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Hi there,
Oakland County was recently recognized with six Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
I am so pleased that the Health Division was given an award for our Oakland County Harm Reduction Program. In the fall of 2020, the State of Michigan approached Oakland County Health Division to launch the first Harm Reduction program to engage people who use drugs to prevent overdoses and infectious disease transmission, improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of those served, and increase access to substance use treatment and other health care services.
What we have achieved in a short time is outstanding! In 2022, we launched a Harm Reduction clinic in downtown Pontiac. The clinic offers comprehensive services to meet individualized needs. Currently, the program has successfully enrolled more than 487 clients. Approximately 25% of enrolled clients were referred to treatment services. More than 3,054 boxes of Narcan have been distributed free of charge to clients. In addition, clients reported 432 lives saved from giving Narcan to a person who was overdosing. Congrats to the many staff and community partners on this major recognition and on making this important work possible!
 A quick reminder as we are in the heart of summer! You may be enjoying your communities’ outdoor activities. But before heading out, make sure to put summer safety first. Read more here in the Oakland County blog.
In good health,
Leigh-Anne Stafford
Director, Health and Human Services
Family Market Days promote local farmers markets
Join us on July 22, from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Oakland County Farmer’s Market or July 26, from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Oak Park Farmers Market for Family Market Days! Oakland County residents with a State of Michigan Bridge/EBT card or who participate in Oakland County's Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program will receive a $5 coupon to purchase produce from local farmers on Family Market Days. Coupons are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and must be used during the event. No registration is necessary.
 
Income guidelines for WIC increased
Michigan’s income guidelines for the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program have increased and additional families may now qualify for the program. This important program provides valuable nutritional education and healthy foods to individuals who are: pregnant or have had a baby within the past six months; are currently breastfeeding; or are the parent or guardian of a child up to age 5.
For example, a family of four may qualify for WIC with an annual income of up to $55,500, which is an 8.1% increase from last year. Updated income guidelines by family size are as follows:
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Family Size*
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Annual Income
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Weekly Income
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2
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$36,482
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$702
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3
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$45,991
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$885
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4
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$55,500
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$1,068
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5
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$65,009
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$1,251
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6
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$74,518
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$1,434
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Families who receive Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families already meet the income qualifications for WIC.
If you or someone you know might qualify for WIC, call the Oakland County Health Division WIC office at 248-858-1272.
Climate change and its impact on your health
Climate change and global warming are altering global temperature and weather patterns. Most recently, Oakland County residents felt these effects from Canadian wildfires and their impact on air quality. Changing rain patterns causing drought in areas accustomed to more rain, combined with higher-than-normal temperatures, can lead to extreme natural disasters like these wildfires. The fires impacted air quality, making it difficult to breath and be active outside safely, especially for older adults, children, and people with asthma and other respiratory diseases.
Natural disasters and climate change has a greater impact on some people, including people with chronic health conditions and disabilities, children, older adults, and communities of color. Climate-vulnerable communities need equitable solutions or inequities will continue to grow. It is important to work with local groups to help mitigate the effects of climate change and weather. Read Oakland County’s Sustainability Plan and the efforts the County is undertaking to reduce its environmental impact.
Quick survey aims to connect better internet in tri-county area
From online schooling to telehealth appointments to working from home, the Internet is necessary for day-to-day lives. In some areas of Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties, high-speed internet is unavailable, slow or unaffordable, making completing everyday tasks difficult.
By taking the 5-minute Michigan Moonshot survey and broadband speed test, you can help create an accurate map of Internet connectivity in the tri-county area. The more accurate the map, the better chances the state, county and communities will have at getting the funding needed to build and improve broadband availability, affordability and accessibility for residents in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties.
To identify gaps in internet service and affordability issues, the three counties have partnered with Merit Network, a Michigan-based nonprofit, to develop a survey to reach all properties in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties.
To learn more and take the survey, visit www.michiganmoonshot.org/tri-county-broadband. Residents can take the survey in one of three ways:
More Health Division info
Check out our webpage page for information about our services and various health topics. You can also call our Nurse on Call hotline at 1-800-848-5533 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.).
Oakgov.com/health is the best place to receive the latest information. Add, update, or opt out of Health Division email or text communications by clicking here.
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