Developmental Disabilities

Michigan Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to the Developmentally Disabled

Under this program the state financially supports local Community Mental Health Services Programs (CMHSPs) who provide a host of treatment and support services for persons with developmental disabilities. The CMHSPs are operated under Chapter 2 of the Mental Health Code - Act 258 of 1974 as amended. There are 49 CMHSPs throughout Michigan.

Employment opportunities for workers with developmental disabilities are overseen by two agencies in Michigan. The first program resides in the Michigan Department of Community Health.

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for the Developmentally Disabled

The Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS), a division of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth, provides career services to people with a range of disabilities, including developmental disabilities. The MRS also works with the CMHSPs. Traditionally, CMHSPs provided employment services in local sheltered workshops, but increasingly employment opportunities are being provided through supportive employment and community integration programs. In 1998, Michigan Rehabilitation Services and the Department of Community Health jointly developed supported employment guidelines to maintain standards and promote consistency across the state.

Sheltered Employment

Sheltered workshops in Michigan are now called Community Rehabilitation Organizations. These organizations are charitable or not for profit. They are contracted by the local Community Health Services Programs (CMHSPs).

Competitive Employment

Since the mid-1980s, individuals with significant developmental disabilities and chronic mental illness have been proving their abilities and potential to contribute in the workplace through supported employment. Supported employment means a job in a typical business with support services, such as a job coach or natural supports. Supported employment occurs within an integrated, natural work setting where people without disabilities are also employed. In 1998, Michigan Rehabilitation Services and the Department of Community Health jointly developed supported employment guidelines to maintain standards and promote consistency across this statewide, collaborative effort.

Health and Safety

The state also offers the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) which assists employers and employees by providing set of criteria designed to evaluate and recognize outstanding safety and health management systems. MVPP participants implement safety and health management systems that provide protections beyond what is required by MIOSHA standards.

The MIOSHA Act also encourages employers and employees to reduce workplace hazards voluntarily. The on-site consultation program offers assistance to employers in achieving compliance with occupational safety and health standards.

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1974 protects not only the private sector, but also the public sector for state and local government employees. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act (MIOSHA Act) No. 154 of the Public Acts of 1974, as amended provides job safety and health protection for Michigan employees. Employees and employee representatives who believe that an unsafe or unhealthful working condition exists have the right to request an inspection. To contact MIOSHA by mail:

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

Other avenues for reporting abuse and neglect include:

Any suspect case of abuse for any Department of Community Health program must be reported to the Program Investigation Section. The Program Investigation Section has the authority to report abuse referrals to the Office of Attorney General, Health Care Fraud Division.

Any individual who suspects the presence of abuse within the Department of Community Health's programs may report the suspicion by calling:

Protection and Advocacy

An additional source of information for citizens with developmental disabilities is the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council.

The protection and advocacy of citizens with developmental disabilities is provided by the Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services Inc. (MPAS). Among the MPAS's programs is the Protection and Advocacy for People with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) program which assists people with developmental disabilities by pursuing allegations of abuse and neglect and pursuing legal, administrative and other appropriate remedies to assure protection of rights and access to services and benefits.