MDHHS strives to put the MCH service recipient at the center of programs and services. MDHHS respects the dignity of each individual and their respective culture and language, and considers these factors in program development and service provision. MCH programs understand the benefits of family and consumer partnership and engagement, including the ability to better identify and address unique population needs. Ultimately, understanding these needs helps to improve program outcomes and eliminate barriers to service.

Strategies and the impacts of family partnerships are discussed throughout the Title V state action plans. Specific examples of partnerships within Michigan’s MCH programs include the following:

• The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program utilizes the Michigan Hands and Voices Guide By Your Side™ (GBYS) program. GBYS enables families who recently learned of a child's hearing loss to meet with parents of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing. Families are involved in updating EHDI materials, which are available in Spanish and Arabic. Efforts to promote health equity include diverse parent representation on advisory committees and members who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (D/HOH) and parents of children who are D/HOH. Parents share their family stories at EHDI hospital site visits and trainings. EHDI also sponsors an annual scholarship for a parent to attend the National EHDI conference. Arabic and Spanish speaking guides are also available to meet with families.
• The Michigan Infant Safe Sleep (ISS) State Advisory Committee includes parents as active partners. Parents and caregivers share their stories at public events and help create training videos, educational materials and programming. MDHHS provides funding to 15 local health departments (LHDs) and the Inter-Tribal Council to develop and implement community-based safe sleep activities. LHDs involve parents as parent educators and speakers. The ISS Program recently conducted focus groups with parents and other caregivers to gather information on attitudes and beliefs about safe sleep messaging. In FY 2019, the ISS Program is contracting with two community-based agencies to obtain additional community input and to develop prototype materials. The ISS Program also plans to utilize the MIHEIP Ambassador Program to gain more family input and extend the program’s reach.
• The Parent Leadership in State Government (PLISG) initiative is an interagency effort designed to recruit, train and support parents so their voices can help shape programs and policies at the state and local level. The PLISG is financially supported by Title V. Since 2007, several state agencies including MDHHS have collaboratively funded the PLISG. The PLISG Board includes representatives from funding agencies plus parent representatives. At least 51 percent of board members must be parents of children ages 0-18 who have been or are eligible to utilize specialized public services. A primary role of the PLISG is to deliver the “Parents Partnering for Change” leadership training which targets parents whose children use specialized services. Training topics include leadership skills; how to use your voice and tell your story; effective meetings; and handling conflict.
• Michigan’s Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) grants have integrated parent and caregiver involvement. MIECHV patterned its approach on previous state-level collaboration with parents for Part C, Great Start Parent Coalitions, and Project LAUNCH. MIECHV communities receive funding to convene a home visiting Local Leadership Group (LLG). The LLGs are comprised of representatives from Head Start, substance abuse, child abuse and neglect councils, public health, mental health, education, Great Start staff, and parents who have participated in home visiting. Parents participate in MIECHV quality improvement teams and help to ensure the consumer voice is part of decision making and policy development.

Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) uses a multifaceted approach to ensure that services reflect the needs of the population served. A critical component to administering services is the intentional involvement of families of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) in decision making. To achieve this goal, CSHCS works closely with the Family Center for CYSHCN and the CSHCS Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC is comprised of professionals and family members who are involved in the care for children with special needs. The CAC makes policy recommendations to the CSHCS Division and promotes awareness to assure that services reflect the voices of CYSHCN and their families. The primary responsibilities of the CAC are to support and maintain clarity of the mission, philosophy and service goals of CSHCS; promote public awareness of the CSHCS program; and identify strengths and gaps in services.

The Family Center provides families with an even greater opportunity to contribute to CSHCS programs and policies. The Family Center's primary purposes are to help shape CSHCS policies and procedures by bringing a family perspective and to help families in Michigan navigate the systems of care for CYSHCN. Through its statewide Parent-to-Parent Support Network, the Family Center also provides emotional support and information to families of children with special needs. Families can access support through the Family Phone Line, which is a service provided to any family that has a child with special needs. Parent Consultants within the Family Center offer immediate help to families navigating systems of care which includes identifying needs; referral to resources; and connecting parents to educational and emotional supports. The Family Center’s newly formed statewide Family Leadership Network provides a diverse community-based perspective on programs and policies as well as a platform for the development of new family leaders. The Family Center works in partnership with many statewide and local organizations, including the Michigan Family to Family Health Information Center and Michigan Family Voices.

As illustrated by this discussion, parent and family engagement is intentional and integrated in many MCH programs. To further support family partnership, in 2017 the Title V program conducted a survey of state-level MCH programs to obtain “baseline” information about engagement efforts and to identify priority areas for increased support. The survey had a total of 37 responses representing MCH programs within the Bureau of Family Health Services, CSHCS, and the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. Responses included (but were not limited to) MCH program areas that align with a Title V performance measure and/or receive Title V funding.

Extended results of the survey were included in the FY 2018 and FY 2019 Title V applications. The survey provided insight into levels and types of engagement, the benefits of engagement, and barriers. Survey results illustrated that 58.3% of respondents currently involved families/consumers but wanted to strengthen involvement; an additional 19.4% of respondents did not have current family/consumer involvement but wanted involvement in the future. Survey respondents indicated an array of benefits from engagement, with the majority (80%) indicating an increased awareness or understanding of family/consumer issues and needs.

The top identified training or technical assistance needs were “Strategies to recruit and engage culturally diverse, underrepresented, or underserved families” (43.2%) and “Opportunities to build partnerships with family/consumer organizations” (37.8%). In response to these identified needs, Title V partnered with two organizations in FY 2019 to present two family engagement workshops. The first workshop, presented by Patient and Family Partnerships, focused on effective engagement across the service population and strategies for recruitment and retention. The second workshop, presented by Michigan Family Voices, focused on opportunities and benefits of partnering with family leadership organizations.

The Title V program has also taken steps to increase peer-to-peer sharing and support. In March 2018, the Family Center director presented information to the Title V Steering Committee about the purpose and structure of the Family Center; ways to engage families; the family/professional partnership model; and possibilities to provide consultation to other MCH programs.