Updates About Executive Office Announcements

On September 22, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced appointments to the School Safety and Mental Health Commission.

The Commission, which was created under the Fiscal Year 2022-23 School Aid Budget, has been tasked with providing recommendations to strengthen the mental health of school-aged children and their families as well as reduce youth suicides. Members consist of individuals appointed by the Governor, as well as appointees recommended by the Senate Majority Leader, Speaker of the House, Senate Minority Leader, and House Minority Leader. Designees from the Department of Education, State Police, and Department of Health and Human Services also serve as members.

The appointees are not subject to the advice and consent of the Michigan State Senate.

Under Executive Order 2022-11, Governor Gretchen Whitmer created the Center for Data and Analytics, housed in the Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB).

Funded in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget, the Center for Data and Analytics is tasked with providing data- and evidence-driven strategies to all state departments and agencies. State department and agency heads are to coordinate with the center to facilitate data sharing. If there are cases where data is prohibited from being shared, a written notice must be provided.

The Executive Office hopes the new Center will allow for the state to “better understand economic, social, and demographic trends and make evidence-based policy decisions that improve lives”.

On Friday, July 15, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2022-5, which creates the Michigan Parents Council – an advisory body housed within the Michigan Department of Education. The Council must include a diverse representation of seven parents, guardians or family members appointed by the Governor, as well as a representative appointed by the state superintendent, and the Governor’s K-12 policy advisor.

The Council will be charged with convening regional roundtable discussions covering, at a minimum, strategies, and approaches for combating unfinished learning and supporting children’s mental health. Themes and ideas gleaned from the discussions will help inform policy recommendations in the Governor’s next budget recommendation.

A report must be submitted by December 9, 2022. The council will dissolve on March 1, 2023.