Great Lakes Wire

Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) provided an update to Judge Nancy G. Edmunds of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on improvements in Michigan's child welfare system under the Modified Implementation, Sustainability and Exit Plan (MISEP).

"MDHHS is deeply committed to ensuring the health and safety of all children," said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. "While there is always more work to be done, I'm proud of the tremendous progress made."

Judge Edmunds noted that MDHHS met or exceeded performance standards in six out of 25 areas monitored for compliance between January 1, 2024, and June 30, 2024. The department was close to meeting standards in three additional areas.

The commitments removed from court oversight include annual reports analyzing maltreatment in care data, placing siblings together when entering care unless exceptions apply, monthly sibling visits for foster children not placed together achieving a standard of 86.6 percent, quality assessments and service plans compliant with federal requirements, initial medical exams within 30 days reaching 86.5 percent compliance, and addressing health and dental care needs with a standard met at 90.5 percent.

MDHHS aims to exit court oversight by mid-2026 with further improvements planned in areas such as maltreatment prevention, permanency achievement within 12 months for foster children projected to double in six counties, and increased relative placements from 42% in 2020 to 51% in 2024.

Demetrius Starling from MDHHS highlighted continued efforts to enhance outcomes for children and families: "Through hard work...MDHHS is making significant progress."

Federal court monitors have tracked these developments since a settlement following a lawsuit by Children's Rights against Michigan's former Department of Human Services.

For more information or the latest federal court monitor report visit www.michigan.gov/ChildWelfareAgreement