Erin Spanier

Oct/Nov Newsletter: Battling uninsurance, the Washtenaw Opioid Summit, and more.

by

The September 2019 WHI Stakeholders Meeting focused on Michigan health policy and the unified community health needs assessment conducted by Washtenaw County’s non-profit hospitals. Speakers included Marianne Udow-Phillips, founding executive director of CHRT, Nicole Adelman, clinical and SUD services director at the Community Mental Health Partnership of Southeast Michigan, and Elisabeth Vanderpool, director of community … Read more

Washtenaw reacts as federal judges block “public charge” test for immigrants seeking green cards

by

On October 11, three federal judges issued nationwide injunctions that will temporarily block implementation of the “public charge” rule that had been scheduled to take effect on October 15. The rule would have allowed immigration officials to consider the use of public benefits–including food stamps, housing subsidies, and Medicaid–as a negative factor in evaluating the … Read more

Washtenaw SUD System Transformation Initiative celebrates early wins

by

Story by Lovella Calica, WHI Social Work Intern Since November 2018, dozens of representatives from Washtenaw-area organizations that are deeply involved in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders (SUD) have been participating in an SUD system transformation process hosted by the Washtenaw Health Initiative, as part of its State Innovation Model (SIM) work … Read more

Voice of the WHI: Marci Scalera, founding co-chair of the WHI Opioid Project

by

On June 19, 2019, Joanne B. Jarvi, director of business development for Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County, spoke with Marci Scalera, founding co-chair of the WHI Opioid Project. Scalera, who recently retired from her role as director of clinical and substance use disorder services at the Community Mental Health Partnership of Southeast Michigan, shares … Read more

Washtenaw Opioid Summit takes aim at the stigma surrounding substance use disorder

by

Story by Matthew Hill, Washtenaw Health Initiative Substance Use Disorder Program Manager Roughly 250 people, representing many different professional and community organizations, participated in the second county-wide opioid summit held on October 1st, organized by the Washtenaw Health Initiative Opioid Project. The Opioid Project’s co-chairs, Nicole Adelman and Jimena Loveluck opened the event by focusing … Read more

Missed the September stakeholders meeting? Here’s a recap.

by

The September 2019 WHI stakeholders meeting focused on Michigan health policy and the united community health needs assessment and implementation plan conducted by the county’s three non-profit hospitals.  Liz Conlin, senior vice president of re:group, inc. and chair of the WHI Communications Committee, updated stakeholders on recent improvements to the WHI website and e-newsletter. She … Read more

As uninsured rates increase across the U.S., open enrollment takes on new significance

by

Last year, the national uninsured rate increased for the first time since the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010. Approximately 2 million Americans and 25,000 Michiganders lost health insurance coverage between 2017 and 2018. In light of these loss of coverage trends, as well as Michigan’s pending work requirements, this year’s open enrollment activities … Read more

Please join us in welcoming new staff and interns

by

Three new staff members and two interns join CHRT and the Washtenaw Health Initiative to support active work groups. Please join us in welcoming them to the work. Staff members Matthew Hill will support the WHI’s Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (MHSUD) Work Group, Washtenaw SUD System Transformation initiative, and Opioid Project. Hill is … Read more

Introducing the Millage Advisory Committee

by

In the spring of 2019, Washtenaw County Community Mental Health established a Millage Advisory Committee (MAC) to provide strategic oversight on Washtenaw County’s Public Safety and Mental Health Millage activities and investments. The 13-member committee, chaired by St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea President and CEO Nancy Graebner, is a subcommittee of the Washtenaw County Community Mental … Read more

June/July Newsletter: Doubling cardiac arrest survival rates, state of health care in 2019, and more

by

Since November 2018, dozens of representatives from Washtenaw-area organizations that are deeply involved in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs) have been participating in an SUD system transformation process hosted by the Washtenaw Health Initiative as part of its State Innovation Model (SIM) work in Livingston and Washtenaw Counties. After a productive … Read more