports governor's FY 2011 budget
February 18, 2010
Feb. 18, 2010
Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm's Fiscal Year 2011 budget would ensure the state's safety net can meet an unprecedented increase in demand for services, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Ismael Ahmed said today.
"I urge you to pass the MDHHS fiscal year 2011 budget as introduced by Gov. Granholm because it strengthens the state's safety net and helps our department serve the state's vulnerable children, adults and families," Ahmed told members of a joint appropriations subcommittee.
Ahmed also touted the department's fiscal year 2009 accomplishments, highlighted in the department's annual report, including:
- Meeting the demand. MDHHS provided additional benefits to 400,000 individuals, compared to 2008. That included 1.6 million people in the food assistance program and 1.7 million people in the Medicaid program.
- Reforming child welfare. MDHHS made great progress in its child welfare reforms, including reducing the number of children in foster care and finding permanent homes for more children.
- Expanding technology. MDHHS implemented a new online eligibility system, Bridges, which also allowed clients to apply for food assistance online at www.michigan.gov/mibridges. Also placed kiosks in local offices to enable clients to apply online for food assistance.
A copy of the annual report is available at www.michigan.gov/DHS-newsroom.
The governor's budget would set aside about $7 billion for the MDHHS in the new fiscal year starting in October. That's an increase of more than $1 billion from the current year. This budget will help the MDHHS meet the needs of Michigan's vulnerable children, adults and families, Ahmed said.
"The proposed budget would help us meet both Michiganians' child welfare and assistance needs," he added.
The governor's budget would provide $39 million in new funds to pay for 495 child welfare staff, expand family preservation funding, and provide adoption subsidies and subsidized guardianship for children up to age 20.
It would also continue funding for 200 limited-term field staff and add full-time funding for 197 new staff. These staff would help manage rising Medicaid, food assistance and emergency relief caseloads.
"All things considered, the governor's budget provides us with resources to meet the increased needs of vulnerable adults, children and families in Michigan," Ahmed said. "If passed, the budget will enable us to meet our mission and lend a hand to the more than 2 million people that come to us for help."