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MEMO #021-22
Reimbursement for School Board Member Training
Public Act 87 of 2021 (PA 87), Article 3, Part 2, Sections 201 and 1100, authorizes the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to reimburse local school districts for school board member training intended to develop and enhance board member knowledge of school operations and education law. Local districts may be reimbursed up to $100 per course for individual board members receiving such training.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Board_Training_Reimbursement_750028_7.pdf
MEMO #022-22
Section 11t Equalization Application Availability
The section 11t application is available in the Michigan Electronic Grants System Plus (MEGS+). On July 13, 2021, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law Public Act (PA) 48 of 2021. This law contains, under section 11t (MCL 388.1611t), appropriation for equalization payments from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) III discretionary federal funds.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Section_11t_Equalization_750050_7.pdf
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
1. MDE Website Update
Beginning at 5 p.m. tomorrow, March 18, 2022, the Michigan Department of Education will be launching a new website as part of a multi-year statewide project that modernizes Michigan’s state government websites (Michigan.gov). Among the many updates, the MDE webpage (www.michigan.gov/mde) will have a new easy-to-navigate and search look and feel! The content from the previous website will be migrated over to the new website. Click on the “Services” dropdown menu at the top of the page to access MDE content by program. Visit Michigan.gov/WebsiteUpdate for more detail.
2. Survey Open for Michigan Educators
Michigan’s Public Act 87 of 2021 requires the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to administer a survey that allows teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators to provide feedback to the department. As a part of this, MDE must provide an opportunity for the educator to share insight on the department’s effectiveness in achieving goals within Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan.
The survey collecting feedback from Michigan educators is now open and can be found here. Please take the time to complete the survey and provide the department with your thoughts. The survey will remain open until April 15, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
3. MDHHS Updates Its School Test Ordering Process & Reporting Requirements
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Testing Collection and Coordination Team would like to provide updates regarding school testing. There will be a more streamlined approach to ordering testing supplies, along with the expectation that your district remains at or above 80% utilization rate (identified through reporting) to ensure MDHHS can fulfill your requested testing order in full.
4. New Zoom Link For Input Session with MDHHS
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) COVID-19 Testing Collection and Coordination (TCC) team has revised its invitation to school districts to receive district-level input into strategies to increase value to district COVID-19 related programs. This includes but is not limited to increasing Health Resource Advocates (HRAs), testing programs, communication, and support through the MI Backpack OTC program. District input and participation are critical to making this partnership a success. To further support districts, MDHHS would like to meet with you to discuss your ideas for improvements to provide the best possible solutions during the next phase of the pandemic.
5. Reminder: MDE Accelerated Learning Webinar Series
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the MiMTSS Technical Assistance Center are pleased to announce the continuation of the accelerated learning webinar series. Presenters for these webinars come from across Michigan. These webinars build upon the series of informational guides developed by MDE, with assistance from Michigan educators, and the summer and fall webinar series. More information on the series can be found through the online flyer.
Participants will need to register one time for the entire webinar series and may choose which webinar(s) to attend. A single link for all webinars will be provided via email from info@mimtss.org at a later date. SCECHs will be available for each session pending approval. Online registration is currently available through this link.
6. Reminder: Notice of Public Comment Requested
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) requests public comment on the proposed Michigan Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (aka Early On®) federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2022 application. The period of public participation extends to April 19, 2022, with a window of public comment being accepted only March 11 through 5 p.m., April 11, 2022. Click on the following link for the FFY 2022 application and public comment instructions: Part C Notice of Public Comment. All comments will be reviewed and considered.
7. Farm to School Video
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has developed and launched a series of seven videos for all school food service staff, agricultural educators, school food producers, and anyone interested in learning about bringing fresh local foods to schools and early childcare centers. The video series features topics including procurement, sourcing local, school gardens, agricultural education, food safety, and meal quality. Video Series on Farm to School Topics
8. MDHHS Funds Available to Support Student Mental Health Service
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is accepting requests for proposals (RFPs) for supporting comprehensive mental health services to children and adolescents in a school-based location by a licensed mental health professional. This RFP is open to public and non-profit entities including school districts and federally recognized tribes to provide mental health care to the school age population. For more information, please see Expanding, Enhancing Emotional Health program NR.pdf.
STAY INFORMED:
Follow MDE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michdepted
Follow MDE on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mieducation
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