2019 A Year In Review

The Michigan Youth Reentry Model was initially developed by the Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency (MCCD), in partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. This model provides a multidimensional framework designed to reduce recidivism among state ward delinquency cases by supporting a successful transition from residential placement to their home communities. The three-phase, seven-point reentry model details how juvenile justice stakeholders (including reentry coordinators, juvenile justice specialists, courts, residential facilities, and community-based service providers) can collaborate to deliver effective community reintegration support for the target population.

MPHI serves as the care coordination agency of Michigan's Juvenile Justice Reentry Program. MPHI works with partners and communities to improve successful transitions of youth from juvenile residential treatment facilities or programs into their local community. By planning for a youth's transition and providing clear connections to support services, MPHI and the community strive to put youth in positions in which they can succeed and lead productive, independent lives. Success in this mission enables our youth to achieve a higher quality of life and keep our communities safe for everyone.

For more information, please visit the Michigan Juvenile Justice Re-Entry website.

MPHI was one of the first organizations in the nation to conduct a statewide survey focused specifically on gathering data to guide sexual violence prevention work in communities. With over 1,200 individuals responding to the survey and representing households from across the state, 68.8% of initial survey respondents were women, while 31.2% were men.

Participants of this survey found a lack of community connectedness in Michigan, with less than 50% of respondents stating that their neighborhood is considered close-knit. Research has shown that closely connected communities are more likely to hold perpetrators of assault accountable.

Similarly, economic support for women is a critical factor in risk reduction for sexual assault. Less than 40% of women reported access to paid parental leave in Michigan. Strengthening economic support for women in the workplace decreases poverty, strengthens economic security, and improves gender equity.

MPHI has convened partners to review the survey data and explore potential applications, including the development of a social norms campaign toolkit.

Access Full Report

Public Health Education for school-aged youths empowers children. MPHI worked to educate 7,483 second and third graders from low-income communities that have a high risk of home fires in 11 states. Students learned about fire safety by participating in organized events with local fire departments, focused around fire safety and smoke alarms. Teachers have reached an estimated 104,824 additional students in non-participating jurisdictions that opted in to receive teaching kits. As a result, there has been a 45.8% increase in student knowledge; distribution of 12,000 photoelectric and ionization smoke alarms; distribution of 80 Life Tone alarms for those with hearing disabilities; and distribution of 1,200 carbon monoxide alarms disseminated to fire departments in these high-risk communities for installation in their jurisdictions.

MPHI, in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), was awarded one of the five nationwide Reducing Fatalities and Recurring Child Injuries and Crimes Caused by Crime Victimization grants from the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime. The three-year grant intends to prevent child abuse, neglect, injuries, and deaths. The project will identify children who are most at risk, act to prevent deaths and injuries, collect and analyze data, and work with community partners to develop prevention plans.

In 2017, Children’s Protective Services received 298 complaints alleging death from abuse or neglect, with 84 of those complaints resulting in MDHHS substantiating the abuse or neglect. In 2018, more than 96,000 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect in Michigan were assigned for investigation by Children’s Protective Services.

MPHI partnered with the Michigan Association of Health Plans Foundation (MAHPF) to support the essential and emerging body of work surrounding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which are potentially traumatic events that occur during childhood (0-17 years). Research shows that when children experience violence or abuse, witness violence in the home or community, have a family member attempt or die by suicide, these events can have dramatic effects on a child's health and well-being. ACEs also includes aspects of the child's environment that can undermine their sense of safety, stability, and bonding. This can include things such as growing up in a household with substance misuse, mental health problems, and instability due to parental separation or household members being incarcerated. ACEs are also linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse when children reach adulthood, and these experiences can also negatively impact education and job opportunities.

The Michigan ACE Initiative is working on expanding efforts geared toward reaching a statewide awareness of ACEs. To support these efforts, a statewide coalition was formed and charged with recommending appropriate interventions and policies. An important aspect of this program involves offering training to individuals who regularly interact with children in their communities, ultimately allowing children to receive the assistance they need from familiar faces within their environment. The goal is to educate the community to identify signs of ACEs in children, as well as help create community-based interventions that will identify and align the resources necessary to help children suffering from ACEs. This work is in a state of rapid growth and is beginning to gain statewide and national recognition.

MPHI partnered with the non-profit Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS) to produce an episode of the Kenyan Signs TV series, “Handshake with Ashura.” Signs TV Kenya is a YouTube channel with over 20,000 views that produces programming for the deaf and hard of hearing, and focuses on issues that impact individuals with these disabilities. To support the deaf and hard of hearing communities, all of Signs TV programs include sign language interpreters to make it accessible to the population it serves.

Ashura Michael, a visiting African Fellow with MIFFS, interviewed local Michigan farmers from underserved populations. The interviews were produced and edited into a full episode for the “Handshake with Ashura” series, closed captioned, and a short promotional trailer was provided to increase video engagement.