Nick Lyon

DHHS Director at DHHS / DHHS

200

Emails

Jul 2015–Feb 2016

Archive range

200 emails found.

FWICC Subcommittee Presentations on Friday

FWICC Subcommittee Chairs, The following subcommittees will present their priorties list at the meeting on Friday: Health and Education — Chaired by Lyon Water Quality - Chaired by Creagh Water Infrastructure Integrity - Chaired by Creagh The remaining 4 subcommittees will present next week, Feb. 19. This week we aiso will have a special presentation by representatives from the Netherlands regarding their experience in replacing lead lines in Amsterdam and how they can assist with the Flint infrastructure and drinking water issues. They are particularly interested in relaying how they built trust within the community as they replaced the lines. The final agenda will be sent later today. Please let me know if you have any questions. Best, Harvey xxxEND_PAGE:treasury01_b39_6977_7316_038 Dempkowski, Angela (T reasury)

FW: Numbered Letter L 15-73

To
Mark Cook
Mark — Here’s the 1 Letter we sent last week to Medicaid providers. The approach we discussed would be beneficial to those you cover in Hint. We have stepped up our testing, outreach, and education efforts with the local public health denartment in a very significant way since Ht became apparent that there was an increase in children testing above the 5 micrograrns level. As we discussed we have aisa begun doing home blood lead investigations with the supplemental funding approved late last year. i think a critical component going forward will be care coordination with children (and adults} who test above the threshold, including nutrition counseling. Molina had indicated they are working with other providers sa if you haven't heard fram them, you might want to reach out. Thanks for your efforts. Nick

RE: State of the State update

OUTCOMES FOR FAMILIES-SOS2016 (002).docx Mike—Tirn and i have worked to come up with some additional information for you on our topics. Attached you will fire: 1. Tlocurnent titled “Timeline 12 29 15” that will give you the timeline of the Flint Water situation frarn MDHHS. 2. Document titled "MDHHS ISD Overview” that will give you additional Integrated Service Delivery detail from itern Bin your oudine. 3. Document titled “Opportunitias for improved Outcomes for Farnilies” that will give you additional information for Rarns A.d and A.3 We stil need to work a bit more on item A.2. from the outline so we will see what we can get te you after the first of the year. Please let us know if this is helpful and what additional information you may need, Thanks--g

Governor's statement

Hi Nick and Dan, Senior staff in the Governor’s office has been crafting a communications plan for the next couple weeks concerning the Flint water crisis, and | wanted to keep you in the loop. We’re putting out our summary to media about the OAG’s letter, released today. Gov. Snyder has set up a meeting with Flint Mayor Karen Weaver for next week. And we’re releasing this statement (which still may go through a few more tweaks). It may go out tomorrow, possibly Wednesday: “I’ve been briefed on the recent meeting of the task force studying the Flint water situation and I’ve read the report from the Office of the Auditor General on the processes used by DEQ to monitor Flint water. “The bi-partisan task force is working tirelessly to interview Flint, Genesee County, state and federal officials to complete its independent analysis. They are reviewing hundreds of documents at all levels of government and from the public health science community. “I'd like to thank the task force for keeping me apprised of their continuing investigation. As they uncover more facts, it’s clear to me we can do better. Their report may take another month or so, but if we need to make changes more swiftly, | plan to take immediate action. “No matter what the testing requirements were, they were not enough to prevent this crisis. “When it comes to matters of health and quality of life, we’re committed to doing everything we can to protect the well- being of our citizens. “| understand there can be disagreements within the scientific community. That is why | have told my directors at MDEQ and DHHS to invite every external scientist who has worked on the Flint water issue to the state laboratory facilities to work as partners with us. Together, we should be able to affirm that we’re using the very best testing protocols to ensure Flint residents have safe drinking water and that we’re doing proper monitoring and remediation of blood levels and other health impacts over the long term. “These are only initial steps in our corrective actions. We fully expect to take more actions following the recommendations of our independent task force.” “| want the Flint community and all citizens of Michigan to know how very sorry | am that this has happened. “But | know an apology isn’t enough. We've already allocated $10 million to test the water, distribute water filters, and help in other ways. On Thursday, | called Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, and we’re going to sit down in the next week to discuss other ways the state can offer assistance. “| want to assure residents there that we are working hard to resolve this crisis.” Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. - Meegan Meegan Holland Director of Communications for Gov. Rick Snyder Office: 517-335-6397 Mobile Twitter: @meholland xxxEND_PAGE:deq19_b01_0001_0036_30

RE: Comments on SoS

Dan, Thanks for putting this draft together. | agree with Rich's edits, and the attached document has my recommendations. Also, | suggest we add the following departments to comment on this document as the issue in Flint now goes beyond water quality: Treasury, MSP and Dept. of Education. I've taken the liberty to solicit comments from the added directors through this reply. Best, Harvey ~——Original Message-----

Comments on SoS

Dan: l added Jarrod and Meegan since we were engaged with Harvey and with Governor Thursday morning last week. | may be advocating a higher degree of "aggression" than others deem proper and | will defer to Jarrod after having had my say. My key points on the attached (with suggested language and which have been highlighted) are: 1). Apologize. it happened on our watch and it shouldn't have happened, no matter what the law says. 2). Invite those who were the biggest burrs under the saddle to come work with us. In fact, we should be articulating how they have already been invited to our labs to collaborate on the findings and conclusions. 3). Start framing the infrastructure problem. We have huge problems throughout the state with aged piping and plumbing. Ignoring it will be at the peril of future generations. We should put a number out there on what it is going to take to fix it or conclude it is safe for generations to come. Thanks for taking the lead. Regards, xxxEND_PAGE:treasury01_b26_3730_4111_204 Rich xxxEND_PAGE:treasury01_b26_3730_4111_205 J have put in []... Draft -Not for Distribution 12/28/15 TAKING ACTION ON FLINT WATER (would start off with an apology..."Among the things our citizens have a right to expect from their government Is clean, safe water. In Flint's case, government failed them on many levels. As the Chief Executive of the state, | apologize for these failures and am absolutely committed to making things right. | would ask that all of our leaders at the local, state and federal level, work with me to solve the immediate problems and put in place long term measures to manitor and address the consequences from exposure. | also want to thank Dr. Mona Attisha Hannah and Dr. Mare Edwards for their diligence in making sure | understood the severity of the problem before us.] . Every municipatity in Michigan deserves safe drinking waters Commented [HH4}: The Issue in Flint is the tallure of Government to ensure safe drinking water. The aging infrastructure exacerbated that fallure, and serves as the canary in the coal mine re the need for the legitinture to address water and sewage infrastructure statewhdte. * As Governor, | am committed to addressing the issue. * Lead exposure is a serious issue. * lappreciate those who have brought attention to this issue. © We are committed to safe drinking water and to working in partnership with the city of Flint, Genesee County, and the U.S. EPA. * We must learn from what happened in Flint. In October, | announced a ten point action plan to address lead exposure in Flint. * Today, | am outlining additional actions to make sure the public health is protected in Flint and elsewhere in the State of Michigan. © 1am asking for changes in order to see that the Michigan Drinking Water Program becomes a national leader in public health protection. On October 2, 2015 the Flint Water Action Plan was announced. With the help of the Michigan Legislature and the Mott Foundation, we have taken significant action to address the issue. Actions include: © Switching back to the Great Lakes Water Authority/DWSD water supply (October 16, 2015) ‘Commented (HM2}: [tis impartent to nate that this switch Is temporary until KWA Is online, xxxEND_PAGE:treasury01_b26_3730_4111_206 © Provided water filters to residents of Flint. (DHHS to provide update) [Distribution has been a problem--are we addressing it?] © Testing all Flint schools, preschools and day cares. Summary of results to date.(George to provide) Expanded health exposure testing of individual residences. Summary of results to date. {Nick to provide) © Offer water testing at no cost to Flint residents to assure safe water. Summary of results to date. (George to provide) © Expedite optimizing corroston control in the Flint drinking water system. Summary of date completed. (George to summarize) © Utilize the “Safe Drinking Water Technical Advisory Committee.” To ensure the best technology, practices and science are being utilized; national experts have been assembled to provide technical advice. [Will you include Dr. Mona? Larry Reynolds? Mark Edwards?) Accelerate water system improvement to address replacement of tead service lines. We are working with the city of Flint and our Congressional delegation on a lead service line replacement plan. * Working to expedite the completion of the Karegnondi Water Authority._And to provide the ex e rade the water treatment facility in Flint to ensure that the drinking water from (A is at least th juality as the water from GLWA/DWSD ¢ Expand a lead education program. (DHHS to provide update) * Dr. Eden Wells was named as the Flint Drinking Water Public Health Advisor to ensure safe drinking water. [Flint’s Head of Mott Children’s Hospital, Dr. Larry Reynolds was named to the Flint After Action Task Force]. In addition to the announced Flint Action plan, | am calling for additional actions to be taken. ¢ Recently appointed Harvey Hollins to serve as my administration’s point person to coordinate ongoing activities and partner with the city of Flint. [Harvey will be supported by senior members of my executive team to remove impediments and ensure efficient coordination at all levels.) xxxEND_PAGE:treasury01_b26_3730_4111_207 * Asking the DEQ to develop a statewide drinking water school testing program. * Asking for changes in the Michigan Drinking Water Program In order for it to be recognized as a national leader in public health including: o New administrative leadership. 0 Creation of corrosion control expertise. o Expanded statewide testing. 0 Improved testing protocols. ® The creation of a health fund for children affected by lead exposure. * Calling on the Legislature to work with my administration and stakeholders to develop a Strategic Water Fund to address Michigan’s long term safe water and water quality Infrastructure needs. [This can't get lost. Need more to educate people that our infrastructure is old, that the average city of 50,000 or more likely requires $$$ in remediation. At some point the anti corrosive treatment Is not likely to be sufficient. © | will look to implement additional recommendations of the Flint Water Advisory Task Force, and | appreciate their leadership on this issue. [1 would say more here—the TF was bi-partisan, Independent, and staffed by incredible talent. it has done an incredible Job]. ¢ Ensure transparency for the public regarding actions taken in Flint to resolve this crisis Sent from my iPad

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Updated summary report on Flint blood lead level data

From
Unknown sender
now available Having trouble viewing this email? View ii as e Web page. Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 23, 2015 CONTACT: Angela Minicuci, 517-241-2112 Updated summary report on Flint blood lead level data now available LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services today issued its bi- weekly summary report on lead testing in Flint. Preliminary data indicate that 43 of 2,182 adults and children tested had elevated blood lead levels since Oct. 1. “In partnership with the Genesee County Health Department, we are working to engage and provide resources to residents to reduce all potential exposures to lead,” said Dr. Eden Wells, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Case management and home lead analysis are available for families in which an elevated blood lead level has been detected.” The first MDHHS summary report on blood lead levels in Flint was issued Dec. 3, 2015. Updated reports are posted on a bi-weekly basis on the www. michigan. goviflintwater website. After refining our methods to identify age, some people are now counted in a different age group than on previous reports. The total counts for each year have not changed. The report includes both capillary and venous blood tests, and people who have had multiple tests are counted only once. Tests and their results cover the time since the state action plan was put in place on Oct. 2, and capture the number of elevated blood lead levels greater than 5 micrograms xxxEND_PAGE:dhhs03_b0661_2251_2252_1 002252 per deciliter. MDHHS, together with the Genesee County Health Department (GCHD), is working with local partners to distribute educational information around lead testing and prevention. Supplemental state dollars are funding GCHD nurses to work with families when an elevated blood lead level is detected. Families with an elevated blood lead level can also choose to have a nurse coordinate an environmental health investigation in their home to help identify lead exposures, which could be lead from paint, soil, plumbing, and other sources. Families with questions about their blood lead levels or test results are also encouraged to contact their primary care physician or local health department. In addition to mandated testing at ages one and two for the Medicaid population, MDHHS is coordinating with its Medicaid health plans and provider communities to recommend blood lead testing for any child younger than six years of age in Flint who has not previously been tested. The state, in coordination with GCHD, developed and issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) notification for local providers to help ensure consistent messaging and protocols among primary care providers. Free water filters and replacement cartridges are available to Flint residents. For a full list of locations and hours of distribution, or to view the full blood lead level report, visit wwwmichigan govfintwaier. The summary will be updated as more data becomes available. To help residents properly install water filters, and to demonstrate how to replace the original when it expires, MDHHS has created an instructional video on its YouTube channe!. For this and other updates, visit waww.michiqan govifliniwater. #HH# Flint Blood Testing Report 23Deci$ pdf ¢ FintEBL Data Press Release 122315. pdf Become a faster parent through Michigan Department of Heath & Human Services foster care program. uesilons? Contact Us an Geotof Heath & Human Services 235 5. Grand Ave YY: Lansing. ME xxxEND_PAGE:dhhs03_b0661_2251_2252_2

State of the State update

Nick, Geralyn provided some great info to help me put together the Quality of Life section of the governor's state of the state address (pasted below). xxxEND_PAGE:dhhs03_b0309_1145_1146_1 001146 The governor is generally happy with how it's laid out, but he says it needs additional detail and some further work / development. He also noted that the integrated service delivery section will depend on budget issues and hopes that makes the cut, but I think he will want additional detail there, as well. (Detail in this case means more info in the outline, but also supporting briefs and other documents on the proposals). This is well outside of my wheelhouse, so I'm hoping you can provide some assistance on this. I'm sending the governor another update on the state of the state outline at the end of the day tomorrow, then will be providing him additional materials next week (and after the New Year, of course). I'm available to talk tomorrow if you want to catch up then. Thanks, Mike A. River of Opportunity (poverty): Lift people out of poverty by putting them on a self-sustainable pathway to success. 1. MDHHS and TIA to increase collaboration with Michigan Works! agencies to help people on assistance programs reach self-sufficiency through education, training, and employment opportunities. 2. Place success coaches in Michigan Works! agencies to aid clients in assistance programs with finding job training and employment opportunities. Clients will work on specific measurable employment goals with their success coaches. 3. MDHHS and TIA will also be focused on a two-generation approach to poverty that would include the whole family. If there are youth aged 14-24 in the home, we will connect them with the Workforce Investment Opportunity Act youth programs. a) Striving for the outcomes of increased employment, increased wages, long term employment and cases closing because of earned income. b) Allow people ages 20-26 to continue post-secondary education and/or skilled trades training. c) Develop training programs that are aligned with in demand occupations by local areas. This would include looking at labor market demands and developing a plan of action to match the skills training to the employers. B. River of Opportunity -- The Next Step 1. Smarter, better service (Integrated Service Delivery) a) Move to well-rounded, localized and targeted support, instead of manual processes and fragmented services. b) One virtual location for consistent customer service: Leverage technology for better service; simplify processes, provide a platform for engagement with modern interfaces and functionality c) Case workers and community service partners will serve as success coaches using a shared information technology platform. xxxEND_PAGE:dhhs03_b0309_1145_1146_2

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