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The National Association of Counties has recognized the Oakland County Board of Commissioners with a 2020 Achievement Award in the “Children and Youth” category for the Oakland County Better with Breakfast program.
The Board announced its partnership with United Way for Southeastern Michigan and Oakland Schools, the county’s intermediate school district, to implement Michigan’s largest countywide universal school breakfast program in March 2019. Since its launch, Oakland County Better with Breakfast has provided breakfast to all students in Oakland County public schools where more than 40 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Those qualifying school buildings have been supplied with equipment, technical support and food to provide breakfast to every student in participating school buildings.
By providing all students breakfast, the program helps reduce the stigma of accepting the food for those who do qualify and ensure all students are ready to learn. Federal reimbursement dollars for schools have increased as breakfast access has increased. Through Oakland County Better with Breakfast, an additional 2,500 students in 33 school buildings have had access to free school breakfast.
To honor the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women the right to vote, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners recognized August 26 as Women’s Equality Day. The Board unanimously approved a resolution on August 20 to honor the ratification of the 19th Amendment and will place a historical marker honoring local suffragettes on the Oakland County campus.
The resolution was part of the Board’s yearlong celebration to honor the historic anniversary. The plaque will honor the Oakland County Equal Suffrage Association, which was organized at the Oakland County courthouse in Pontiac on May 9, 1912.
In March 2019, the Board established the Celebration of Women’s Suffrage Ad Hoc Committee in honor of the 100thanniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Since then, the committee has partnered with numerous community organizations including Oakland Schools, the Patriot Week Foundation, the League of Women Voters Oakland Area, Oakland University and Oakland Community College. The committee included subject matter experts to ensure all events and initiatives were rewarding for Oakland County residents.
For a complete list of past programs and initiatives, visit http://bit.ly/WomensSuffrageAdHocCommittee.
Oakland County has dedicated a webpage to mental health resources during the pandemic at http://ow.ly/qVoB50zqE6R.
Topics on the webpage include coping with stress and anxiety, tips for health care workers and first responders, living with a mental health condition or substance abuse disorder, and help for mental health providers.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has created a statewide, peer-run warmline for Michiganders living with persistent mental health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The warmline operates seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. at 888-PEER-753 (888-733-7753). It is intended to serve individuals living with persistent mental health challenges including anxiety, depression and trauma.
Oakland County residents in crisis, including those considering suicide, are urged to contact the Disaster Distress Helpline 24/7 at 800-985-5990 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 800-273-8255.
The grant application deadline for Oakland County retail stores, restaurants and personal service businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic has been extended to September 14.
The grants – which range from $2,500 to $10,000 – provide an infusion of capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses or other similar ones that occur in the ordinary course of business. The funds come from Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act money allocated to Oakland County by the federal government. In June, the Board unanimously voted to allocate $32 million to create the recovery grants.
Applications are accepted online at www.oakgov.com/covid/grants, which also describes the program in detail and lists the type of eligible businesses. Eligible companies include:
- Retail trade
- Food and lodging
- Business and personal services
- Entertainment and recreation
- Construction and maintenance services
The funds are intended to support for-profit businesses with 100 or fewer employees that suffered actual or anticipated losses from March 2020 through July 2020 due to the pandemic. More information is available at www.oakgov.com/covid/grants.
At its August 6 meeting, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners approved placing a .35 mills Oakland County Parks and Recreation millage proposal on the November 3, 2020 ballot.
The current millage is set to expire in 2021, and the rate has never been increased. The OCPR Commission, a bipartisan group, voted unanimously to recommend that the Board place the parks and recreation proposal on the November ballot.
OCPR has welcomed residents to parks and programs for 54 years. The park system, which includes 7,000 acres and nearly 80 miles of trails across 13 park properties, is explored by two million visitors of all ages and abilities annually.
If approved, the .35 rate will cost the owner of a home or business valued at $200,000 (taxable value of $100,000) approximately $12 more, for a total of $35/year to maintain the Oakland County Parks and Recreation system. The .35 mills will be used to:
- Allow OCPR to offer free annual vehicle permits to Oakland County residents who are seniors (62 and older), active military, veterans, and residents with permanent disabilities
- Refresh parks system assets to meet current and future needs
- Expand trails throughout Oakland County
- Enhance outreach and support of local recreation programs
- Increase environmental conservation efforts across the 910 square miles of Oakland County to protect important natural habitats
Oakland County, in partnership with Honor Community Health, is offering free drive-through COVID-19 testing to Oakland County residents by appointment only (same day appointments are not available).
Testing has recently been expanded to include children ages 4-17 with symptoms of COVID-19. Parents can schedule an appointment for their symptomatic children through the Oakland County Health Division’s Nurse on Call hotline at 800-848-5533. No doctor’s note or prescription is needed, plus there is no fee. Dates and times are:
- Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1200 N Telegraph Rd., Pontiac
Medical Examiners Facility (Bldg. 28E) Parking Lot
- Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
27725 Greenfield Rd., Southfield
Oakland County Health Division Parking Lot
- Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
45175 W 10 Mile Rd, Novi
Novi Civic Center Parking Lot
Individuals are screened for symptoms, age, and whether or not they are part of a priority testing population, etc. before an appointment is scheduled. The Health Division encourages all residents to monitor their health symptoms carefully, including daily temperature checks, and to stay home when feeling mildly sick, or if feeling the onset of symptoms. Adults, including parents of those ages 4-17, should call Oakland County’s “Nurse on Call” at 1-800-848-5533 to schedule an appointment.
Some laboratories are experiencing a delay (one week or longer) in delivering test results. For more information, visit www.oakgov.com/covid.
Residents can still fill out the 2020 Census if they have not done so yet.
The Census is an opportunity to be counted and shape the future of Oakland County, and our community benefits the most when the census counts everyone.
To participate, visit www.2020census.gov, call 844-330-2020, or call the number associated with your preferred language.
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