COUNTY OF MACOMB

NEWS RELEASE

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Nancy M. White Chair Danny Sypniewski – District 1 Marvin E. Sauger – District 2 Phillip A. DiMaria – District 3 Mike Walsh – District 4 Susan L. Doherty – District 5

Peter J. Lund Vice-Chair Joan Flynn – District 6 Sue Rocca – District 7 Diana J. Kolakowski – District 8 Robert Mijac – District 9 Philis DeSaele – District 10

Joan Flynn Sergeant-At-Arms Ed Szczepanski – District 11 Peter J. Lund – District 12 Don Brown – District 13 Kurt S. Kramer – District 14 Keith Rengert – District 15

William J. Revoir – District 16 Bobby L. Hill – District 17 Michael C. Sessa – District 18 James M. Perna – District 19 Nancy M. White – District 20

Leonard Haggerty – District 21 Betty Slinde – District 22 Roland R. Fraschetti – District 23 Peggy A. Kennard – District 24 Kathy D. Vosburg – District 25 Nicholyn A. Brandenburg – District 26

Macomb Leads State in NACo Awards

June 24, 2004

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The “Supports” program allows for individuals who are served by MCCMH and are capable of living in a less restrictive environment than a group home to do so. These individuals are happiest when they are able to make their own decisions about where they live, work and how they go about their daily lives. MCCMH has made it possible, with caseworker supervision, community and natural supports, and creative financial supports, for certain clients to live independently. There are strict guidelines in place for eligibility. Clients must agree to treatment for their mental health condition and pose no threat to themselves or others. They must also be able to take medication on their own, live cooperatively with a roommate, recognize and respond to common household risks, and perform typical household chores.

The program is funded using a combination of redirected hospital and group home dollars and offers significant savings to the county. For example, the average cost to provide a group home setting for an individual is $36,400 per year. “Supports” has brought that cost down to an average $28,345 in the first year, a savings of 22 percent. In its first year of implementation, the program successfully served 12 individuals while allowing them to fulfill their dreams, goals and desires. MCCMH is currently expanding the program to serve 30 consumers.

NACo Achievement Awards were also given to the following Macomb County programs:

• “Community Emergency Preparedness Workbook and Guidelines” developed by the Department of Emergency Management and Communication in Cooperation with the Department of Planning & Economic Development.

• “Electronic Payment of Individual Training Accounts,” a system for expediting job-training services offered by the Macomb/St. Clair Workforce Development Board.

• “Housing Education” through Macomb’s Michigan State University Extension.

• “Incorporating Water Quality and Natural Resource Protection in Delia Park” developed in partnership by the Department of Planning & Economic Development and the Department of Public Works.

• “Innovative Marine Pollution Prevention Techniques” created by the Health Department.

• “Meeting the Need; Expanding Emergency Food Pantry Locations” organized by Macomb County Community Services Agency (MCCSA)

• “Multi-City Corridor Study” a collaborative project of the Department of Planning & Economic Development with the cities of Center Line and Warren.

Macomb Leads State in NACo Awards

June 24, 2004

Page Three

• “On-Site Sewage Disposal and Well Maintenance Outreach” created by the Health Department.

• “Raising Funds, Food and Awareness” as organized by the Parks and Recreation Department in collaboration with L.E.T.S. E.A.T.

• “Reducing Expenditures with Gift Cards” a program of MCCSA that made it possible for Head Start teachers to purchase supplies for classrooms within an allotted budget.

• “Show and Tell,” a Health Department program that provides vivid demonstrations of the chemical found in and produced by tobacco for students throughout the county.

• “Tilling the Soil of Opportunity; A Business Management Course for Agriculture” by MSU Extension in collaboration with Planning & Economic Development.

• “Workforce Development Programs for Employers & Job Seeker; A Catalog of Services” developed by Macomb/St. Clair Workforce Development Board.

A formal awards presentation, sponsored by the Board of Commissioners will be held in the fall.

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