State of Health

Holly Campbell, deputy director of the Health Department of Northwest Michigan, and Dr. Pennie Foster-Fishman, project leader for the Northwest Michigan Community Health Innovation Region Behavioral Health Initiative.

Northern Michigan health department spearheads effort to expand behavioral health workforce

The Health Department of Northwest Michigan's cross-sector collaboration involves a wide range of stakeholders who are pitching ideas and taking action on recruiting and retaining behavioral health care professionals across the region — and beyond.

Dr. Kelsey Sala-Hamrick is the Michigan Public Health Institute's MI ACE project director.
200-partner collaborative raises awareness about impact of adverse childhood experiences in Michigan

Partners in the Michigan ACE Initiative are working to raise awareness of the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), prevent ACEs, and foster resilience among children who have experienced them. 

MiGen staff and community in MiGen's office space/Senior Center at Affirmations.
Michigan’s first LGBTQ+ senior center is now open in Ferndale – and another one is coming to Detroit

The Senior Center at Affirmations expands programs and services for LGBTQ+ seniors in an accessible, welcoming environment.

Social worker Nicole Klomp serves as a reserve member of the Newaygo Police Department.
Grand Rapids-based Arbor Circle partners social work with police work in Newaygo

Here's a look at three ways Michigan providers are offering new ways to help people experiencing a mental health crisis.

Dr. Tiffany Abrego, executive director of behavioral health at the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Michigan and associate professor of psychology at Wayne State University, and Jeremiah Green, whose idea led to the Mentally Fit Program.
Program offering free mental health support for youth aims to create future mental health pros

A new program dreamed up by a Detroit teen is offering free mental health services for young people – and seeking to inspire them to help others by pursuing mental health careers.

A Meals on Wheels Western Michigan volunteer makes a delivery.
Inflation, aging population, and loss of COVID funding impact Michigan Meals on Wheels programs

Many Meals on Wheels providers report that challenges have arisen as their client lists continue to grow thanks to an aging population, even as pandemic relief funding dries up.

Lapeer County EMS Education Program Manager Luke Bowen leads a session of the new EMT training program.
Free EMS education program helps ease EMT shortage in Lapeer County

In Lapeer County, east of Flint, a new EMT education program is helping to grow the county's EMT and paramedic workforce.

Melanie Brim, former president and CEO of the Michigan Health Council.
How can Michigan solve its growing health care workforce shortage?

One study found that nearly all of the 36 Michigan health care occupations it analyzed are projecting workforce shortages between now and 2032. What can be done?

Photos of Indigenous family food traditions submitted to the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan.
Michigan’s Indigenous children receive culturally sensitive nutrition education through new program

The 13 Moons Curriculum enriches the lives of children up to age 5 with an academic foundation focused on culturally relevant, healthy eating.

Jim Bardenhagen of Suttons Bay-based Bardenhagen Farms is one of many Michigan farmers who sold his produce to Michigan clients through Cherry Capital Foods.
After a Traverse City food distributor’s closure, Michigan farmers work to keep produce in state

Cherry Capital Foods closed in November, leaving Michigan farmers and produce buyers scrambling to figure out what's next. 

Our Partners

Disability Advocates of Kent County logo
Kids Food Basket
The Right Place

Don't miss out!

Everything Grand Rapids, in your inbox every week.

Close the CTA

Already a subscriber? Enter your email to hide this popup in the future.