By Chris Aldridge
For the Advertiser
By Mary Drier
Staff Writer
HURON COUNTY — Gov. Rick Snyder’s move to merge the former Human Services (DHS) and Community Health departments, which are Michigan’s biggest agencies, could close one of the DHS offices in the Thumb.
“It’s been discussed,” said Huron County Commissioner John Bodis, who chairs the Huron County Health Department board of health, saying he’s heard nothing concrete.
However, he noted “the office is planning for a close,” and the topic has come up at a board of health meeting, he said.
Also, Huron County’s DHS closure was discussed at the last Tuscola County Board of Commissioner’s meeting, and that the Tuscola County DHS would remain open at this time.
“We have not been given any details on the closure of our local DHS,” said Gretchen Tenbusch, who is the health officer for both Tuscola County and Huron County health departments, and said Ann Hepfer, who is the nursing director for the Tuscola County health department.
Bob Wheaton, manager of communications for the new Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS), said there has been no decision made to close specific offices.
See DHS A4
“… And it’s not a certainty that any offices will close, as it’s early in the budget process,” Wheaton said.
County Commissioner Clark Elftman, who, with Bodis, serves on the Thumb Area Consortium board at the ThumbWorks employment agency, said nothing is definite yet. But there is concern.
“It’s easy for people to say they can move services south of us,” Elftman said. “That doesn’t make it easy on the people who live here.”
In February this year, 7,292 people in Huron County received public assistance through the DHS office, down 100 from 2010, according to Wheaton.
They receive cash assistance through a Family Independence Program, food assistance, state disability assistance, state emergency relief and Medicaid.
The office also investigates alleged child abuse or neglect and provides services to families affected by abuse and neglect.
“Our workers will still be present in local communities so that they can best serve our customers — whether it’s in an MDHHS office or at some other location in the community,” Wheaton said.
According to Snyder said the new MDHHS — with 14,000 employees — will help identify the root causes of why people are on government assistance and lead to improved outcomes. The merge would save $5.3 million by closing and consolidating Human Services offices.
Huron Commissioners say it could negatively affect the area.
“It’s definitely going to have an effect on the population of the county,” Bodis said, adding that he hopes person-to-person services won’t be replaced with teleconferencing.
Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.