Children/Family Issues (MI) « Michigan Matters

Articles, Organizations and Services
re: Michigan Children & Family Issues

Articles & Publications About Children/Family Issues – Michigan

• Adoption Proceedings Benchbook – Revised Edtion Dec. 2009-April 2010 (Michigan Judicial Institute)
  This electronic version of the benchbook includes hyperlinks to statutory law, court rules, and other MJI publications cited in the benchbook's text, as well as direct links to the cross-references noted within the benchbook itself.
• DHS Rolls out New Hotline Number to Report Child, Elder Abuse (Michigan Radio – 3/5/12)
  Michigan’s Department of Human Services has introduced a more streamlined process for reporting child and elder abuse in the state. It’s one of a series of child welfare improvements the state agreed to make when it settled a lawsuit with New York-based Children’s Rights group in 2008. The agreement required DHS to create a statewide, 24-hour hotline that anyone in Michigan can call to report possible child or elder abuse.
• Lawsuit: Michigan concealed foster kids' disabilities from adoptive parents (MLive – 9/13/12)
  A lawsuit filed Thursday alleges that state adoption agencies concealed foster children's mental illnesses, diseases and disabilities from adoptive parents and then refused to make payments the special-needs kids are owed.
• Michigan Physicians Must Report Child Abuse
  A new pamphlet that outlines the mandated responsibilities of Michigan's physicians in reporting child abuse in relation to the Michigan Child Protection Law.
• MSU to partner with family-service provider (MSU News – 4-4-11)
  Michigan State University has announced a new partnership with Care.com, a national firm that will help the MSU community connect with a variety of family care services, including babysitting, senior home care and even pet sitting.
• Relative Caregiving: What You Need to Know (MSU)
  This guide will provide basic information about resources available if you are caring for related children in foster care. Foster care provides temporary care and supervision for children who are unable to live with their parents. Whether you are a relative caregiver or a licensed foster parent, providing temporary foster care for a child will be challenging. Understanding Michigan’s child welfare system will help you meet the needs of the child(ren) placed in your home.
• The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) – Michigan Supreme Court
  In 1996, Congress required all states to enact the UIFSA.  In Michigan, UIFSA is now in the statute books as MCL 522.1101 – 552.1901.  This brochure summarizes this Act that allows states to work together in their collection of child-ordered child support.

Organizations & Services About Children/Family Issues – Michigan

• Advocacy Services for Kids (ASK)
  To empower families raising children with mood, behavior and emotional disorders, by providing support, training and advocacy skills, and collaborating with community partners to improve the system of care for children.
• Association for Children's Mental Health
  A statewide organization of the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health.
• Beaumont Hospitals- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
  An active member of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG). A prestigious international organization, COG is the largest cooperative pediatric cancer group in the world and provides care to 90% of children with cancer in the United States.
• Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coaltion
  Mission is to raise awareness and mobilize the entire community to prevent the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, primarily by our youth.
• Birmingham Youth Assistance
  Mission is the prevention and reduction of juvenile delinquency, child abuse and child neglect, by providing positive alternatives to children and families who live within the boundaries of the Birmingham School District.
• Bloomfield SCAMP
  A 5-week summer program that seeks to provide an exciting and therapeutic summer program for individuals with disablitites ages 3-26 in the Metro Detroit area.
• Bridges4Kids
  Building partnerships between families, schools and communities.
• Camp Forget-Me-Not
  A 2 day camp for children in grades 1-7 who have experienced the death of a loved one.
• ChildHelp.Org
  A leading national non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect.
• Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan
  A statewide organization that provides information, financial assistance and emotional support to Michigan families affected by leukemia, lymphoma and related blood disorders
• Children's Special Health Care Services (MDCH)
  Resources and general information.
• Common Ground
  Provides lifeline for individuals and families in crisis, victims of crime, persons with mental illness, people trying to cope with critical situations and runaway and homeless youths.
• Como Pediatric Communication Center
  Provides info to help children with speech, language and sensory disorders and offers speech and language therapy as well as occupational therapy in a family centered environment.
• Detroit Institute for Children
  Care for children with disabilities.
• Family Support Network of Michigan
  For families who have children with special health needs.
  Mary J. Marin, Executive Director
  3056 W. Grand Blvd., Suite 3-350
  Detroit, MI 48202-6003
  Telephone: 313-456-4381
  Fax: 313-256-2605
  Email: marinm@michigan.gov
• FAR Conservatory
  Promotes understanding and provides education for children and adults with special needs through therapeutic opportunities in the arts, recreation and leisure that enrich its students, their families and the greater community.
• Judson Center
  A leader in providing dynamic, innovative and effective solutions to the challenges facing children and families, and adults with developmental disabilities across ten counties in Michigan.
• Just For Kids Foundation
  A non-profit foundation dedicated to bringing smiles to children as they confront their medical challenges. We fulfill wishes which can vary from the security of a support group to vacations for the while family. Our goal is to bring moments of joy by fulfilling the wishes of some very deserving children.
• Lighthouse of Oakland County
  Provides inspiration and support for people in need as they move from crisis to self-sufficiency.
• Michigan Alliance for Families
  Provides information, support and education to families of children and adults with disabilities.
• Michigan Head Start Association
  To promote equal opportunities for all Head Start children, families and programs to succeed.
• Michigan Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (MiPSAC)
  A nonprofit organization focused on meeting the needs of professionals engaged in all aspects of services for maltreated children and their families.  Also see their Child Abuse and Neglect Resources.
• The Miracle League of Michigan
  A charitable organization that provides children with mental and/or physical challenges an opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league. There is something about playing the game of baseball that lights up youngsters’ eyes, but for children facing physical and mental challenges, that opportunity can often be a difficult first step. The Miracle League gives these children the opportunity to get out in the sunshine, and enjoy playing the game of baseball in its purest form.
• Vista Maria
  Ending the dibilitating cycle of poverty, abuse and neglect begins with helping children achieve academically, providing access to daily living resources and an avenue to develop positive personal relationships.
• YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit
  Purpose is to build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities.