Tag Archives: Kent County

County’s mental health services being cut as state distances itself from funding shortfall problem

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By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

As local health officials statewide seek to work with state officials to deal with funding shortfalls linked to state reimbursement for low income patients, Kent County’s community mental health provider, Network180, has begun belt tightening.

 

Having already made internal staffing reductions in reaction to a funding shortfall, Network180 executive director Scott Gilman said official notification began this week to its local partners that will have their funding reduced or eliminated — but that may be only the beginning of the local belt-tightening, he said.

 

“Even with the cuts, and we are currently looking at about $778K, we still have a $7 million deficit,” Gilman said to WKTV, adding that despite the funding deficit Network180 will be doing what it can to secure cash to make payments to providers. “We have to be really careful … We are the public safety net.”

 

(For more information on the issue, see previous WKTV stories on the announcement of the problem and more details of the problem.)

 

Meanwhile, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) maintains its existing funding contract with the local Lakeshore Regional Entity, through which state funds flow to the local Network180, is sound and needs no adjustment.

 

“Rates paid in Kent County have been certified as actuarially sound for the state by an independent actuary, Milliman (USA Inc.),” Bob Wheaton, MDHHS public information officer, said to WKTV. “MDHHS pays Lakeshore Regional Entity a monthly payment for each Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan eligible individual in their geographic region; those payments vary according to the number of people eligible in a given month. … As stated above, rates have been certified as actuarially sound, so there are no current plans to adjust the rates.”

 

The Lakeshore Regional Entity manages a contract with MDHHS to provide services to Kent, Allegan, Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties.

 

Combined, Network180 and a spectrum of independent groups provide support to persons with developmental disabilities, mental and behavioral health problems including addiction and substance use, and the family members who access services for those needing mental health assistance.

 

Scott Gilman, CEO of Network180. (WKTV)

While the Lakeshore Regional Entity and other state mental health networks have been under financial strain for several reasons in recent years, the basic cause of the current funding shortfall, according to Gilman, is the difference in state funding between two Medicaid programs: the older, established Disabled, Aged and Blind (DAB) program and Michigan’s newer Healthy Michigan. Healthy Michigan provides $24 per person versus the $270 received from DAB, according to Gilman. That has lead to a $9.7 million shortfall for Network180.

 

“The issue is that thousands and thousands of people have transitioned, that makes the rate we are paid not longer valid,” Gilman said to WKTV.

 

Wheaton, with MDHHS, has slightly different numbers as to the funding differential — $271.13 and $39.05 — and also says the number of people who have transitioned between DAB and Healthy Michigan is not the source of the local provider problems.

 

“It is not correct that Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries are mostly people who used to receive DAB benefits,” Wheaton said. “Former DAB beneficiaries make up a small percentage of the 669,000 Healthy Michigan Plan enrollees.”

 

Wheaton was unable to give the specific number of people who transitioned from DAB. He did go into more detail on the state’s contract with the Lakeshore Regional Entity and other similar entities across the state.

 

“Lakeshore Regional Entity is responsible for providing all medically necessary specialty behavioral health services to Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan eligible individuals in their geographic region,” Wheaton said. “The contract between MDHHS is a shared risk contract between the Department and Lakeshore Regional Entity. An increase or decrease in the number of individuals eligible for Medicaid or Healthy Michigan is part of the risk component of the contract; additional numbers of eligible results in higher payments and reducing numbers of eligible results in reduced payments.

 

“The contract between MDHHS and Lakeshore Regional Entity is a shared risk contract. Lakeshore is solely responsible for the first five percent of costs above their revenue. The next five percent of costs above revenue are split equally with MDHHS and Lakeshore Regional Entity both responsible for 2.5%. Any costs exceeding 10 percent of revenue would be borne solely by MDHHS.”

 

But, Gilman points out, a big part of the current funding problem is that the Lakeshore Regional Entity has exhausted its reserves not only due to the DAB-Healthy Michigan issue but to a separate but recent state funding shortfall for autism-related services.

 

“The Department (MDHHS) and the legislature recognized the problem and fixed it for fiscal year 2018, but it resulted in a loss of savings last year fiscal (2017) of approximately $6 million,” Gilman said. “So the savings was depleted and then with the DAB issue on top of that the savings for the Lakeshore Regional Entity is depleted completely. The projection for the LRE is (that DAB-Healthy Michigan issue will cost) $10 million.”

 

The appropriateness of the current contract, and differences in opinions on the revenue shortfall, may well be the crux of the matter as discussions continue between local healthcare providers and state officials.

 

An independent study — funded by Lakeshore Regional Entity and eight of the state’s other nine Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs) — by the Grand Rapids based Rehmann Group estimated a $97 million state-wide revenue shortfall, and a $7.8 million loss for the Lakeshore Regional Entity.

 

Kent District Library director named top librarian in the nation

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Lance Werner, executive director of Kent District Library

Lance Werner, executive director of Kent District Library, has been named the top librarian in the nation by Library Journal.

 

The 2018 Librarian of the Year award honors a professional librarian among nominees from across the country for outstanding achievement and accomplishments reflecting the loftiest service goals of the library profession. Werner was recognized for his strong leadership, effective legislative advocacy and championing access for his more than 200,000 patrons in Kent County.

 

Werner is the first – and only – Michigan librarian to win the Librarian of the Year award.

 

“My version of leadership is to get the best people I can, give them what they need and then get out of their way,” Werner said. “I’m one gear in a big machine where everyone is important.” Werner credits this philosophy as a cornerstone to building strong advocacy among his team, municipalities, strategic partners and patrons.

 

Under Werner’s leadership, Kent District Library:

  • Championed access for all by becoming the first public library in the state to offer e-magazines, e-movies, e-comics and streaming video games free of charge.
  • Extended the reach of technology by circulating iPads and wireless hotspots community-wide.
  • Installed a collection of Little Free Libraries around Kent County. There are currently 14, which are housed in community centers, senior centers, parks and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.
  • Opened a branch in Kelloggsville High School, which will be a community library outside of school hours.
  • Began offering healthcare for part-time employees.
  • Partnered with other West Michigan libraries to collect 50,000 library materials for the Port Arthur Public Library, a Texas library devastated by Hurricane Harvey.
  • Launched a statewide short story contest called Write Michigan, now in its 6th year, which most recently drew more than 900 submissions from children, teens, adults and Spanish-language writers.
  • Provided books for military troops stationed in the Middle East.
  • Trained all staff members in first aid and CPR.
  • Launched adult program series highlighting beer (KDaLe), wine (KDL Uncorked) and coffee (KDL Caffeinated).
  • Partnered with The Geek Group and other local organizations to offer innovative programming, including STEM initiatives.

 

“Working with Lance is exciting,” said Michelle Boisvenue-Fox, KDL’s director of innovation and user experience. “I admire that he has respect for all of our staff and genuinely wants to do the best for our patrons and communities.  This shows in the relationships he has grown over the years and our efforts to grow our KDL family to include more and more community groups.”

 

Werner builds his life around three pillars: kindness, empathy and love.

 

“I don’t feel like I have a job, it’s more of a calling,” Werner explained. “I’m so blessed to do work that I love, with those that I love, for those that I love. I consider myself a public servant and want to add to the greater good and touch the lives of future generations.”

 

Werner has been director of Kent District Library since May 2011. He previously served as director of the Capital Area District Library in Lansing and as a library law specialist at the Library of Michigan. He earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, a law degree from Michigan State University and a master’s of library information systems from Wayne State University.

 

“As the 30th recipient of the LJ Librarian of the Year award, Lance exemplifies the dynamism and keen intelligence we expect in a winner,” said Rebecca T. Miller, editorial director of Library Journal and School Library Journal. “His deep understanding of the importance of building and nurturing strong relationships at all levels has resulted in improved service for his community, enhanced benefits for the Kent District Library staff, and improved the outlook for libraries across Michigan. We are very excited to name him LJ’s 2018 Librarian of the Year.”

 

Werner will receive a $1,500 cash prize and is featured in Library Journal’s January 2018 issue, available in print and online. Werner was previously a 2016 LJ Mover & Shaker and 2017 Michigan Library Association Librarian of the Year.

 

***This news release is available in electronic format for easy social media sharing here: https://www.kdl.org/blog/kent-district-library-director-named-top-librarian-nation.

Wyoming approved tower for updated countywide dispatch system

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Wyoming’s Gezon Water tower will host one of the three towers for the county’s new dispatch system.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

It may have been a short Wyoming City Council meeting this past Monday, but it was a busy one with the council hiring a new finance director for the city and approving a tower for Kent County’s new dispatch system.

 

In 2016, Kent County voters approved a 70-cent surcharge on their telephone and internet connections. The estimated $4.5 million a year would be split between converting the county’s current public safety dispatch system and countywide fire dispatch services.

 

The City of Wyoming was approached about placing one of three of the towers needed for the new 800 MHz radio system on the Gezon Water tower, City Manager Curtis Holt told the council at the meeting. The new system would allow all police, emergency responders and state police personal as well as neighboring county police and fire to be interconnectable as they would all be utilizing the same radio system, Curtis said.

 

The agreement is slightly different then other tower agreements the city has.

 

“This is a no cost agreement,” he said. “We are not charging for this location. We are not charging for this location because it benefits our public safety.”

 

He said the other municipalities hosting towers, which are the City of Grand Rapids and Kent County, are not charging as well to help keep costs down, Curtis said.

 

Curtis also pointed out that the agreement has a maintenance section where as during maintenance of the water tower, the county, at its own cost, would have to move the dispatch tower to a temporary location.

 

The council unanimously approved the agreement. Curtis said the Gezon Water tower will be undergoing a painting project this spring with the new dispatch antennas being installed after that project is completed.

 

The Wyoming City Council also approved an amended agreement with Kent County for dispatch services since effective Jan. 1, the city will not be charged for fire safety dispatch since that is covered under the new surcharge.

 

Rosa Ooms has been named the city’s new finance director.

New City Finance Director

 

After several years without a finance director, the Wyoming City Council approved a motion to promote Rosa Ooms to the position.

 

 

According to the city’s website, the finance department at the City of Wyoming works in the following areas: payroll, payments to vendors, insurance plans such as medical, dental, vision, liability, property, life, and workers compensation, cash management, retirement plans, budget, and bonding. Robert Luders left the finance director position in 2015. The city has been working with a contracted CPA firm since 2014.

 

According to Mayor Jack Poll, Ooms, who has been the city’s deputy finance director, has been in the department, working with staff. “…[from] what she has shown and where we anticipate the finance department to go that she will be an excellent leader in there,” he said.

 

During the council meeting, City Manager Curtis Holt also spoke highly of Ooms and her work in the city’s finance department.

 

“We have been through kind of some ups and downs with our finance department since our finance director retired…,” Holt said. “Rosa has really stepped up and done a great job with our finance department. Our entire finance department is really operating very, very well. We are really pleased with what we are doing and I think that is kind of a tribute to Rosa and her leadership over this kind of tumultuous period. Congratulations to her and I think it is well deserved and I thank her for doing this.”

 

The City Council unanimously approved the recommendation with Ooms officially starting her new position on Jan. 8.

 

The next regular Wyoming City Council meeting, set for Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW, will include the State of the City address from Mayor Jack Poll.

Recycling Center to reopen after equipment upgrades to accept cartons, increase efficiency

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Kent County Recycling Facility

The Kent County Recycling Center will reopen today, Dec. 18, following scheduled upgrades.

 

Kent County entered into a planned facility outage Nov. 28 to install equipment to mechanically sort paper cartons and corrugated cardboard to help keep up with the community’s growing recycling needs. Kent County expected the outage to go through Dec.19 but is ready to begin processing recyclables a day ahead of schedule.

 

“All the equipment was installed as expected and we’ve tested it to make sure everything is working property so we’re looking forward to seeing the haulers deliver recyclables to us on Monday morning” said Nic VanderVinne, Resource Recovery and Recycling Manager for the Kent County Department of Public Works. “We’ve added two major pieces of equipment that will help us manage the incoming material. Adding cartons to the recycling stream will address a type of packaging that is growing in popularity but was previously not recyclable in West Michigan.”

 

As a result of the upgrades, residents and businesses whose recycling comes to Kent County’s Recycling Center will be able to include cartons, including empty creamer, soy and almond milk containers, juice boxes, milk cartons and boxed water.

 

The Kent County Recycling & Education Center is approaching its eighth year of processing single-stream recycling. Over the past seven years, the center has undergone periodic maintenance and upgrades to adapt to changes in community recycling habits. Kent County is investing $1.5 million into this round of upgrades.

 

The Recycling Education Center will be open to the public and staff will be available to answer questions on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week from 1-5 p.m. The facility is located at 977 Wealthy SW in Grand Rapids.

City, county clerks report issues, but quick solutions after voting equipment change

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Voters went to the polls in Kent County Nov. 7 with new voting equipment and systems in place. (Supplied)

 

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

It is not that the Kent County Clerk’s office, or city clerks in both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, were expecting issues with the county’s new election equipment in the system’s debut Nov. 7 — an election dominated by local millage requests and city elections of little controversy.

 

But the election day did produce the as-expected small voter turnout while also revealing a few issues with the new equipment now easily remedied before elections of more state and national interest, and higher voter volume, come in 2018.

 

“Any time there is a transition as large as this — the first change in equipment and learned practices and procedures in over a decade — there are going to be challenges and areas to improve upon,” Robert Macomber, Chief Deputy County Clerk, said to WKTV Friday, slightly more than a week after the recent voting day, and after that day’s meeting between the county clerk’s office and local city clerks. “This ‘off-year’ election offered the county a tremendous opportunity to implement the changes when turnout was smaller, but still having elections in a large number of precincts and varying size of municipalities.”

 

Vote turnout was small, with only 11.2 percent of Wyoming’s 49,658 registered voters doing so, and 12.8 percent of Kentwood’s 35,178 registered voters doing so.

 

The voting system issues exposed on Nov. 7 were also small, according to Macomber, City of Wyoming City Clerk Kelli VandenBerg, and City of Kentwood City Clerk Dan Kasunic — most notably delays in reporting results from the precinct level to the county level, and inability of some voters to use new “adaptive” ballot marking devices.

 

Voting machines in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood looked similar to ones voters were used to. (Supplied)

After more than a year review and selection process, Kent County Clerk and Register of Deeds Lisa Posthumus Lyons early this year selected Dominion Voting Systems, Inc. as the vendor for Kent County’s new election equipment and local firm ElectionSource for associated software. The plan for the new voting machines was to have them used by all voting bodies in Kent County starting with the November election.

 

Some clerks across the state planned to use their new machines at the August 2017 election, and all municipalities are required to have the new machines in place by the August 2018 election.

 

Some experiences familiar, some were new

 

It appears the new machines — which still feature individual manual voting cards and stand-alone tabulators not connected to the internet — worked as expected and it was pretty much the same voter experience as with the old equipment. But a new system by which precinct totals are uploaded to a new county-controlled interactive precinct map experienced some delays, and, at least in Wyoming, special needs voters experienced some issues.

 

“Anytime you have change, there will be some reconciliation between what you expect to happen and what actually happens,” VandenBerg said to WKTV. “The equipment is new, but the concept or function of the new equipment is essentially the same.  I think our poll workers responded very well and I did not receive any complaints from voters.

 

Kent County’s new voting machines operated much like the ones the public is familiar with — and they are never connected to the internet. (Supplied)

“For the average voter who marks and casts a ballot in the tabulator, I doubt their experience differed from previous elections. For voters using the adaptive equipment  — ballot marking device, the difference would have been more notable. I am aware of a couple of instances where the selections made by voters or poll workers did not enable the audio on the adaptive devices. Based on required testing before each election, I know the audio works and so I know this is a topic that we will spend more time on in future trainings.

 

VandenBerg said she has “shared some recommendations (with the county on the issue) … but also have some training strategies in mind if those recommendations cannot be incorporated.”

 

In Kentwood, Kasunic also saw and dealt with a few small issues.

 

“As with any new equipment, it is expected to have some challenges, all of which were dealt with quickly and without any interruption of the election process,” he said to WKTV. “All of these have been addressed with the state, county and vendor.”

 

Kasunic added that he thought “all of the reporting went better than we thought, with a couple slowdowns because we have new equipment and procedures.”

 

Those “slowdowns” in reporting are probably getting the most attention by the clerks.

 

“One area that I thought might be problematic was the transmission of results at the end of election night,” VandenBerg said. “This equipment allows each precinct to modem results directly to Kent County and only 2 of Wyoming’s 26 tabulators were unable to modem results. Neither was the result of equipment failure, but rather an oversight by the poll workers adapting to a new process. In these cases, each (local) clerk has been provided equipment to allow for the transmission of results and I did so within a few minutes of receiving the necessary information from the precinct.”

 

New county system for rapid reporting of results

 

The changes to reporting are part of a new county system of quickly getting results out the public as well as to county, state and — eventually — federal officials.

 

“Election night reporting is the area where we’ve made the most noticeable change to the public,” Macomber said. “In previous elections, Kent County voters would often not have access to complete results in some instances until midnight, and that data was in non-interactive form. With our new equipment, the precincts modem the results to the county and on election night we had our first results within minutes of the polls closing.”

 

The new reporting system allows for public access through an interactive, map-based reporting feature developed by ElectionSource and accessible via the county’s website: accesskent.com.

 

“For this past election we unveiled an initial version, with the fully-functional version being ready for 2018’s elections,” Macomber said. “The public response to the faster, user friendly reporting feature has been very positive.”

 

But, VandenBerg added, it is not just night-of reporting which should be looked at: “I do think there is room for improvement on the reporting side, especially as it relates to canvassing and archival purposes. …  I have shared some recommendations on that as well.”

 

And, Kasunic also advocated for a reporting tweak: “The county is working with the vendor to add features to the reporting to provide percentage of turnout of voters on election night.”

 

The lessons learned from the Nov. 7 election, and the results of the meeting with local clerks, will likely lead to some changes at the county level.

 

“This election provided the county and local clerks the ability to implement and identify the ways our internal procedures and controls conform to — or are challenged by — the new system,” Macomber said. “Where there were challenges, we’ll be working with our vendors, the state elections bureau, and our local clerks to implement changes that ensure consistency, security, and transparency.”

 

Residents encouraged to ‘step forward,’ take advantage of home assistance program

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Many have probably seen the animated ad with the house running away from its owner. The ad is for the state run program Step Forward Michigan, a federally funded program designed to help homeowners facing foreclosure. A program, Kent County Treasurer Kenneth Parrish strongly supports.

 

“I’m a big supporter of the Step Forward Michigan program,” Parrish said during a recent news conference that brought together county treasurers for Kent, Ottawa and Kalamazoo counties along with representatives from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. THE MSHDA oversees the Step Forward Michigan program in collaboration with the Michigan Homeowner Assistance nonprofit Housing Corporation.

 

“Since 2010, the program has helped nearly 1,700 Kent County residents with over $15 million in loans making us the fourth largest user of the program,” Parrish said, adding that of that about $13.9 million was used to cover mortgage payments, $1.2 million for unpaid property taxes and another $15,000 for condominium payments.

 

From the Step Forward Michigan video.

Federal funded with $500 million, almost 35,000 Michigan homeowners have qualified for around $308 million in loans since the program started seven years ago. There is about $40 million left to help eligible households but the clock is ticking as the deadline to apply is 2020.

 

“The Step Forward Program offers great opportunities for families to stabilize their situation and to save their homes,” Parrish said. “We take no pleasure on foreclosing on homes here in Kent County. If you have fallen behind in your property tax, mortgage or condominium payments, I urge you to check out the Step Forward Michigan Program and see if you can get a load that will ultimately help you keep your home.”

 

Those who have been hit with a hardship – medical event, job loss or underemployment, death, divorce, one-time critical out-of-pocket expense – can get up to a $30,000 interest-free loan to get caught up on property tax, mortgage or condo payments. If the homeowner stays in the home for five years, the loan is forgiven and they do not have to pay back the loan, according to MSHDA Executive Director Earl Poleski.

 

Kent County Treasurer Kenneth Parrish talks about the Step Forward Michigan program at a recent news conference.

To qualify for assistance, a homeowner must be a Michigan resident, have an ownership interest in the property and be able to sign a new mortgage lien on property, occupy property as his or her primary resident, have enough income to cover the mortgage, condo association fees, and/or property tax payments going forward, and have cash reserves no greater than $10,000.

 

Any homeowner convicted in the past 10 years on a financial-related felony, including larceny, theft, fraud, forgery, money laundering and/or tax evasion, is not eligible for the program.

 

A homeowner can receive a loan only once from the program. The average loan amount has been $7,383. Loan payments go directly to the county treasurers office, mortgage lender or condominium association, not to the homeowner

 

According to state officials, the process to find out if a home owner is eligible is easier than filling out a full mortgage application. Those interested can go to StepForwardMichigan.org and fill out the questions to see if they are eligible or call 866-946-7432.

 

Kent County residents can also reach out to the Inner City Christian Federation or ICCF at 616-336-9333 or the Home Repair Services of Kent County at 616-241-2601.

Public Museum announces tickets on sale for ‘Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids’ exhibit

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By Kate Moore

Grand Rapids Public Museum

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today that tickets are now on sale for the new traveling exhibit, Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids, which will open this November.

 

Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids, organized by the American Museum of Natural History in New York, traces the natural and cultural roots of some of the world’s most enduring mythological creatures from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and beyond.

 

Opening on Saturday, Nov. 11, visitors will explore the various mythical creatures of the world. Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids features models and replicas of preserved specimens as well as cast fossils of prehistoric animals to investigate how they could have, through misidentification, speculation, fear, or imagination, inspired the development of some legendary creatures.

 

Admission to Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids is $12 for adults, $7 for children, $9 for Kent County resident adults, $4 for Kent County resident children, and $2 for all Museum members. Tickets include general admission to the Museum, and can be purchased online at grpm.org or by calling 616-929-1700.

 

Museum members can be the first to see the new exhibit at the members only preview on Friday, Nov. 10, from 6 to 10 p.m. Members are encouraged to dress as their favorite mythical character for extra excitement! Member preview tickets are $2 per member, and available at grpm.org/Dragons.

 

Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids offers many interactive stations throughout the exhibition. Visitors can build their own dragon on an engaging touch-screen and watch it come alive before their eyes in a virtual environment.

 

Visitors will touch casts of a narwhal tusk to discover how they lent credence to the centuries-old belief in the unicorn. Hands-on stations also include the lower jaw of Gigantopithecus (extinct group of apes) and a life-size reproduction of the talon of a Haast’s eagle.  

 

The exhibition will include imaginative models, paintings, and textiles, along with other cultural objects from around the world. The exhibit will bring to light surprising similarities and differences in the ways people around the world have been inspired by nature to envision and depict these strange and wonderful creatures.

 

This exhibit will be located on the Museum’s third floor and run from Nov. 11 to May 20.

 

Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (amnh.org), in collaboration with the Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney; Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau-Quebec; Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta; and The Field Museum, Chicago.

West Michigan Partnership for Children to launch Oct. 1

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Foster care in Michigan is often difficult to navigate and measuring outcomes is complicated. West Michigan Partnership for Children (WMPC) is the result of direct, intentional change in how child welfare services are delivered throughout Kent County. Representatives from Kent County, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, Network180, the 17th Circuit Court and local child welfare agencies (including Bethany Christian Services, Catholic Charities West Michigan, D.A. Blodgett/St. John’s, Samaritas, and Wellspring Lutheran Services) are partnering to create WMPC in an effort to drive improved outcomes for children in the foster care system.

 

Kent County is the only county in Michigan with such a pilot, which officially launches on Oct. 1. Several other counties have expressed interest in the program. WMPC will pilot a performance-based contract, utilizing a case rate that incentivizes permanency while allowing for flexibility and creativity in funds. Staff will use software that allows for predictive analytics to project successful outcomes and flag cases that are at risk.

 

Kent County Interim Administrator/Controller Wayman Britt believes successful outcomes can be achieved through public/private collaborations between child and family focused agencies, school districts, foundations, business leaders and County staff who put the needs of displaced and vulnerable children first. “These agencies have been working together on improving these systems and outcomes for children for several years though the Kent County Families and Children Coordinating Council (KCFCCC),” said Britt. “Kent County is an innovator and leader in the State of Michigan as it relates to quality, outcome driven programs and services for children in the foster care and child protection systems. Forming West Michigan Partnership for Children is the most logical next step.”

 

Oversight will include a Child Welfare Advisory Committee made of judiciary members and court administration, community members, and representatives of County Administration. The committee will be tasked to do the following:

 

Review performance data of the Kent County Department of Health and Human Service (DHHS) Office for child protection investigations outcomes and in-home child welfare services, and WMPC for out-of- home child welfare services.

 

Provide constructive feedback to the KCFCCC, WMPC, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services related to performance trends and community support in order to improve outcomes.

Kent County becomes Michigan’s first ‘Functional Zero Community’ for efforts to reach every homeless Vet

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By Lisa LaPlante, Kent County, Michigan

 

Kent County joins more than 50 communities across the country who have been designated as a Functional Zero Community by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH).

 

Since 2014, more than 880 mayors, governors, and other state and local officials have answered the call of the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, pledging to do all they can to ensure their communities succeed.

 

It’s working.

 

Current homeless veterans have been connected to resources to secure housing and future vets can be assured a plan to secure them housing after it is known they are homeless.

 

On September 26, area agencies working to attain this goal — including the Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness, housing providers, federal, state, government officials, veterans, and local partners — celebrated their successes for their part in ensuring that homelessness is both rare and brief for Veterans in Kent County at an awards ceremony on the campus of Calvin College.

  1. has identified all Veterans experiencing homelessness;
  2. provides shelter immediately to any Veteran experiencing unsheltered homelessness who wants it;
  3. provides service-intensive transitional housing only in limited instances;
  4. has capacity to assist Veterans to swiftly move into permanent housing; and
  5. has resources, plans, partnerships, and system capacity in place should any Veteran become homeless or be at risk of homelessness in the future.

“It took a team of dedicated, caring community members to rearrange structures and resources so that Kent County can ensure that no Veteran will remain homeless in our community,” Beech shared. “We must honor those who have served our country and use what we have learned in this process to end homelessness for all populations.”

 

In a letter proclaiming Kent County reached Functional Zero, Matthew Doherty, the Executive Director of USICH, spoke of the remarkable efforts of the agencies involved.

 

“We are confident that the infrastructure and systems you have built will ensure that any Veteran experiencing homelessness in Kent County will get the support they need to quickly obtain a permanent home,” Doherty wrote.

 

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority appreciates the collaboration of the pledge agencies.

 

“In its efforts to end veteran homelessness, Kent County has done something remarkable that will serve as a catalyst for other communities working toward this common goal,” MSHDA Executive Director Earl Poleski said. “The State stands ready to assist with the financial, technical and collaborative resources that can help end veteran homelessness here and across our great state.”

 

Commissioner Tom Antor accepted an award on behalf of the Kent County Board of Commissioners.

 

“The County staff has shown a great dedication to helping veterans and ending homelessness,” he said.

 

According to Antor, more than 170 Veterans Affairs Housing Vouchers have been provided in Kent County in recent years.

 

Emergency Management Division reminds residents to be prepared

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The images coming out of Houston are heart-wrenching: people wading through flood waters, homes and businesses destroyed, pets left to fend for themselves. Kent County has seen tornadoes, flooding, blizzards and other severe weather over the years. While the devastation has not been as intense as what Hurricane Harvey left in Texas, damage can create a number of critical, life- threatening issues. During National Preparedness Month, the Kent County Emergency Management Division reminds you to create or update an emergency plan for you and your loved ones.

 

“How you respond to the conditions of disasters, whether it’s an act of nature or a terrorist attack, can make the difference in the outcomes for you, your family, and those you love,” said Jack Stewart, Emergency Management Coordinator for Kent County. “Create a plan, talk about it regularly, and share it with family or friends who may be able to help in times of crisis.”

 

You should always be sure to rotate your basic emergency kit to keep it fresh and up-to-date. A good way to prepare is to think about what you would need for camping at a rustic campground where there is no electricity. Keep up to fourteen days of water and non-perishable food for your household and pets, a first aid kit, an all-weather radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, a one week supply of medications and personal hygiene items in your home at all times. Make sure your vehicle emergency kit is updated as well. In addition, keep a list of your medications in case you need to leave home in a hurry, and remember to back up important documents and files and keep them where they can be accessed immediately if needed.

 

While thinking about your family, also remember to check on your neighbors and friends, especially those with special needs, such as those who are elderly or non-ambulatory. Pets should also be a part of your emergency plan; be sure to keep dog licenses updated, microchip all pets and have a place where they can stay if you can’t remain in your home.

 

Websites for more information on preparedness, including plan ideas and supply lists: www.AccessKent.com/GETREADY

http://www.getreadykent.org/

www.BeMittenReady.com

Kent County remembers Tom Dempsey, Kent County corporate counsel

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Tom Dempsey. Photo by Michael Buck

Corporate Counsel Thomas J. Dempsey died last night after a brief but courageous battle against cancer. Dempsey leaves behind his wife Karen, children Travis Dempsey, Christine (Ronald) Kemker and James Dempsey, and grandson Channing Dempsey. He was 55 years old.

 

Dempsey was hired as Corporate Counsel for the County in March 2014. He was known for his wealth of knowledge as well as his ability to break down complex legal issues for members of the Kent County Board of Commissioners and staff from the Administrator’s Office. He and his team members Linda Howell and Sangeeta Ghosh handled dozens of lawsuits, hundreds of policy and contractual questions and Freedom of Information Act requests on behalf of two dozen County departments.

 

The Board of Commissioners remembers Tom’s enthusiasm and expertise. “Tom was an ever-present figure in our County meetings, seated to my right, to advise on procedure and provide legal counsel,” said Jim Saalfeld, Chair of the Kent County Board of Commissioners. “Because Tom and I were both lawyers and engaged in municipal issues, I felt a special bond with Tom. I am saddened by this loss. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Board of Commissioners are with Tom’s wife Karen and his family.”

 

Dempsey practiced general municipal law with two different firms before working as a municipal leader. He served as Village Manager in Sparta (1996-2002) and City Manager in Portland, Michigan (2003-2014). “Tom was always genuine, always accessible and had a true servant’s heart,” said Wayman Britt, Interim County Administrator. “His experience working in municipal leadership made him a valued member of our team. My deepest condolences and prayers go out to his family and staff at this difficult time. I will miss him.”

 

Dempsey, a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago Law School, was a member of the Michigan Bar Association, the International City/County Management Association, and the Michigan Local Government Management Association among other professional organizations.

 

“His work leading the legal team was professional, polished, and personal,” said Linda Howell, Assistant Corporate Counsel. “His combination of legal experience and municipal leadership gave him unique insight and the ability to evaluate situations and craft solutions that prevented problems and provided a foundation for positive results and outcomes. It was an honor to work with and learn from Tom.”

 

“Tom’s legal counsel to the County was always driven by what was in the best interest of the County,” said Assistant Corporate Counsel Sangeeta Ghosh. “He was a great leader and inspired others to lead a meaningful life both professionally and personally. He leaves his legacy having guided many people in their professional journey.”

 

Funeral arrangements are being handled through Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home: www.mkdfuneralhome.com.

County Commissioners approve merger, announce Kent County Community Action

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By Kent County Board of Commissioners

 

The Kent County Board of Commissioners approved the merger of the Area Community Services and Employment Training Council’s (ACSET) Community Action Agency (CAA) and the Kent County Community Development/Housing Commission at its meeting Thursday, Aug. 24.

 

The newly-formed department will operate as “Kent County Community Action,” putting all staff and resources under one roof to better serve the community.

 

County and CAA staff researched and evaluated the potential of combining and aligning resources of CAA and Kent County’s Community Development/Housing Commission during the last 18 months. In March 2017, the Board of Commissioners authorized staff to proceed with necessary steps for the County of Kent to be designated as the CAA for Kent County, and present necessary requests for approval and transfer of CAA programs and assets to the county.

 

ACSET’s CAA provides weatherization services, utility shut-off protections, food distribution, senior services and more to low-income clients in Kent County. The Kent County Community Development and Housing Commission staff often work on similar projects, programs and customers that align.

 

The new department will be led by Susan Cervantes, the Associate Director of the CAA since 2013. She brings nearly two decades of experience and proficiency to the role, having served with Community Action Agency since 1998.

 

“We truly believe that the transition of ACSET CAA to Kent County will be beneficial for our customers and that they will experience services seamlessly,” said Cervantes. “I am thrilled to see us pull together two teams with a wealth of knowledge who can serve our clients more effectively and efficiently.”

 

The Grand Rapids City Commission approved the merger on Aug. 22.

 

“We are pleased to support this partnership,” Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said. “Our residents will benefit from the enhanced coordination and more efficient operations that will result from this new alliance.”

 

Employees will all be housed in the Human Services Complex at Franklin and Sheldon in southeast Grand Rapids.

 

“This merger brings together staff from two programs that result in decades of understanding of the resources available to help some of our most vulnerable residents,” said Jim Saalfeld, Chair of the Kent County Board of Commissioners. “By bringing these programs together, Kent County is providing better service at lower costs, thereby serving our communities in a more efficient manner.”

 

Being Poor and in Poor Health: The Effects of Poverty Part 1 of 3

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Photo supplied

 

By ACSET Community Action Agency

 

Over 43 million Americans fall at or below the federal poverty level. This means that a family of four is living on $24,600 a year (or $2,050 a month). Being poor in the US also means living 10-15 years less than the richest Americans. This is the first installment in a series that will look at how living in poverty affects health and well-being.

 

The Environment
Poor communities typically have outdated infrastructures. Flint, Michigan is a close-to-home example of how those who live in poverty are exposed to environmental toxins through no fault of their own. Unacceptable levels of lead in the water were poisoning residents of the city.

 

Inadequate housing is another environmental concern for many low-income individuals. Lack of insulation and air leaks can expose residents to extreme temperatures. Faulty furnaces can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Too much humidity can cause mold to grow. These issues can lead to health problems ranging from respiratory disease to death.

 

Nutrition
When you’re poor, there are times when there just isn’t enough money to put food on the table. And unfortunately, the cheapest food is also high in calories and fat. Even if there is money for healthier options, many poor neighborhoods exist in food deserts – areas where there isn’t access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

 

It is difficult to eat well when healthy options aren’t available or are too expensive. Obesity and unhealthy diets lead to increased risk for heart disease and diabetes. It is not surprising that people living in poverty are much more likely to experience these health issues.

 

Healthcare
People living in poverty in the US are fighting a losing battle when it comes to preventing and treating illness. In 2015, the National Center for Health Statistics found that poor individuals were three times more likely to avoid needed medical care due to cost. Poor Americans are also less likely to see a doctor for preventative care.

 

While the number of individuals who have health insurance has increased since 2013, there are still many who can’t afford medications to treat chronic health issues or specialized services like dental and vision care.

 

In 2015, it was estimated that over 91,000 Kent County residents were living at or below the federal poverty level. ACSET Community Action Agency is working to address the causes and effects of poverty. They offer programs that provide home weatherization, emergency food assistance and help applying for health insurance. All of these services can help improve the health of those living in poverty in our community.

 

Your Community in Action! is provided by ASCET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org.

Grand Rapids Maker Faire expands for its fourth year

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By Christie Bender

Grand Rapids Public Museum

 

The Grand Rapids Mini Maker Faire is back on Aug. 19 and 20 for its fourth and biggest year yet. Held at the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) and nearby Grand Valley State University’s Hall of Engineering, Maker Faire combines a traditional science fair with innovation, technology and creativity.

 

Maker Faire is a community celebration of people who make things from prototyping and inventing, to those with unique trade skills, and more. Each booth offers a unique, hands-on opportunity to see how things are made and to learn how to do it on your own. Visitors to the Grand Rapids Maker Faire will see more than 100 maker booths ranging from robotics and 3D printing, to drone races, glass blowing, blacksmithing, wood turning, and even be a part of an iron pour during the two-day event! For more information and to see all of this year’s makers, visit GrandRapids.MakerFaire.com.

 

The Faire will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19 and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20.

 

Grand Rapids Maker Faire tickets are on sale now. Two-day passes are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $8 for children, and single day passes are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $5 for children. Kent County residents receive discounted tickets and Museum members are only $1 per day! Visit GrandRapids.MakerFaire.com for tickets and more information.

 

Part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, Maker Faire gathers all-ages to learn and teach about new ideas and collaborations! Interactive stations and inventions will be showcased by tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, artists, students, and commercial exhibitors. All of these “makers” come to Maker Faire to show what they have made and to share what they have learned. Visitors to this year’s Grand Rapids Maker Faire can expect to see and interact with more than 150 maker booths.

 

Featured Maker

This year the Grand Rapids Maker Faire will see a special Maker, the Chicago Crucible, doing the first ever iron pour on the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s lawn! Visitors are able to purchase a small cast to carve, and see the casts be poured during the event on Saturday, August 19! The casts will cool overnight, and be available for pick up at the event on Sunday, August 20!

 

The 4th annual Grand Rapids Maker Faire is sponsored by MAKE, DTE Energy Foundation, JR Automation Technologies LLC, Wood News Radio, Allegra Marketing, Print and Mail, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, Kent Intermediate School District, Lloyd Mandelbaum Director at Chicago Crucible LLC, James Foerch, Koops, Inc., Open Systems Technologies and WGVU Public Media.

 

The Grand Rapids Maker Faire is being organized by a collaborative committee chaired by DTE Energy Scotty Kehoe, along with the GR Makers Mark Van Holstyn, The Geek Group Lis Bokt, Grand Rapids Community College Moss Ingram, Grand Valley State University Dr. Wael Moktar and Samhita Rhodes, Kent District Library Craig Buno, Kent Intermediate School District Rick Mushing and Ebiri Nkugba, Camp Newaygo Scott Lakin and Engine Matt Gryczan, Michigan Crossroads Council- Boy Scouts of America Bridget Knight, WMCAT Trudy Ngo-Brown and the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

 

Follow Grand Rapids Maker Faire on Twitter @makerfaireGR and on Facebook at facebook.com/makerfairegr.

 

Grand Rapids Mini Maker Faire is independently organized and operated under license from Maker Media, Inc.

Kent County storm damage UPDATES

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By Kent County Sheriff Department, City of Wyoming, City of Kentwood

For real-time updates from the City of Wyoming, go here.

The City of Wyoming’s yard waste drop-off site will be open 24/7 through the weekend to allow for storm damage clean up.

The drop-off site, located at 2660 Burlingame Ave. SW, will return to normal hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, July 10. The site is free to Wyoming residents. Go here for more info.

The City is currently working to repair storm damage as quickly as possible. Trees blocking a roadway or a power line can be reported to non-emergency dispatch at 616.530.7300, ext. 1. For information on power outages, go here.

For more information, follow the City on Twitter @WyomingCityHall and on Facebook here.

As of 11:30 am, the City of Wyoming has issued a PARK CLOSURE & STORM DAMAGE UPDATE: Please exercise caution when visiting any park or trail during this weekend.

  • BUCK CREEK TRAIL. Closed.
  • PINERY PARK: Closed.
  • HILLCROFT PARK: Playground & shelter closed. Trail and general park area open.
  • LAMAR PARK: One section area closed. Disc golf open. All other areas of park, including splash pad are open.
  • ORIOLE PARK: No power – splash pad not working as a result. All other areas are open.
  • DOG PARK: Overhanging tree limb over access road requires caution – avoid. Dog park is open.
  • FROG HOLLOW: No power. Playground open.
  • LEMERY PARK: No power. Playground, tennis courts, active play areas open. Buck Creek trail closed.

From the City of Wyoming: “We cannot anticipate and identify all concerns immediately. Again, look up & down when visiting any park or trail following storm events. Exercise caution and report (message) any concerns.”

For real-time updates from the City of Kentwood, go here.

City of Kentwood crews are cleaning up debris and fallen trees on city streets and sidewalks. Remember, it is the property owner’s responsibility to clean any debris from your yard. At this time, Kentwood does not have debris drop-off, but they are currently assessing the situation.

 

The City of Grand Rapids accepts yard waste from non-residents for a fee at 2001 Butterworth SW.

 

The City of Kentwood reminds residents to contact Consumers Energy if you see a downed line. Downed Line phone number is 800.477.5050 — and stay at least 25 ft away from the line. More information about what to do with a downed line can be found here.

 

Consumer’s Energy is working to restore power. Please check their outage map for more about your location.

As of 10 a.m. today, Friday, July 7, Kent County Emergency Management has been working since the early morning hours to determine the severity of storm damage throughout the County. Thus far, no injuries have been reported due to storm damage in Kent County.

 

Public works crews throughout the County are working to remove debris in roadways and utility crews are working to repair downed power lines.

 

More than 50,000 people lost power in Kent County this morning.

 

“Because of the busy activity of our responders, we are not going to run the monthly siren tests throughout Kent County at noon today,” said Jack Stewart, Emergency Management Coordinator for Kent County. “Monthly testing will resume August 4. We want to focus today’s efforts on the more immediate needs of our communities.”

 

Kent County Road Commission has additional crews working to remove large trees from roads.

 

“Much of the work is from Five Mile Road through southern Kent County at this time,” said Jerry Byrne, Director of Operations of the Kent County Road Commission. “Right now, the Alto area has significant damage, with trees in the road on Whitneyville Avenue and on Buttrick Aveune SE. If you see our crews, please either turn around or proceed with caution.”

 

Central dispatch in Kent County has been

Storm damage (from photo archives)

busy responding to calls all morning. Kent Count Emergency Management staff reminds residents:

  • If you see a downed power line, do not approach it!!! Call 911.
  • If you have lost power, report it to your energy provider either by phone or online.
  • If you plan to use a power generator, follow manufacturer instructions. DO NOT use a generator in the garage or basement of a home and make sure there is good clearance for exhaust to move away from your home. Carbon monoxide, the gas that is produced by a generator, can be odorless, tasteless and deadly.
  • Now is a good time to make sure you have a plan for storm-related damage. Make sure you have a week’s supply of water, several days of non-perishable food, flashlights/batteries, a first aid kit, and a weather radio. Several apps are available for smartphones, including weather warning apps and incident preparation apps.

New technology simplifies Kent County’s FOIA request process

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Kent County’s FOIA web page

By Victoria Mullen, WKTV

 

Have you ever filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to get information from a governmental body? If so, you are likely familiar with how slow and cumbersome the process can be.

 

For those not familiar with FOIA, it’s a law that gives the public the right to request information from the federal government, often described as the law that “keeps citizens in the know about their government.” Enacted in 1967, it requires federal agencies to disclose any information requested unless it falls under one of nine exemptions which protect interests such as personal privacy, national security and law enforcement.

 

Michigan enacted its own FOIA (Act 442) in 1976.

 

Kent County currently processes more than 4,300 FOI requests each year. To streamline the process, the county’s Corporate Counsel’s Office has updated the website to allow the public to submit requests for public records online, through the County’s web page. The new electronic system automates the FOIA processing from submission of the request until final disposition.

 

Sangeeta Ghosh, Kent County Assistant Corporate Counsel

On June 15, Assistant Corporate Counsel Sangeeta Ghosh, along with AccessKent vendor Webtecs, rolled out the upgraded system for FOIA coordinators who serve at the Sheriff Department, Prosecutor’s Office, Purchasing Division, Health Department, and Animal Shelter. The new system will help process timely FOIA responses, as requestors have the right to file appeals or lawsuits that can result in increased civil fines, punitive damages, and legal fees and costs to a public body.

 

The upgrade lets users track the status of a FOIA request from start to finish. Upgrades to the system provide a faster turnaround in releasing records, uploading records online for a user to download from his or her preferred device, encryption of confidential records, retention of records, generation of reports, payment by credit or debit card, internal communication between the Corporate Counsel staff and coordinators on formal responses, and monitoring for legal exposure.

 

 

 

 

 

Your Community in Action: Expanding affordable housing opportunities

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By ACSET Community Action Agency

Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF) recently announced that they signed an agreement to purchase nearly 200 homes in Grand Rapids and Lansing from a Chicago developer. ICCF will work with other affordable housing advocates to make sure these homes remain affordable for individuals and families with limited incomes.

While Kent County—and Grand Rapids, in particular—is seeing tremendous population and economic growth, it is creating a housing shortage that is driving up the cost to buy or rent a place to live. In many cases, people who have lived in neighborhoods for decades can no longer afford to live there.

There are several agencies in Kent County that are working to ensure that all residents have access to affordable housing and thriving communities. When the broad community is engaged in addressing the urgent need for adequate, affordable housing, we all become less vulnerable and more resilient:

Habitat for Humanity of Kent County brings people together to build or rehabilitate affordable homes.

Kent County Land Bank Authority works with local governments and nonprofits to revitalize and stabilize communities.

Kent County Housing Commission provides rental assistance to families on extremely low incomes through a voucher system. They also educate property owners and the community on the need for affordable housing.

LINC Up links community organizations with real estate developers to “help neighbors, business owners, and community stakeholders realize their visions for the community.”

Your Community in Action! is provided by ASCET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org.

Kent County Issues Refunding Bonds, Projected Savings of $4.0 Million

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Kent County is taking advantage of both its Triple A Bond Rating and favorable interest rates to refund two separate bonds originally sold in 2007 and 2008. By combining the two issues, the County will save an estimated $4.0 million in interest payments on a nominal basis.

 

In 2007, Kent County issued $27 million in Building Authority Bonds to acquire, construct, furnish, and equip the Human Services Complex on Franklin Street in Grand Rapids. The following year, the County issued $14.3 million in Capital Improvement Bond to make improvements at the Kent County Fuller Campus and to acquire land and construct a building for 63rd District Court on the East Beltline in Grand Rapids Township. Since the issuance of the two bonds, interest rates have significantly declined so that it now is opportune time to refund both bonds and take advantage of associated interest rate savings.

 

High bond ratings – similar to high credit scores when buying a house – can have an impact on the rate of interest charged. County Administrator/Controller Daryl Delabbio, who is retiring in June of this year, credits the hard work of his Fiscal Services staff for the savings. “The staff, led by Fiscal Services Director Steve Duarte, have kept the County’s credit rating strong over the years,” Delabbio said. “When people ask, ‘Why is a Triple A credit rating important,’ it’s great to be able to point to projects and issues like this and say, ’Here is one reason.’”

 

“Daryl and his staff have provided great leadership over the past two decades, setting a solid foundation for economic policies and fiscal responsibility,” said Board of Commissioners’ Chair Jim Saalfeld. “This Board is fortunate to have elected and appointed leaders that look for ways to deliver services in the most effective and efficient manner, saving our residents and businesses money in the long-term.”

 

In June rating agencies S&P Global and Moody’s Investors Service affirmed the long-term Triple-A credit ratings for Kent County, marking the 19th consecutive year of this distinction. Credit ratings from these agencies are important in allowing local units of government to borrow money at lower interest rates, reducing costs to the average tax payer.

School News Network: A ‘Thank You’ from KISD

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By Ron Koehler

KISD Assistant Superintendent, Organizational & Community Initiatives and Legislative Affairs

 

Kent County voters on May 2 turned out to the polls and expressed confidence in their schools by approving a ballot proposal that will provide crucial support to all 20 districts in Kent ISD. The enhancement millage will yield approximately $211 per pupil for each of the next 10 years, beginning with the 2017-18 school year.

 

Thank you!

These dollars are essential to help our schools meet the needs of students, maintain programs and create more connections to the world of work as we prepare young adults for careers.

 

They also create a small, but stable and reliable source of revenue for schools as Lansing grapples with perennial budget problems, which make it very likely legislators will be tempted to drain even more money from the School Aid Fund for higher education in coming years.  Currently, more than $600 million is going out of the School Aid Fund to support community colleges and universities.

 

Ron Koehler

The recent Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference, conducted twice a year to predict revenues available for state government, forecast slow growth in Michigan’s general fund and significant budget pressures ahead.

 

Just a week earlier, the Senate Fiscal Agency projected a $2.072 billion hole in the general fund budget in five short years, due largely to the road package that passed in 2015 with a commitment to use general fund dollars to augment the fuel taxes dedicated to road repair. Other factors contributing to the projected deficit were elimination of the Personal Property Tax on business and the sales tax on the difference between the price of a new vehicle and the customer’s trade-in.

 

Legislators are already responding to the pressure. In the wake of the bleak general fund projections, Republican Rep. James Lower of Montcalm County introduced HB4261 to divert some $430 million from the School Aid Fund to the general fund by reversing the decades-long policy of applying all tax refunds to the state’s general fund.

 

Amid all of this, Kent County taxpayers sent a clear message to Lansing: Education is important.  Students deserve better. We need to adequately fund our schools to ensure a positive future for our children, and our communities.

 

So, again, on behalf of our students and our schools, thank you. For those of us who have devoted our careers to the education of children and the betterment of our communities, it is reassuring to know our community values our commitment to this work. Cheers!

 

Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.

Law enforcement charity hockey game to benefit 9-1-1 dispatcher

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Local Entertainment, Non-Profits, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, , , ,
Michelle Bouwens, with her family, is battling cancer and is the focus of a benefit hockey game May 20. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

A 9-1-1 dispatcher — a person who is “always there for you, waiting for your call” — is now in need of support from the community. And the annual Kent Area Law Enforcement’s Old Time Hockey Game offers the public the ability to support while watching some fun hockey action.

 

The Old Time Hockey Game will take place Saturday, May 20, at Byron Center’s Southside Ice Arena, 566 100th St., with the game beginning at 1 p.m. and an open skate to follow.

 

Proceeds from the event will benefit Michelle Bouwens, an 18-year veteran 9-1-1 dispatcher who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, according to her boss, is currently in the fight of her life.

 

“They are always there for you, waiting for your call.  Now, one of them needs your help,” Matt Groesser, Emergency Communications Center manager for the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, said in an emailed statement. “The men and women of the Kent County Communications Center answer over 140,000 9-1-1 calls per year (that’s one call every 4 minutes on average).  They are responsible for emergency communications in a community of over 435,000 people.  … Come join us, and hundreds of others from the area, at the 21st annual Kent Area Law Enforcement Charity Hockey Game.”

 

The charity hockey game is the longest-running law enforcement hockey game in the state. The event is open to the public, with donations accepted.

 

Bouwens is married and has two sons, ages 9 and 10. She is taking unpaid time off to undergo treatment and surgeries, according to supplied information.

 

For more information visit the event’s Facebook link.

 

OK Kentwood residents, now it’s your turn to purge

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Kentwood Public Works Department oversees the city’s recycling center.

As spring ushers in warmer weather, it’s a great time to think about cleaning and decluttering your home. The City of Kentwood will help get rid of some of that unwanted junk with its annual Community Cleanup Day this Saturday, May 6, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

Kentwood residents are encouraged to bring hazardous household materials for disposals, gently used items for donation and electronic devices to be recycled. The drop-off location is the Kentwood Recycling Center at 5068 Breton Rd SE., Kentwood.

 

“Kentwood Cleanup Day is a great service and opportunity for our residents to join their neighbors in keeping our community in great condition,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “It also gives residents the chance to donate to the Salvation Army and responsibly dispose of unwanted items like old computers or hazardous household waste.”

 

The City has partnered with the Salvation Army to collect gently used items for donations (for a list of accepted items, visit the Salvation Army website). Kent County will be collecting household hazardous waste and recycling. (For what is accepted in hazardous waste and recycling, visit the Recycle Kent website.) Comprenew will be onsite to collect electronic devices for recycling. Examples of accepted electronics include mobile phones, computers and fax machines. The large CRT monitors will not be accepted but can be taken directly to any Comprenew location. In Grand Rapids, there is one at 1454 28th St. SE and one at 629 Ionia Ave. SW.

 

Yard waste, mattresses, construction materials and tires will not be accepted. Appliances must have all Freon removed. If you are looking to get rid of a working refrigerator or an air conditioner, you might want to consider contacting DTE Energy or Consumer Powers as both offer incentive programs for removal of such items.

 

Community Cleanup Day is free and open to residents of Kentwood. Residents will be asked to show their photo ID for proof of residency and are asked to enter the drive off Breton Road. Those who own rental or other properties in Kentwood need only show proof of property ownership with a water bill or tax statement.

 

If you have any further questions, or are seeking more information, please call the City switchboard during business hours at 554-0817.

Kent County selects new voting machines; plans roll-out by November

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Kent County will have new voting machines in place by wall of this year. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Kent County, and the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, will have new voting machines in place by later this year as part of a Michigan state-wide upgrade of voting machines — and City of Wyoming clerk Kelli VandenBerg says she is pleased with the selection process and anticipates local voters will be pleased with their new experience.

 

Voting machines in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood will look similar to ones the public is used to, but they will be more “user friendly”. (Supplied)

“Any resident who has voted in the precinct will notice that this is new equipment – but that doesn’t mean there will be a steep learning curve or longer lines at the polls,” VandenBerg said in an interview with WKTV. “One of the key aspects in selecting this particular vendor is that the technology is much improved over our old equipment. This equipment is also much more user friendly.”

 

After a months-long review and selection process, and after the State of Michigan approved three qualified vendors, Kent County Clerk and Register of Deeds Lisa Posthumus Lyons recently announced Dominion Voting Systems, Inc. as the vendor of choice for Kent County’s purchase of new election equipment.

 

According to a press release from the county clerk’s office , the new voting machines will first be used by all local voting bodies in Kent County starting with the November 2017 election. Some clerks across the state reportedly plan to use their new machines as early as the August 2017 election. All municipalities are required to have the new machines in place by the August 2018 election.

 

“My priority for Kent County’s new election system is to provide high quality equipment, the assurance of security, and a positive experience for the voter; each of the systems we considered would accomplish this in unique ways,” Lyons said in supplied material. “At the end of the day, my decision came down to the reliability and customer service for which Dominion is known, and its partnership with ElectionSource, an election services provider located right here in Kent County, which also has a proven track record for first class service.”

 

Lyons said here decision was based on input from local municipal clerks; improved features of the machines and software, including election-night result reporting for the public; high-speed absentee ballot-counting capabilities for local jurisdictions; and overall cost. Working with a local vender was also high on her list.

 

“We are supporting our local economy by working with a business located in our own back yard,” Lyons said in the press release.

 

“Kent County is very fortunate that our Elections Director (Susan deSteiguer) was involved in the committee that did the review,” Wyoming clerk VandenBerg told WKTV. “We also have our new County Clerk with Lisa Posthumus Lyons (involved). I understand her process was very thorough — she took a lot of notes and asked a lot of great questions. Kent County was well-represented in the selection process, and I am very comfortable with how we chose the new equipment.”

 

Kent County website has a fresh, new look

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By WKTV Contributor

 

Kent County’s website accesskent.com had more than 2.2 million visits recorded in 2016, logging nearly 300,000 online transactions (a 21 percent increase from 2015). Today, accessKent has a new look and more convenient design. The new homepage features images promoting various parts of Kent County – from city to suburban to rural communities – and highlights some of the great lists where the County has landed in top spots. The redesign simplifies site navigation, providing a search bar where users can immediately request the page they need. Designers added Google Translate to assist Spanish-speaking residents and enhancements for users who are visually-impaired.

 

The site continues to use technology that reacts to the size of the device being used, adjusting content to fit on smart phones and tablets. “People are accessing services on devices such as smart phones more and more, so our goal is to be user-friendly anywhere, anytime,” said Daryl Delabbio, Kent County Administrator/ Controller. “I personally compared our site to other websites in Michigan counties and cities, and while accessKent has always been one of the best, this redesign is impressive and intuitive, providing excellent customer service in a timely manner.”

 

The vendor for accessKent.com devoted a great deal of time and research into the redesign. “My staff looked at the top governmental and institutional websites in the country for influence and inspiration,” said JoAnn Arcand, President of WebTecs, Inc. “We wanted to create a model based on what has proven to be successful and simple in communities like ours. I’m proud of our work to re-create accessKent.” Some of the services offered include:

  • Court Records Searches & Payments
  • Deeds and Property Look-up
  • Friend of the Court
  • Certified Vital Records and Marriage License Requests
  • Inmate Look-up
  • Dog Licensing
  • Restaurant Inspection Reports
  • Human Resources/Applications for Employment

“This website is the forward face of Kent County to those looking to locate their businesses here as well as companies already located here in the County,” said Rick Chapla, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at The Right Place and member of the Enhanced Access Board which provides direction and recommendations for the accessKent.com site. “In an era of instant access to information and commerce, this new redesign will make it easier, quicker, and more convenient for businesses to engage with Kent County. It will be a business-friendly tool that will provide the information a business wants, when they want it.”

Kent County gets ‘Smart911’ with the goal of improving emergency response

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Kent County Sheriff Larry Stelma, Grand Rapids Central Dispatch Communications Manager Karen Chadwick, Kent County Dispatch Authority Chair and Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt, Kent County Sheriff Department Emergency Communications Center Manager Matt Groesser, and RAVE Customer Success Manager Kevin Hatline.

 

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

“Where is the emergency?” has become the first question area 911 operators ask as more and more emergency calls come from cellphone users.

 

This is because within a minute the call is answered the cellphone will relay a location back which can be anywhere from where you are actually standing to a mile or more away, said Kent County Sheriff Department Emergency Communications Center Manager Matt Groesser.

 

“Often the case is the person calling is in a very intense, stressful, panicky situation and being able to relay details such as location can be difficult,” said Karen Chadwick, communications manager for Grand Rapids Central Dispatch.

 

Various local law enforcement at today’s press conference for Smart911.

Today, at the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, the Kent County Dispatch Authority — chaired by Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt — announced that it would be adapting the Smart911 program where individuals can create an online safety profile for their household. When a citizen makes a call that profile will automatically display the citizen’s Safety Profile to the 911 call taker.

 

“This profile provides key details about you and your family to those taking our 911 calls during an emergency,” said Kent County Sheriff Larry Stelma during the press conference that representatives from various law enforcement agencies throughout Kent County including the Kentwood Police Department and the Wyoming Department of Public Safety attended. “These things might include physical descriptions of your house, your family members. It might include the type of vehicles you drive. It also might include special medical conditions that you or your family might have.”

 

Kentwood Police Chief Thomas Hillen (far left) at the Smart911 press conference.

Other details residents may provide are the pets in the home, the layout of the home and shut off for gas and electricity. It is the type of information that various emergency responders might need, Stelma said.

 

Area residents should go to Smart911.com, click the “Sign Up Today” button and proceed to fill out the information. Sign up is free, private and secure with 911 call takers and responders only able to see the information when a call is made. Once the call is complete, the information disappears from the call taker’s and/or responder’s screen.

 

Powered by RAVE Mobile Safety, Smart911 is currently available in 40 states and more than 1,500 municipalities. Last November, Lt. Governor Brian Calley and other Michigan government officials announced a statewide initiative to make Smart911 available to all residents. While free to residents to sign up, the cost to Kent County for the service is around $40,000 which is being paid for by a grant for the first year.

 

Holt said he sees the City of Wyoming doing similar promotions as the state on its Facebook page, website and through other media. Officers throughout the county will have materials available to distribute with the goal of encouraging residents to sign up. Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll said he already is planning to include Smart911 information that he provides to residents, especially older citizens.

 

“It’s a good idea,” said Kentwood Police Chief Thomas Hillen. “Having that type of information such as a pinpoint of location is quite a big help in responding to an emergency.”

 

“The additional information provided in a Smart911 safety profile can save critical minutes in an emergency and help responders offer better services,” Holt said. “All information is optional and each citizen has the ability to choose what they would like to include.”

 

Multiple phones can be connected to one address as well as a single phone line can have both home and work addresses assigned to it. Also, the program works with all types of phones from traditional land lines, VOIP, cable and mobile.

 

For more information about the program or to enroll, visit Smart911.com.

Grand River rising causes Emergency Management to monitor potential flooding issues

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The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids issued a Flood Warning for the Grand River until Tuesday morning. The County could have some of the highest levels seen in quite some time, but a repeat of the severe flooding seen in April 2013 is not anticipated. Kent County Emergency Management reminds everyone that spring flooding can quickly become dangerous and in some cases, deadly. There are some areas where flooding is already occurring after the rain received over the past week. While no emergencies are expected at this time, there are areas that historically have seen flooding. If you live or travel through these areas, being aware is important.

 

Health and safety are still the top priorities for residents and County personnel. River and creek waters can move fast and carry debris that can be dangerous. Just six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock people off their feet, and two feet of flood waters can carry a car. Do not try to walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. If you see flood water in the road, or barricades posted on roads, please turn around and take a different route. “We ask that residents be aware and cautious as river levels rise,” said Jack Stewart, Kent County Emergency Management Coordinator. “The National Weather Service says flooding is likely along nearly the entire stretch of the Grand River and its associated tributaries. We will monitor the situation throughout the weekend.”

 

This morning, the Grand River was measured at 13.8 feet; flood stage is 18.0 feet. The River is expected to rise above flood stage Sunday before midnight and continue to rise to near 18.1 feet by early Monday morning. Residents in low lying areas of Grand Rapids may see basement flooding, and moderate flooding could happen for homes and structures in Comstock Park as well as Robinson Township (Ottawa County). The River should return to below flood stage by Monday night.

County Action Agency to merge with Kent County

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In an effort to provide efficiencies and better serve residents, the Board of Commissioners authorized staff to move forward with a plan to merge two programs with similar goals. The Area Community Services and Employment Training Council’s (ACSET) Community Action Agency Division (CAA) will merge with the Kent County Community Development/Housing Commission Department to better serve the community.

 

ACSET’s CAA provides weatherization services, utility shut-off protections, food distribution, senior services and more to low-income clients in Kent County. The Kent County Community Development staff have been working on similar projects with agencies such as Home Repair Services, Dwelling Place and others. “The County staff did its due diligence in looking at how a proposed alignment of CAA and Community Development/Housing Commission could improve the delivery of services to low-income clients,” said Matthew VanZetten, Interim Director of Kent County Community Development/Housing Commission. “As Kent County continues to grow and change, government needs to be responsive. The merger allows us to streamline services and reduce silos so we can better serve our residents.”

 

Over the past year, County staff researched and evaluated the potential of combining and aligning resources of CAA and Kent County’s Community Development/Housing Commission. Once the merger is complete, employees will be housed in the Human Services Complex at Franklin and Sheldon in southeast Grand Rapids. “This alignment of resources provides the best possible environment for CAA and the County to continue to deliver essential services,” said Jacob Maas, Chief Executive Officer for ACSET. “It’s an exciting opportunity to better serve low-income individuals and families in Kent County.”

 

The CAA Advisory Committee and Kent County Housing Commission provided input during the process, and a community forum was held last month to receive comments or concerns. To date, all feedback has been positive. The State of Michigan has provided a letter indicating its support for Kent County to assume the Community Action Agency designation from ACSET. “Our County staff has once again demonstrated that collaborating with an external agency can provide needed services in a cost-effective manner,” said Chair Jim Saalfeld. “I applaud and thank the County staff for seeking creative and innovative ways to help our low- income residents.”

Kent County to start testing of tornado/high winds warning sirens in April

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Damage from the 2016 tornado in the City of Wyoming.

By Lisa LaPlante

Kent County Community Liaison and Communications Director

 

In 2016, the August 20 tornado outbreak across West Michigan caused more than five million dollars in damage. The National Weather Service determined that six tornadoes touched down in a matter of hours, including two EF0 tornadoes in Grandville, Wyoming and Grand Rapids. The State of Michigan was hit by 16 tornadoes last year, just slightly higher than the average 15 per year. Kent County has a system of sirens to alert residents of high winds or tornadoes. Starting Friday, April 7, and continuing on the first Friday of every month at noon through October, tornado alarm testing will be heard in Kent County homes and businesses.

 

Ideal Park was loved for its dense tree canopy now lost from the 2014 tornado.

It is important to plan in advance for disasters to know how you and your family will get to a safe place, how to contact each other and what to do in different situations. “Traffic was a dilemma in the initial hours after the tornadoes hit Kent County last August,” said Kent County Emergency Management Coordinator Jack Stewart. “Trees and debris in roadways made getting around difficult. Determine a location where you will meet your family during an emergency, both near your house and further away, in case your neighborhood streets are closed.”

 

If a disaster occurs, it may be easier to make a phone call to a designated out-of-town contact, as phone lines may be overwhelmed. Make sure that person is aware that he or she is the designated contact. Pet owners should have a disaster plan for pets as well. This is a great time to review severe weather plans, refresh supplies and make sure preparations are complete. Check flashlights and stock up on fresh batteries. Homes should have enough fresh drinking water and canned food items for three days, a can opener, an all-weather radio, and a first aid kit.

 

If you don’t hear the sirens April 7 at noon, please contact your local township or city office. Be vigilant whenever severe weather is in the forecast. While no location is completely safe from a tornado or severe thunderstorm, it is important to seek all possible protection. For more about severe weather, go to http://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/SWApacket_554981_7.pdf.

Smartphone apps are available that will provide notification of weather watches and warnings. Severe weather watch means the potential exists for the development of storms/tornadoes, so be mindful of changing conditions. Severe weather warning mean that storms are imminent or occurring. Move indoors to a place of safety. If it is a Tornado Warning, take shelter in a location on the lowest level of the building, such as the basement, or in a small, windowless room at the innermost part of the building.

Need help meeting a basic need? Call 2-1-1!

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By ACSET Community Action Agency

Sometimes life can bring unexpected challenges. The loss of a job, unexpected medical bills or a house fire can make a financially stable family face homelessness. Unfortunately, unexpected emergencies can happen at any time. There are many organizations in Kent County that provide assistance in these situations. But how do you know whom to contact? What if you need help with food and paying utilities and rent all at the same time?

There is one resource that connects residents to more than 2,900 services in Kent County. The Heart of West Michigan United Way’s 2-1-1 database is the first place families should go in their time of need. Information can be easily accessed by calling 2-1-1 anywhere in Kent County, emailing HWReferral@incontactemail.com or online at: http://www.referweb.net/hwmi/. They even have their own app available for androids and iPhones — just search Kent 2-1-1 to download.

Whatever your situation, you are not alone. In Kent County, it is estimated that 39% of households are struggling to afford basic needs. Last year our local 2-1-1 answered 65,000 calls for help. Most calls are for assistance with:

  • Food
  • Healthcare
  • Housing
  • Utilities
  • Transportation

The database also offers resources specifically for Veterans and information on employment services, education and arts & recreation.

Your Community in Action! is provided by ASCET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org

Kent County Board approves funding for mental health court study

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By Lisa LaPlante

Kent County

 

Mental health issues are perhaps one of the largest contributing factors to recidivism. Providing much-needed treatment to those suffering from mental health issues could help offenders recover and stay out of the justice system, while alleviating the strain on the courts and jails. The Board of Commissioners recently voted to accept a $33,000 Mental Health Court Planning Grant from the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) be appropriated to the 2017 Special Projects Fund budget.

 

The State Legislature created the mental health court statute in 2013, enabling trial courts in Michigan to develop and operate mental health courts.  A mental health court is a specialized court docket for certain defendants with mental illness that substitutes a problem-solving model for traditional criminal court processing.  The SCAO makes funds available annually for planning and implementation of mental health courts.

 

The 17th Circuit Court, in collaboration with Network180, received the funding to evaluate the need for a mental health court within Kent County and how these services would best be delivered.  As required by the grant, staff representing the 17th Circuit Court, local district court, Network180, County Prosecutor, Sheriff’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, mental health services providers and County Administration will participate in the project planning committee.

 

“We simply cannot operate in silos when it comes to the mental health system and the justice system,” said Judge Donald A. Johnston, 17th Circuit Court Chief Judge. “By working together, we hope to enhance public safety and make a difference in the lives of individuals who are trapped in an endless cycle of illness and jail.”

 

Grant funds will be primarily used to contract with a consultant to serve as the Mental Health Court Planning Coordinator. The coordinator will work with the project planning committee to determine whether implementation of a mental health court in Kent County would reduce recidivism, enhance public safety, and improve outcomes for mentally ill citizens.

 

“When we treat mental health issues successfully, we will save money that would be spent on court costs and incarceration,” said Jim Saalfeld, Chair of the Board of Commissioners. “Our Board is hopeful that this study will result in development of a program into the future.”

 

James Hughes, former Regional Administrator for the Michigan Supreme Court, will coordinate the effort on a contractual basis under the direction of the 17th Circuit Court Administrator Andrew Thalhammer.  “Kent County has a great opportunity to improve outcomes for persons with serious mental illness who become involved in its criminal justice system.  I plan to identify the best practices from other Mental Health Courts in Michigan that could be started here in Grand Rapids,” Hughes said.

 

The study is expected to be completed by September 30, 2017 to allow development of a proposal for an implementation grant during FY 2018 if recommended by the planning committee and accepted by the court and appropriate funding unit.

 

“Treatment is a much more cost-effective way to deal with mental health issues, but it is also a more holistic course of action,” said Scott Gilman, Executive Director of Network180. “I look forward to the work we can do and the lives we can positively impact through this planning period.”

Need to make some home repairs? Kent County increases grant funding

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By Lisa LaPlante

 

Residents in need of repairs or home modifications may be eligible for additional funding through a grant available in parts of Kent County. The Board of Commissioners voted this morning to provide an additional $181,689 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for repairs on homes owned by low- to moderate-income families.

 

Kent County currently contracts with Home Repair Services (HRS) to provide home repairs of up to $10,000 for eligible clients outside of the cities of Grand Rapids and Wyoming (which have their own funding components). Those living in Kentwood would be eligible. The Kent County CDBG funds two programs:

*         Minor Home Repair Program: emergency home repairs to single family, owner-occupied homes for very low income homeowners making 80 percent of area median income (i.e. roofs, septic systems, furnaces, etc.);

*         Access Modification Program: modify homes of eligible individuals with mobility impairments in order to improve access and use of the home.

 

“The County partnership with Home Repair Services is vital to many homeowners,” said Jim Saalfeld, Chair of the Kent County Board of Commissioners. “Home repair or modification is often difficult for families living on a fixed budget, especially our most vulnerable elderly residents or those living with disabilities. This funding will assist families with necessary repairs that will also help retain or improve home values.”

 

“Home Repair Services is thrilled and honored to partner again with Kent County to maximize the use of these extra funds,” said HRS Executive Director Joel Ruiter. “We look forward to strengthening additional lower-income and vulnerable homeowners throughout the County. Successful and safe homeownership builds value and results in a stronger more vibrant community for us all.”

 

To learn more about Home Repair Service programs, call 616-241-2601 during business hours or go to www.homerepairservices.org.

Recycling Facility in Grand Rapids shut down due to baler malfunction

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UPDATE: The Kent County’s Recycling & Education Center is now open and processing recycables as of 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22.

 

Kent County’s Recycling & Education Center experienced a mechanical malfunction in the baler that caused the facility to shut down. During this time the Recycling Center is unable to accept recyclables placed at the curb for pickup by waste haulers.

 

“Despite having preventative maintenance programs and dedicated maintenance staff, there are always going to be things that happen to the equipment that are outside of our control. Sorting equipment in these state-of-the-art processing facilities is dependent on all pieces working together,” said Darwin Baas, Director of Kent County’s Department of Public Works, an enterprise fund of Kent County that owns and operates the facility. “The baler is a critical piece of equipment in our system and we are unable to run for any length of time without it.” Residents and businesses are encouraged to hold off placing recycling carts out for service for the next couple of days in anticipation of the facility being able to process recyclables again at the end of the week.

 

Currently between 1,000 and 1,250 tons of material is awaiting processing on the ‘tipping floor’, where waste haulers dump recyclables that will be processed once the plant is back up and running. Kent County is working closely with two different companies to assess the baler repairs and establish a timeframe.

 

Haulers that normally deliver recyclables to the Kent County Recycling & Education Center are being redirected to Kent County’s Waste to Energy Facility, about a mile away, as of 2 p.m. today.

 

“Sending recyclables to the Waste to Energy Facility is not ideal. Sending recyclables to Waste to Energy is a much better alternative than landfilling. We can extract the energy, generate electricity and feed that back into the grid for productive use,” noted Baas.

 

While the Recycling Center is down the service fee for haulers tipping recyclables will be waived.

 

Kent County DPW will post updates on the progress of the electrical repairs on its recycling website, www.recyclekent.org.

Help for seniors who can’t leave home

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Your Community in Action!

 

By Community Action Partnership of Kent County

 

Nearly two million Americans over the age of 65 rarely or never leave their homes. In fact, there are more homebound seniors in the US than there are living in nursing homes. Many of these individuals are homebound because they have illnesses like heart and lung disease, arthritis and dementia. They may no longer have access to transportation or they may experience anxiety when leaving the house.

 

Whatever the reason, research has found that those unable or unwilling to leave their homes don’t always receive the care they need. They are more isolated than their counterparts in assisted living. Increased isolation increases the risk of depression, dementia and long-term illness.

 

The majority of homebound adults in the United States are low-income and face language barriers. This makes it more difficult to get adequate care and even proper nutrition. To help meet the needs of these individuals in our community ACSET Community Action Agency (CAA) delivers meals to homebound seniors over the age of 60 living in Kent County. Nutritious and flavorful meals are delivered to their homes each weekday, Monday through Friday.

 

ACSET CAA also offers door-to-door transportation for seniors who need a ride for medical appointments, grocery shopping and other services. Transportation is reserved for low-income seniors over the age of 60. Buses run 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. To find out if you or a loved one qualify for meal delivery or transportation, call ACSET CAA at (616) 336-4000. Latin American Services staff are available to assist Spanish-speaking seniors with their needs.

 

Your Community in Action! is provided by ACSET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org

63rd District Court receives high satisfaction rating for fourth year

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For the fourth year in a row, the 63rdDistrict Court for Kent County received high marks from the public regarding their experiences with the court. Using a survey that was administered in courts statewide, the 63rd District Court asked court users questions about whether the Court was accessible, timely, and fair, and if they were treated with courtesy and respect by judges and court staff.

 

“The focus of the 63rd District Court is to serve the public, so we very much appreciate their input,” said Chief Judge Sara J. Smolenski. “Both Judge Jeffrey O’Hara and I appreciate the hard work and dedication of our court staff.  We want to continue to improve the efficiency of our court, while respecting the rights of all persons.”

 

The 63rd District Court’s area covers all the townships in Kent County such as Gaines, Byron and Caledonia.

 

Highlights from the survey include:

 

  • 97% of court users said they were treated with courtesy and respect by court staff.
  • 91% of courts users were able to get their business done in a reasonable amount of time.
  • 87% of court users said the way the judge or magistrate handled their case was fair.

 

“We use the responses from the survey to assist us in our quest to constantly improve our service to the public,” said Court Administrator J. Kevin McKay. “Our goal is for every person who comes through our doors to feel like they were heard and treated fairly.”

 

Developed with input from judges and court administrators statewide and tabulated by the State Court Administrative Office to insure accuracy, the survey enables courts to identify strengths, provide positive feedback to employees, and target areas for improvement. The survey was completed by a range of court users, including parties to cases, attorneys, jurors, and others.

 

The public satisfaction survey is part of a statewide initiative of the Michigan Supreme Court and the State Court Administrative Office to measure and report on court performance. From 2013 through 2016, nearly 100,000 surveys were completed in courts throughout Michigan. Visit www.courts.mi.gov for more information.

Public Museum makes good on campaign promise, reduces admission for Kent County residents

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The Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

WKTV News

 

Heading to the Grand Rapids Public Museum today? Well, Kent County residents will be pleased to know that the admission fee has been reduced.

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum announced that admission for Kent County residents would be free for children ages 17 and under; $5 for Kent County residents; $3 for Kent County seniors; and free parking with paid Museum admission and parking valdiation. Kent County residents will need to show a government issued ID to receive these benefits.

 

As part of the millage, exhibits and programs at the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the John Ball Zoo will be expanded and updated.

The benefits for Kent County residents officially kicked in today and are the result of a voter-approved millage for the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the John Ball Zoo which was on the 2016 November ballot. The proposal was overwhelmingly approved, 173,152 to 108,333.

 

“Thanks to the financial support of the voters of Kent County, the Museum can continue to serve as an irreplaceable community resource and a symbol of regional importance,” said GRPM President and CEO Dale Robertson. “As a thank you to voters and to our community, we are pleased to offer these benefits, making the Museum more accessible to all.”

 

The new rates for Kent County residents are good for the life of the millage, which is 10 years.

 

Admission for residents outside of Kent County will remain the same: $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $3 for students and children. Admission for members is free. Special exhibits do have an up charge; however, those rates will be reduced for Kent County residents. Members pay $2 for special exhibits.

 

The funds from the 2016 millage – which was estimated to raise around $9.2 million in the first year – are designed to help both the Public Museum and the John Ball Zoo create a stable funding sources, ensuring that essential maintenance and facility repairs can take place. It also will provide quality care for the 1,600 animals and 250,000 artifacts at the John Ball Zoo and Museum along with updating and expanding education and exhibits at both facilities. As part of its commit to the millage passing, John Ball Zoo has made all school trips for elementary level students free.

Public invited to engage this week in new Kent County administrator selection process

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By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Kent County leadership is nearing the end of its process to name a new county administrator/controller — in essence the chief administrative and financial officer, as well as the person who oversees day-to-day operation of county government.

 

And the public will have opportunity in this week to engage and offer feedback on the process and the two final candidates for the job.

 

The final candidates for the position are Wayman P. Britt, from Grand Rapids, and Marc S. Ryan, from Land O’Lakes, Fla.

 

On Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 5-7:30 p.m., the county will host an open Candidates Community Forum in the Multi-Purpose Room at the Human Services Complex, 121 Franklin SE, Grand Rapids. This will provide an opportunity for the public to provide feedback regarding the candidates, according to supplied material.

 

The importance of that job is evidenced in the fact that the county’s just approved 2018 budget of $417 million will be second highest in the area, behind only the City of Grand Rapids’ $528 million budget, and that the county will spend just over $350 million to fund the sheriff’s office and courts, social services, the county’s elections, veterans services and other programs.

 

The position answers directly to the Board of Commissioners. The position’s salary ranges from $110,300 to $171,078, according to the county, but the specific contract for the new administrator/controller is as-yet undetermined.

 

“The (recruitment) committee is proud to hold the community forum and ask for public feedback in the recruitment process for this important role,” Sandi Steensma, commissioner and Administrator/Controller Recruitment Subcommittee Chair, said in supplied material. “The community’s input in the process is critical to making the right decision for such an important leadership role. We hope residents will make their voices heard as we complete this process.”

 

Britt is currently the interim county administrator and previously served as assistant administrator. He also played basketball for University of Michigan, and played in the NBA for two seasons before continuing his education. Ryan is currently Chief Strategy and Compliance Officer at MedHOK, Inc., and previously served in the State of Connecticut Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management/State Budget Director.

 

One of the two will replace former Kent County Administrator Daryl Delabbio, who retired in June of this year after 22 years of service to the county.

 

IN addition to the Jan. 10 public access opportunity, on Jan. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the finalist candidate interviews with the full Board of Commissioners, will take place and will be open to the public. Finally, also on Jan. 11, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., recruiting subcommittee will review member commissioner feedback and identify the top candidate to be recommended to the full Board of Commissioners for consideration.

 

For more information visit accesskent.com .