The Mecosta and Osceola County

Human Services Collaborative Body

Working Together To Improve The Quality Of Life

For All Residents Of Our Region

Mecosta/Osceola HSCB

Meeting Summary

Reed City Michigan Works

April 13, 2017

Present: Betty Seelye (UW), Kim Livingston (Ten 16 Recovery Net), Tom Hogenson (Comm Rep), Larry Emig (SFSC Coord/Os Co. Comm), Christopher Price (Ten 16), Chris Vallette (Salvation Army), Don Guernsey (Eagle Village), Jackie O’Connor (AAAWM), Scott Lombard (SHBRRC), Jane Currie (WISE), Scott Schryer (Os.Co COA), Michael Tillman (MOTA), LouAnn Gregory (MOISD-GSC), Karl Yoder (Chemical Bank), Debra Schafer (MMCAA), Mark Petz (NC3-FACF), LeRoy Neal (Os. Co COA), John Klever (DHHS), Angie Peters (NEMCSA), Amy Eddinger (YAC), Kaye Frederick (Os. Co. Family Court), Heather Fisher (Life Resources of N. Mich), Sheena Threatt (True North C.S.), Catherine Chamberlin (CMDHD), Linda Albright (Mi Works),

Meeting opened at 9:05 A.M. By Chair – Debra Schafer

I. Welcome – and Introductions

a. Additions to the Agenda- None

b. Review of March 9, 2017 meeting minutes: Motion: S. Schryer, Second: T. Hogenson

to approve the minutes from the March 9, 2017 HSCB meeting. Motion : Carried

c. Presentations:

1.Heather Fisher-Executive Director of Life Resources-Heather has been the new director for about a year. She provided the HSCB with updates on the various programs offered at Life Resources. The agency is a faith-based organization with offices in Cadillac and Big Rapids. Life Resources serves all who walk in their doors looking for support for pregnancy, sexual health and parenting related concerns.

2.Mike Tillman-Executive Director of MOTA-Mike has been the director for less than a year now taking the place of Ron Schalow. Mike updated us on what is happening in the transportation world. MOTA’s mission is to provide safe, effective, accessible and affordable transportation service in Mecosta and Osceola Counties. MOTA provides regular service, Kwik Trip services, recurring trip service, employment trip services and connecting services. Mike provided data/numbers regarding the various services. For more information, you can go to their website at

3. Mark Petz-Project Coord/Fremont Area Community Foundation-Mark presented information on Teen Pregnancy in Osceola County-A Community Wide Initiative. Mark shared that that one of the most challenging youth health behaviors in Osceola County is the high rate of teen pregnancy. From 2006-2012, Osceola County ranked 65th among Michigan’s 83 counties. The FACF was awarded $103,000 from the Mich Health Endowment Fund to work with health and human services providers to develop and implement collaborative teen pregnancy prevention initiatives in Newaygo, Lake, and Osceola Counties. Osceola County has about $29,000.00 as our

share to help fund these activities. More information was provided by Mark in his handout. As a result of the presentation and the funds available that need to be used before the end of this year, the following individuals were selected/volunteered to move forward with this initiative. Scott Schryer, Betty Seeyle, Amy Eddinger, Heather Fisher, Jane Currie, Don Guernsey, and Larry Emig.

II: Committee/Workgroup Reports-

d. Executive Committee D. Schafer. The Executive Committee did not have a meeting.

e. Advocacy/Systems of Care Committee T. Hogenson –Tom shared that Michelle Hoitenga and Jason Wentworth will be attending our August HSCB meeting. Mentioned HB-4469 that requires state welfare authorities to develop a lottery system to distribute coupons that can be traded for govern approved items at certain farmers markets. I believe this is Project Fresh. We want to keep this program going especially for our seniors. There also was much discussion regarding the Governor, in his FY-17 budget proposal, the called for all Community Mental Health (CMH) Medicaid funding and clients to be transferred to the state’s 11 Medicaid Health Plans (MHPs) by September 2017. There was great opposition to this recommendation, and many people have spent the last year involved with the issue. That work culminated with a Final Report to the Legislature March 15, 2017. The report was issued by the MDHHS 298 Facilitation Workgroup. The bottom line is that the workgroup did not support this measure and developed a number of steps and policies regarding this issue. The Advocacy Committee agreed with the workgroup recommendations and feel the HSCB should send a letter of support of the workgroup recommendations. Motion: T. Hogenson, Support, K. Livingston, to send a letter of support to our legislators and authorize the HSCB Chair to sign. Motion Carried. This committee meets the 4th Tuesday at 10:30 am at the MOISD Resource Center. Everyone is welcome.

f. Housing Continuum of Care Committee L. Emig

The CofC met yesterday. We reviewed the usual monthly reports and any questions were addressed. The main focus of the meeting was a presentation by Molly Bopp, Director of Community Management Associates, on MSHDA’s Rental Assistance Programs for Mecosta and Osceola Counties. CMA is a leader in administering the Housing Choice Voucher Program to over 5,200 families each year in 20 Michigan Counties. CMA (founded in 1984) is a leading advocate for quality affordable housing. CMA is committed to Michigan’s statewide plan to end homelessness, striving to implement the community plan to meet the needs of the homeless as they find a quality home and work toward maximum self-sufficiency. A booklet was made available to each attendee. Their central office is in Big Rapids and the phone number is 796-8883. The Family Expo/Project Connect is coming up on Saturday, April 29th.

g. Finance and Evaluation Committee C. Beagle-The next F and E meeting will be on Tuesday, April 25th. We will be reviewing the FTBS Program provided by Catholic Charities.

h. Coordinators Report: L. Emig-I have nothing to add at this time as things have been busy as noted by the above reports. Continuing to facilitate and support meetings and establish programs and speakers.

III. Peer to Peer Collaboration D. Schafer

IV. Reconvene

V. Public Comment

VI. Adjournment : At the call of the Chair.

Meeting adjourned at: 10:55 am.

Future meetings – May 11, 2017 in Big Rapids

Larry Emig/SFSC Coordinator

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