news updates - Macomb Family Services

NEWS UPDATES
SPRING 2014
MACOMB FAMILY SERVICES
Behavioral Health
Behavioral Health has been busy as usual. We have been focusing on a
couple of recent program specialties. The Clinton Township Office has a
fairly large program dedicated to addressing Domestic Violence and Anger.
We call our program Alternatives to Domestic Aggression. Referrals are
received from local district courts, probation officers and Macomb County
DHS. Group therapy occurs in the early evening all week long. We have
break out groups for males, females and a separate group for clients
dealing with inappropriate anger. Individual therapeutic services are also
available.
Some therapists have attended specialized training provided by a
partnership between Michigan State University and Star Behavioral
Training to learn effective ways to support post deployment veterans and
their families. MFS offers specialized services to veterans and their
families, in treating issues like Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and couples therapy. Services are
available for individuals and couples therapy. These services are in high
demand. We are pleased to have skilled, talented therapists that offer
cutting edge programming.
“The achievements of
an organization are the
results of the combined
effort of each
individual.”
Vince Lombardi
In This Issue
 Behavioral Health
 Early Learning Community
 Substance Abuse Prevention
MOVING ! April 18, 2014
 Residential Program News
Our Sterling Heights Office will be moving to:
 Senior Advocate Program
43928 Mound Road, Ste 100 Sterling Heights, MI 48314.
 Family Service Alliance
Our office will be located on Mound (east side) between Hall
Rd. and 19 Mile. There are two buildings that look the
same, we are in the south building.
Administrative staff in Sterling Heights
Providing Hope...Changing Lives
Early Learning Community
The Early Learning Community (ELC) is pleased to report that it continues to offer several free services for
families with young children, teachers, foster parents, and home childcare providers and are geared
toward kindergarten readiness.
Social Emotional Consultation
Motor skill development and sensory play … she just thinks
In 2012, the ELC began providing socialemotional consultation to families and childcare
providers with children birth through
kindergarten who are experiencing behavioral,
social, or emotional struggles. Consultants use
researched based methods to support families
and teachers in their homes or child care
centers.
Play & Learn
The ELC has partnered with several community schools and libraries to offer Play & Learn classes
throughout the community. Play & Learn is a fun and interactive experience to enhance children’s gross
motor, fine motor, and social skill development. Parents and children have fun singing songs, participating in
story time, and doing a wide range of arts & crafts. A grandfather stated that since coming to the group he
has noticed that his 3-year old granddaughter is more focused on activities and is not just running from place
to place. Her attention span is getting longer.
Child Development
Child Development workshops are open to parents, foster parents,
childcare providers, and teachers; anyone dedicated to learning new ideas
and continuing growth in their knowledge of best practices for children.
Workshops include a range of topics, Including Kitchen Art Fun, Backyard
Science, Learning through Play, Reading to Preschoolers, and many
more! Training hours meet licensing requirements for childcare providers.
Substance Abuse Prevention & Counseling
Macomb Family Services offers substance abuse counseling at all of
our four outpatient locations. Three of our offices, Romeo, Richmond
and Clinton Township, are able to offer outpatient treatment services for
uninsured Macomb County residents who have low or no income.
Funding from the Macomb County Office of Substance Abuse
(MCOSA) also provides support for students in many Macomb County
middle and high schools who may be at a high risk for substance
use. We have several clinical therapists who go into the schools and
meet with the students for up to six times to provide education
and help them learn healthy coping skills.
The Substance Abuse Prevention Program offers services to
communities, schools, courts, and parents that encourage healthy
decision making as it relates to substance abuse issues.
Budding artist
Marijuana Fast Facts

One in six teens become
addicted to Marijuana (NIDA)

Marijuana can cause short term
memory loss and trouble with
problem solving, which can last
days or weeks (www.foothill.edu)

A teen that uses Marijuana is
more likely to report failing
grades (SAMHSA)
Family Service Alliance for Southeastern
Michigan
The Family Service Alliance for Southeastern Michigan was formed in
2007 with a vision to create a regional response to address the
behavioral health and child development challenges confronting
families in the tri-county area. Macomb Family Services is one of
three agencies that make up the Alliance. Oakland Family Services
and Starfish Family Services are also contributing partners.
Alliance Partners are evaluating clients using an assessment tool that
captures client vulnerability and stability. Based on measurable
outcomes provided from this assessment, potential gaps in services
or resources will be identified that are needed for clients to move from
crisis towards self-sufficiency. Macomb Family Services has
developed working relationships with Michigan Works! and Hope
Center in an effort to provide further assistance and advocacy for our
clients.
Fast Facts
Residential


Behavioral Health



97% reported that they would
recommend MFS to a friend or
family member.
Veterans and their families
have access to trained
therapists
CARF Accredited
Early Learning

Be Part of the Change
To participate in building a high performing safety net delivering the
right services to the right people and creates value for the broader
community contact Shaun Taft, System of Care Project Director at
Serves 67 Consumers
6 Available rooms for new
consumers

staft@ofsfamily.org.
Over 80 children in Macomb
County have benefitted from
behavior consultation.
96% of participants reported
increased knowledge in the
importance of play to growth
and development.
Senior Advocacy
Residential Program News
Our last residential home is in the final stages of a new lease
through the county. Part of this process includes an inspection by
both the state and county housing department. We received
numerous compliments regarding how nice the home looked and
what a great job MFS and our maintenance person has done with
maintaining the home. The residential staff at Macomb Family
Services works hard at keeping our homes maintained and
comfortable.
Going forward the county and MORC (our contract agency), will be
looking at each provider of residential services to access how they
keep up the maintenance and appearance of the homes as well as
completion of maintenance requests. This will impact which
agencies receive referrals for placements. MFS and its employees
strive to maintain comfortable safe homes for our consumers.
CARF Accreditation
In December, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation
Facilities completed their review of our agency and we are pleased
to announce that we were granted a 3 year accreditation effective
until 2017.

Serves over 75 seniors a year.
Employment
Interested in joining the team?
The residential program is looking
for direct care workers. To work
with adults with developmental
disabilities. Contact Alisia Fritch at
(586) 226-3440 x258 Monday
through Friday from 8:00am to
4:00pm. Starting pay is $8.40/hour,
with an increase to $8.75/hour once
training is completed. After one
year of employment, you will be
eligible for an increase up to $9.00
an hour, and benefits are included
and there is room for advancement.
Macomb Family Services is a great
place to work and we are always
happy to have someone join the
Macomb Family services family.
Being There: The
Senior Advocate
Program
“One person caring about
another represents life’s
greatest value.”
“Lucy” was one of the many seniors
enrolled in our Senior Advocate
Program. She was with our
program for the past 4 years. Her
only living relative was a son, who
lives in Egypt. Lucy recently passed
away after a long struggle with
dementia and physical frailty. While
she was alive, Macomb Family
Services acted as her surrogate
family. Through friendly visits,
-Jim Rohn
We need your help!
Programs rely on the
generous support of our
community. To donate:
Macomb Family Services
36975 Utica Rd, Suite 100
Clinton Township, MI
48036
(586) 226-3440 x248
November 29, 1922-February 23, 2014
personal shopping, and ensuring all medical benefits were maintained, MFS
helped add quality to her last years that would not have been possible
without our services. When she died her son was grateful to us for taking
care of the mother he loved dearly, but was not able to care for. Pictures of
her final interment were sent to him as a lasting memory, along with the few
personal items she still possessed. The good we do may not be seen by all,
but it is necessary to do for the good of all. Don’t forget our seniors!
Thank You to Our Generous Supporters!
ABC Warehouse
Henry Ford Music Boosters
Little Caesars
Starbucks
AMC
Joe Guerra
Lori Brown
Subway
Applebees
John & Babette Biernat
Lori Woodard
Tim Horton's
April Bagley
John Vesper
Lakeside Auto
UNUM
Bar Louies
Impact Entertainment
Linda Gifford
Walmart
Carol Mille
Kirsten Gramzow
Lisa Eschbach
Center Line Early Childhood Center
Cheryl Cameron
Kitty Deluxe Boutique
Peggy Kenard
Childtime Learning Center
Dollar Tree
Academy 4 Lil’ Angels
Pizza Hut
Goodby, Silverstein & Partners
Engine House
Armada Elementary
Marios Meats
Kennedy Early Childhood Center
Fairway Drugs
Coldstone Creamery
Mary Kay
MacDonald Early Childhood Center
Graubner Library
Crescentwood Elementary
McDonalds
Grace Sterling Little People Day Care
Gregg Heeres
Duncan Elementary
Meijer
Grosse Pointe Fraternal Order of Police #102
Home Depot
Forest Park Elementary
Olive Garden
Macomb County Community Mental Health
Hutchison FTS
Mound Park Elementary
Red Robin
Macomb County Office of Substance Abuse
Karl Seidl
Night Owl Cleaning Service
REMAX
Macomb County Prosecutor Office
Iroquois Industries
Kroger Community Rewards
Ruby Tuesdays
Macomb Great Start Collaborative
Jerry Caulkins
Rainbow Child Care Center
RX Specialties
Macomb Intermediate School District
Jets Pizza
Romeo Family Dining
Shepherds Ford
Macomb Oakland Regional Center
Joe & Linda Lucido
Lakeland Manor
Speedway
United Way of Southeastern Michigan