MDHHS shares MISEP update demonstrating strong progress and improvements made in keeping kids safe

Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) appeared before Judge Nancy G. Edmunds of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan to provide an update on improvements the department continues to make to Michigan's child welfare system, as part of the Modified Implementation, Sustainability and Exit Plan (MISEP).

"Protecting children and supporting families remains our most critical responsibility," said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. "Keeping Michigan's children safe requires prevention, coordination and care, and we have remained deeply committed to ensuring children in our care remain safe and achieve positive outcomes."

During the court conference, Judge Edmunds determined that MDHHS has met or exceeded required performance standards in six of the areas monitored for compliance during the reporting period of July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, moving these areas closer to the removal of court oversight. MDHHS was within 10% of meeting or exceeding the standard in three additional areas. During the hearing, Judge Edmunds praised MDHHS for doing a "fantastic job" in many of the areas monitored.

Key areas of progress include:

• Foster Home Array - MDHHS demonstrated good faith efforts to maintain a sufficient array of homes to meet the needs of the foster care population. MDHHS performance moves this commitment into Structures and Policies where it will no longer be actively monitored.
• Provision of Services - MDHHS met the 83% performance standard for ensuring services identified in the service plan were made available in a timely and appropriate manner to the child and family and monitored to ensure the services achieved the intended effect.
• Visits Between Siblings - 87.8% of children who have siblings in custody had at least monthly visits with their siblings who are placed elsewhere in foster care, exceeding the performance standard of 85%.
• Medical and Mental Health Examinations - 84.6% of children had an initial medical and mental health examination within 30 days of the child's entry into foster care, meeting the 85% performance standard.

The commitments that have been dismissed from court oversight are:

• Assessments and Service Plans - MDHHS agreed to develop a comprehensive written assessment of a family's strengths and needs, designed to inform decision-making about services and permanency planning. 89.5% of cases were rated as having acceptable assessments and service plans, exceeding the performance standard of 83% for this commitment.
• Child Case File, Health/Dental Needs - 100% of cases reviewed showed the case plan addressed the issue of health and dental care needs, exceeding the 90% performance standard.

Tim Click, interim senior deputy director of the MDHHS Children's Services Administration, addressed the department's continued efforts to find innovative ways to serve and improve outcomes for children and families in Michigan.

"MDHHS is reinforcing our statewide approach that prioritizes child abuse and neglect prevention and improves access to community-based interventions by connecting families with resources and supports that promote safety and stability," said Click. "Through these prevention services, we are helping keep children safe and families supported across the state."

Federal court monitors have been tracking progress since a 2008 settlement agreement following a 2006 lawsuit filed against the former Michigan Department of Human Services by Children's Rights. In 2019, the court approved the Michigan Implementation, Sustainability and Exit Plan.

In January 2024, many requirements in the settlement agreement were eliminated with a stipulated order signed by Judge Edmunds because of the significant and sustained progress made by MDHHS in numerous areas.

To view the latest MISEP report, visit https://www.michigan.gov/ChildWelfareAgreement