Navigating Medicaid redetermination in Michigan: 12 recommendations

In the summer of 2023, members of the Washtenaw Health Initiative’s Communications Committee sat down to discuss the challenges posed by Michigan’s Medicaid redetermination process, including the growing number of Michiganders losing coverage each month.  With leadership from staff and administrators at the Washtenaw Health Project, the committee crafted 12 recommendations to streamline the process … Read more

Vote for the 2023 Collaborative Impact Award by December 4th, 2023.

Since 2021, the Washtenaw Health Initiative’s Collaborative Impact Award has recognized local collaborations that have made a significant positive impact on community health. Collaborations between organizations working on similar goals can break down silos and enable organizations to achieve more than they could alone.  In the award’s first year, Washtenaw Health Initiative members chose Hoteling … Read more

WHI Member Spotlight: Corner Health Center

Read our May newsletter member spotlight, the Corner Health Center. Year founded: 1980 Mission: To inspire 12- to 25-year-olds (and their children) to achieve and sustain healthy lives by providing judgment-free, affordable health and wellness care and education. Key focus areas: Youth access to confidential health care Services: General Wellness Care: Services such as yearly physicals, … Read more

Accessible transportation for Washtenaw County seniors: a mandate for health and equity 

On a Thursday morning in early March, dozens of local stakeholders funneled into a conference room on the east side of Washtenaw County. What were they doing there? They’d come to discuss transportation challenges for the county’s aging population—and ways to address those challenges.  Transportation plays a vital role in the lives of Washtenaw’s senior … Read more

WHI member organization spotlight: The Women’s Center of Southeastern Michigan

Read our February member organization spotlight, Women’s Center of Southeastern Michigan. Year founded: 2000 Mission: To promote self-determination for women and families by providing professional services that build confidence, strengthen connections, and create positive change. Key focus areas: Women’s well-being, including financial and mental health  Services: Personal counseling: Therapy session costs based on household income and … Read more

WHI Steering Committee welcomes new member, makes way for more

Ben Miles has joined the Washtenaw Health Initiative Steering Committee as the institutional representative from Trinity Health – Chelsea Hospital. Miles replaces Nancy Graebner following her retirement as the president of Chelsea Hospital in March of 2022. Graebner served as a long time member of the WHI Steering Committee, informing many of the WHI’s projects … Read more

Public Health Emergency unwinds. What to expect and how to prepare for the change.

On January 31st, 2020—in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic—the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE) for the entire United States.  This PHE ensured continuous health insurance coverage and provided states with additional federal Medicaid matches to keep people insured. In Michigan, Medicaid ranks grew … Read more

WHI shares most recent impact report

In 2021, the Washtenaw Health Initiative (WHI) sought to advance health equity and promote innovative programs. Members from dozens of local health, human services, and behavioral health organizations advanced a number of worthwhile objectives.
Our latest impact report highlights workgroup activities and accomplishments, member organizations, and more.