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Dear Michigander,

I am proud to say that Michigan?s economic momentum continues to move forward. For the second consecutive month, Michigan?s unemployment rate remained at 3.6% in July, the lowest unemployment rate in 23 years.

Michiganders are getting to work to provide for themselves and their families. Our responsibility is to have their backs. That?s why I recently signed a bipartisan budget making record investments in workforce programs, powering economic development, building housing, and lowering costs of school meals, housing, pre-K, higher education, and more.?

Check out some updates below on even more ways we?re continuing to support Michiganders. From making record investments in our Michigan families to making state resources more accessible, there are a lot of new ways our state is working to support you and your family in building a brighter future.

Let?s keep our foot on the accelerator and continue our efforts to help anyone 'make it in Michigan.'

Sincerely,?

Governor Whitmer

Gretchen Whitmer
Governor of Michigan

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New UIA Claimant Roadmap

Michigan?s latest jobs report shows that our state?s strong economic momentum has continued. Our unemployment rate remains at its lowest level in 23 years. Our labor force participation rate increased yet again, our labor force grew by 23,000, and our economy added 63,000 jobs year over year.?

Workers now have a new resource from the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) that explains everything you need to know about filing for and receiving benefits while you search for work.

The new Claimant Roadmap [ [link removed] ]guides users through benefits eligibility, how to apply, correspondence from the UIA, and how to certify for benefits while you search for work. It provides clear instructions to help workers know when and how to take action on their claim and includes information to support your immediate needs.

*How the roadmap simplifies filing for benefits*

The claimant roadmap:


* Uses easy-to-understand, plain language, not jargon and legalese.
* Combines in one place information that was previously found on multiple web pages.
* Features a design that online users are accustomed to seeing as they track their progress.
* Provides pop-up information that allows users to dig deeper into issues as they go through the filing process.

The help center and roadmap will also develop simplified letters sent to workers and employers to highlight important information and next steps to make it clear to recipients what?s expected of them.

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Increased Funding for Foster Parents

A few weeks ago, I signed a bipartisan budget that will put more money in the pockets of foster parents [ [link removed] ] so they can pay the bills and put food on the table while caring for their foster kids.

The budget boosts the resources these parents receive so we can keep children safe and healthy. The funding is part of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services? (MDHHS) overall effort to address the shortage of foster parents in Michigan and provide additional support for foster youth with higher behavioral health needs.?This new program will have annual funds that go directly to respite care providers to give foster families additional support. ?As one of the most requested forms of support from foster families, this is a major step to keeping kids safe and keeping families together.

Both process and policy updates are a part of MDHHS? larger actions to keep kids safe and promote foster parent recruitment and retention. To view the latest on how the department is supporting foster families, visit the MDHHS foster care website [ [link removed] ] or call 855-MICHKIDS to learn more.??

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GetSetUp

It?s time to GetSetUp! For the third year in a row, MDHHS has partnered with GetSetUp, an online learning and discovery platform [ [link removed] ] designed specifically for older adults. GetSetUp helps older Michiganders combat social isolation and stay mentally, physically, and socially active by providing them with 500,000 free virtual classes across a range of topics.

GetSetUp has helped reduced isolation and loneliness by making its services available to the 2.4 million older adults in Michigan:


* 108,000 older adults used GetSetUp in the first year.
* There are nearly 268,000 users as of June 30, 2023.
* Individuals have participated in over 3,400 virtual classes and discussions on topics like healthy aging, fitness, photography, technology, and mental health.

If you are a Michigan resident over 50, you can access the easy-to-use GetSetUp learning platform and participate free of charge in friendly, peer-led classes. Plus, you can join classes to learn about health, wellness, and fitness, explore hobbies, and much more.

Learn more about GetSetUp?s partnership with MDHHS by exploring classes that help empower older adults to learn, connect, and thrive at Getsetup.io/partner/Michigan.

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Apply for LGBTQ+ Commission

This summer, I established the first-ever Michigan LGBTQ+ Commission [ [link removed] ], focused on protecting and supporting Michigan?s LGBTQ+ community.

The LGBTQ+ Commission is looking for individuals who represent the interests of a diverse range of communities and perspectives (see below). If you are interested in applying for the LGBTQ+ Commission, please visit michigan.gov/appointments [ [link removed] ].

As outlined in my executive order, the Commission may include:

1) One educator or a current member of a school board;

2) One medical professional who regularly provides care directly to members of the LGBTQ+ community;

3) One tribal member;

4) One member of the transgender community;

5) Two members who represent LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, one of which must be a community center;

6) One member who lives in a rural community;

7) One member from the private sector;

8) One member who is a parent, guardian, or caregiver of a child (under eighteen years old) who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community;

9) One member between eighteen and twenty-five years old who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community;

10) One member who is a social worker or mental health professional who regularly provides direct services to members of the LGBTQ+ community;

11) One member who represents a religious institution that welcomes members of the LGBTQ+ community; and

12) One member who is a first responder.

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*In Other News*

*Gov. Whitmer Joins Whirlpool Corporation, Elected Officials for Tech Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in St. Joseph [ [link removed] ]*

*Gov. Whitmer Announces New ?Make it in Michigan? Investment to Build Affordable Housing and Support Businesses in Detroit, Holland, and Hudsonville [ [link removed] ]*

*Gov. Whitmer Announces Investment to Address Early Learning Workforce Shortage and Expand Access to Child Care for Working Families [ [link removed] ]*

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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Executive Office of the Governor ? 111 S. Capitol Ave ? Lansing, Michigan 48901 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]