Dear Neighbor,
Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! Included in this edition are some important legislative and COVID-19 updates, along with a few helpful resources. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by phone at (517) 373-1788 or email at KyraBolden@house.mi.gov for questions about this or any other state-level issue.
In service,
Kyra Bolden
State Representative, 35th House District
Legislative Updates
House Bills 4900 & 4901
I am happy to report that my bills, HB 4900 and 4901, were passed by the House Committee on Judiciary and referred to the House floor, where they await a vote by the chamber. These bills are part of a bipartisan bill package with state Rep. Graham Filler and would adjust various financial thresholds to address the effect of inflation on a variety of probate matters. In many cases, these adjustments will make it easier for the public to complete asset transfers without involving the court system.
House Bill 4800
Last week, I joined state Rep. Graham Filler to testify in front of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on our bipartisan bill package that includes my bill, HB 4800 which would amend the Chapter 32 (Foreclosure of Mortgages by Advertisement) of the Revised Judicature Act (RJA) to specify that, for the purposes of foreclosure by advertisement, an action or proceeding under the Michigan Uniform Assignment of Rents Act to enforce an assignment of rents would not be an action or proceeding to recover debt.
COVID-19 Updates & Resources
COVID-19 Vaccine Help
If you know someone who doesn’t have access to the internet and they’re eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine or need help with vaccine translation services, call 2-1-1 and press ‘5’ for free, confidential assistance.
For more information on COVID-19 vaccines specifically in Oakland County visit this website. This website also has resources for testing and frequently asked questions about COVID-19.
Other News
Reminder: Child Care Stabilization Grant Applications Closing Soon
There is limited time left to apply for the Child Care Stabilization Grant. The $365 million grant will be used to provide $1,000 bonuses to child care professionals and award thousands of dollars in operational grants to local child care businesses.
So far, nearly 3,400 child care entities have applied, and funding is still available. Licensed child care providers should visit Michigan.gov/childcare to review frequently asked questions and apply. Translated versions of the grant documents are available in Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Kinyarwanda, and Spanish.
Individual child care professionals will be awarded bonuses directly from their employer and do not need to apply.
The application will close on Thursday, May 26, at 6 p.m.
MDHHS Seeking Proposals to Prevent Vulnerable Adult Abuse
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Behavioral and Physical Health and Aging Services Administration is accepting proposals for providing services to prevent elder and vulnerable adult abuse.
Eligible applicants include government, educational and nonprofit organizations that provide prevention services to populations at risk of elder or vulnerable adult abuse.
MDHHS works to ensure all people at risk for elder or vulnerable adult abuse have access to prevention services and a range of resources. Applicants must develop proposals that fall within one of six areas:
- Mediation: Develop programs or processes to allow older adults and their care team to create mutually acceptable solutions to disputes.
- Hoarding: Develop programs and/or processes that work with multi-disciplinary partners to address hoarding and develop long-term viable solutions.
- Safe Housing: Identify and develop systems or solutions to assist elder abuse survivors and/or those elder adults in potential abuse situations to transition to sustainable long-term housing.
- Forensic Accounting: Improve the prevention and prosecution of financial exploitation.
- Elder Death Review Team: Develop or expand elder death review teams to work with medical examiners to identify gaps in justice for elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation victims and develop and implement actionable solutions.
- Investigative Team: Develop or expand investigative teams to work with law enforcement, prosecutor, and adult protective services to identify gaps in justice for elder abuse, neglect and exploitation victims, and develop and implement solutions.
The funding priorities for this application period include proposals that develop new services or enhance existing ones, demonstrate the financial or other value to elder or vulnerable adults, family members, and the community, and identify measurable objectives, metrics and outcomes.
The award period is Oct. 1, 2022 through Sept. 30, 2023. MDHHS expects to award approximately $500,000 to up to six applicants, with a minimum award of $75,000 and a maximum award of $200,000 per applicant.
Grant applications must be submitted electronically through the Electronic Grants Administration and Management System (EGrAMS) program by 3 p.m. on Friday, June 24.
For more information or to apply, visit the EGrAMS website and click the “About EGrAMS” link on the left panel to access the “Competitive Application Instructions” training manual. The complete Request for Proposal document can be accessed on the EGrAMS website in the “Current Grants” section by clicking the “Health and Aging Services Administration” link and accessing the “PRVNT-2023” grant program.
Important Dates
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders living in Michigan are a vital and valued part of our state, making significant contributions to academia, business, medicine, law, technology, government, science, social justice and so many other areas. This month, we join in paying tribute to them and all the contributions they have made. We must recognize the steps that we need to take to ensure a more equitable society free of hate.
Armed Forces Day
Saturday, May 21, was National Armed Forces Day in the United States. In 1949, Defense Secretary Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy and Airforce Days. This was also done after all the U.S. Armed Forces were unified under the U.S. Department of Defense. Armed Forces Day was created as an educational program for civilians to expand the public’s understanding of what types of jobs are performed by service members and the role of the military in civilian life. It is also a day to honor and acknowledge those who serve in the Armed Forces.
Memorial Day
May 30, the last Monday in May, is Memorial Day. This national holiday was created to honor the brave service members who gave their lives to defend our nation. It was originally observed after the Civil War and was called Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags. The tradition is maintained on this day when the president lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. On this day, join me in honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice and keeping their families and loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.