Legislative Advocacy
$16M in Grants Available Through LEO: The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has made available more than $16 million to fund customized training programs through the Michigan Learning and Education Advancement Program (MI LEAP). LEO's grants will go toward groups working as regional consortia to support those dislocated by the pandemic, underemployed, serving as essential workers and more. LEO anticipates funding a minimum of eight awardees with a maximum of $2 million for each three-year program. Recipients will work from July 2021 through June 2023. Requests for proposal submissions are due Friday, May 7. Further information is available online. Awardees should expect to be notified on Friday, May 28. An informal webinar on the process is slated to occur from 2:00 - 4:00pm April 7, and pre-registration is required.
Low-Income Food Assistance Expanded for College Students: Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on Wednesday announced the expansion of food assistance benefits for college students facing hardships due to the coronavirus pandemic. Eligible students can file for benefits now, and estimated benefits could be as much as $234 per month. The expansion of eligibility is reflective of temporary changes recently approved by the federal government making some college students eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits if their families are unable to contribute to education costs or if the college or university has a federally or state approved work study program.
Remote Meetings Reminder: As a reminder, under changes to Michigan's Open Meetings Act passed late last year, beginning March 31, public bodies may only continue to meet remotely if there is a state or local state of emergency that would risk the health or safety of members of the public or the governing body if the meeting were held in person. DHHS has clarified that while in-person meetings are permissible, masks are still mandatory and meetings must abide by other guidelines on the number of people physically present.
MTU Seeking Support for Grant: Michigan Tech is seeking letters of support from Michigan community colleges for a grant designed to prepare future teachers in integrated science and specifically for transfer students who are close to completing an associate degree. Details about the grant are available on the grants.gov website. Contact Marianne Semones or Jacqueline Huntoon at MTU for additional information.
Session Update: The Legislature will not meet the weeks of March 29 or April 5 as Legislators return to their districts. Both the House and Senate will convene again on April 13.
HELPFUL LINKS
Michigan Legislature’s website (bill tracking and committee meetings)
Michigan House of Representatives
Community College Legal Authority (Michigan Constitution)
For the map of the community college districts, click here.