By Mary Drier
Staff Writer
VASSAR — A variety of concerns have been raised about a Vassar area business wanting to be a sub-contractor to house Central American youths who crossed illegally into the United States. One of the concerns is illnesses they could bring.
But, that isn’t expected to be an issue if Wolverine Human Services’ Pioneer Work and Learn Center in Vassar is successful in securing a contract, according to the Michigan Department of Community Heath.
“The health department contacted the Michigan Department of Community Heath regarding the potential Children’s Refugee Camp Vassar,” said Tuscola County and Huron counties’ Health Departments’ Health Officer Gretchen Tenbusch in a report to the Tuscola County Commissioners.
“The state has informed us that these children will come from another refugee camp or processing center, and have a health history completed and immunizations brought up to date.”
Also, the Michigan Department of Community Health provided additional information on refugee health issues.
“We were also told that there have been no disease outbreaks in the camps that they will be coming from,” noted Tenbusch’s report.
However, there could be some related costs if refugees are housed locally.
“We will need to increase our communicable disease budget to cover any investigations we have to do as well as the increased communicable disease surveillance,” noted the report.
In the meantime, Wolverine Human Services officials wait to learn if their proposal to accept the refugee youths is accepted.
Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.