Spartan Newsroom (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/author/morganwomack/page/2/)
I'm a journalism student at Michigan State University with a concentration in writing, reporting and editing. I am working toward a Spanish minor and plan to graduate in 2024. Outside of the Spartan Newsroom, you can check out my articles at The State News where I work as the administration reporter.
MENTAL HEALTH: The Mental Health Association in Michigan wants the Legislature’s new Democratic majority to act on mental health equality, substance abuse and related issues. One positive sign, its president says, is the establishment of a new House subcommittee on behavioral health chaired by a Pittsfield Township lawmaker who is a clinical psychologist. By Morgan Womack. FOR DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.
MSU nursing junior Hannah Saunders works as a resident care aid for Brio Living Services in Chelsea, Michigan. With the recent staffing shortages for direct care workers, Saunders and her coworkers have to work more.
“We are probably the most short-staffed we have ever been,” Saunders said. “That can be quite a bit overwhelming but we just try to reassure (the residents) that we’re doing the best that we can with the numbers that we have and we just have to take our time and get to everybody when we can.”
During a normal, fully staffed time Saunders would have eight to 12 residents on her caseload. Now she can have up to 20 residents to take care of.
“We just get double the workload,” Saunders said. “It’s very frustrating just because we know that (the residents) are not getting the care that they deserve and that they pay for.”
Saunders said Brio Living Services has made many attempts to attract new employees such as offering sign-on bonuses, commitment bonuses and more money to work the second shift.
Community member Maddy Warren leaves the zoo after its 5 p.m. closing on March 31. Potter Park Zoo will be hosting Party for the Planet from noon to 4 p.m. April 23 to celebrate Earth Day. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums encourages accredited zoos across the country to host events. More than 120 zoos and aquariums are participating. Potter Park Zoo invited community organizations related to conservation to share about their organizations.
The Ingham County Sheriff’s Department is looking to add a part-time communication and media assistant. The position will help ease the demand for Freedom of Information Act requests. Undersheriff Andrew Bouck proposed the new position to the Ingham County Board of Commissioners. The salary range is $20,410 to $24,339. He said it will be an important addition to provide assistance with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and engage with the community.
The commissioners approved the position March 22.
Photo courtesy of Ingham County Parks Director Tim Morgan
Lake Lansing Park North might see improvements to its more than 30-year-old playground in the coming two years.
Ingham County Parks Director Tim Morgan submitted an authorization to apply for a grant to the Ingham County Human Services Committee on Feb. 28. This grant, as part of the Parks Department 5-Year Master Plan, would go toward playground improvements at Lake Lansing Park North. A public meeting was held Feb. 14 for citizens to provide input for the proposed design.
Public commenters attended the Ingham County Board of Commissioners meeting Feb. 8 to win support for their nonprofit organization, Lifeboat Addiction Recovery Services.
Team coordinator Noah Powell urged commissioners to consider a partnership with Lifeboat to combat substance use in the county. “The ship is sinking,” Noah Powell told the board. “Lifeboat Addiction Recovery Services is looking to change that, but we need to do more.”
Community member Christian Powell told the board about his hopes for funding with the proposed partnership. “What ends up happening is that people that are actually doing the work at our industries and that are helping these people day in and day out, seeing thousands of people a year, end up not getting the services that they need,” Christian Powell said.
hearing the snow emergency declaration on Feb. 1. When forecasts like these come to the city of Lansing, city drivers can work up to 16-hour shifts with only eight hours off in between.