News & Events Digest: June 2023

The roughly 350 people who attended the Michigan Education Trust's 11th annual Pizza Party on the Michigan State Capitol Lawn got their fill of pizza and helped fill the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund, which awards scholarships to students enrolled in Michigan college and universities who have experienced foster care.

The $12,485 raised at the Wednesday, June 21, pizza party fundraiser will help make the dream of a college education a reality for students who otherwise might lack resources to pursue higher education when they age out of the foster care system.

For a minimum donation of $10, attendees received a slice of pizza, dessert and a drink.

Again this year, the Michigan Department of Treasury?s Black History Month Committee partnered with the Fostering Futures Scholarship to hold a celebration in honor of Juneteenth.

In addition, over 100 pillows were collected during the pizza party for The Pillow Effect, a Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative (MYOI) project. Because children entering foster care often don't have their essential personal items with them, The Pillow Effect provides pillows to foster care youth in Ionia, Clinton/Eaton, Ingham, and? Shiawassee counties.

The Pizza Party on the Capitol Lawn is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Hungry Howie's, Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative, Park West Foundation, Michigan Student Financial Aid Association, Michigan College Access Network, Treasury Black History Month Program Committee, LAFCU, GUD Marketing, Meridian, Michigan Community College Association, Michigan Association of Broadcasters, WLNS TV-6 in Lansing and MSU Federal Credit Union.

Individuals who were unable to attend this year's event?can still donate. Any donation, big or small, will make a difference.

To learn more about the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund or to donate, go to?www.michigan.gov/fosteringfutures.

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and Unemployment Insurance Agency Director Julia Dale recently urged Michigan residents and businesses with past-due state debts to be on alert for scam letters making the rounds through the U.S. Postal Service.

?It is disheartening to see the lengths scammers will go to make a quick buck from Michigan residents,? State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said. ?The state of Michigan works collaboratively with individuals to find solutions to their outstanding state debts. If you receive an aggressive and threatening letter, please contact us through a verified phone number so we can log the scam and talk about options.?

In the scam, residents or employers receive a letter about an overdue state debt that requests immediate contact through a toll-free number to resolve the outstanding balance. The letter aggressively threatens to seize property ? including bank accounts, wages, business assets, cars, real estate, refunds and cash ? if the debt is not settled.

The correspondence appears credible to the recipient because it uses personal facts and information pulled directly from the internet and public records. The scammer?s letter attempts to lure a person or business into a situation where they could make a payment to a criminal.

UIA Director Julia Dale, who has made fighting fraud a cornerstone of her efforts to transform the UIA into a national leader in fast, fair, and fraud-free service, cautioned businesses to be on alert for bad actors who try to scam money using questionable documents.

?It?s important for businesses to recognize when they are receiving legitimate correspondence from the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency and when to be suspicious,? Director Dale said. ?Employers face many obstacles every day. Falling victim to an attempt to steal hard-earned income should not be one of them. The UIA urges employers or third-party administrators to contact the agency if they have any suspicions about letters they receive asking for payment.?

The Michigan Department of Treasury -- which functions as the state?s collections agency ? and the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency correspond with residents and businesses through official letters sent through the U.S. Postal Service that use state of Michigan letterhead.

Treasury?s letters embody both the names of the governor and state treasurer, provide several options to resolve an outstanding debt, and outline taxpayer rights. UIA?s letters embody both the names of the governor and the director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). UIA is a part of LEO. Letters from the unemployment agency will include information about how to protest and appeal payment determinations.

The UIA posts correspondence to an employer?s Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) account. If an employer has questions about their account, a payment, or their balance, they should contact UIA by calling 1-855-484-2636.

Any business that is unsure about official-looking correspondence requesting direct unemployment insurance payments should call the UIA?s Office of Employer Ombudsman at 1-855-484-2636.

Attempts at fraud or identity theft can also be reported through an employer?s MiWAM account.

Individuals who receive a letter from a scammer or have questions about their state debts should call Treasury?s Collections Service Center at 517-636-5265. A customer service representative can log the scam, verify outstanding state debts, and provide flexible payment options.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced that the Michigan Department of Treasury (Treasury) has achieved Gold-Level Veteran-Friendly Employer Certification from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA).

?I?m thrilled to see the Department of Treasury join the ranks as a Gold-level Veteran-Friendly Employer along with six other state departments,? said Governor Whitmer. ?Veterans represent the best of us and bring with them unique knowledge and skillsets that are invaluable to the workforce. We want Michigan to be the first place that service members and their families consider when leaving the military. With the work of the Department of Treasury and other state departments, we?re on the right track.?

To be selected as a Gold-Level Veteran-Friendly Employer, Treasury is required to follow guidelines outlined by the MVAA. Employers must retain at least 75% of veteran hires over the most recent 12 months, implement internal veteran support networks, and create either a hiring rotation or leadership development program within their organization, among other requirements.?

In July 2022, the Michigan Department of Treasury received?Silver-Level Veteran-Friendly Employer Certification from MVAA.

?Our team immediately set their sights on achieving the coveted Gold-level status after receiving a Silver-level designation last year,? State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said. ?We knew we could continue to grow in our outreach efforts to recruit and retain veterans, who bring unique skills and talents to the organizations they serve. We dedicated our ideas, programming and outreach to help us connect with veterans in a more meaningful way. Treasury employees are really a testament to achieving this honored status.?

Since being created in 2013, the Veteran-Friendly Employer Program has recognized more than 500 Michigan employers with either Bronze-, Silver- or Gold-level status for their efforts in supporting the recruitment, training and retention of veteran workforce talent. To date, 25 employers have received the Gold-level status, including seven state departments.

As part of the program, MVAA aids employers as they develop and improve their efforts to recruit and retain high-quality veteran candidates.

?Treasury has a proven track record of being advocates for veteran employment,? says Adam Hollier, Director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. ?They are determined to recruit active-duty service members and veterans for job openings and regularly attend employment events hosted by the MVAA. Their passion for supporting veterans is undeniable and I know they will serve as a model for how other employers in Michigan should serve their military-connected and veteran employees.?

Organizations can learn more about becoming a Veteran-Friendly Employer, including?obtaining an application, by visiting the?MVAA website.