Would you consider becoming a foster parent? Montcalm DHS is always looking to recruit new prospective foster families and have found this to be quite a struggle in rural communities often hit hard by economic downturn. Montcalm DHS is looking for homes in Montcalm and Ionia Counties so that our most vulnerable children (foster children) might remain in their schools, with their friends, and everything else that is comfortable to them.
If you are interested, contact:

Kristina Syjud- Montcalm County Children’s Foster Home Licensor
Phone: (989) 304-0882
Email: syjudk1@michigan.gov
Sarah Gorby – Ionia County Children’s Foster Home Licensor
Phone: (616) 902-9909
Email: gorbys@michigan.gov

Montcalm Care Network Presents- Community Education Series
Mind, Body, Soul Wellness
January Fighting Off The Winter Blues - Learn what Seasonal Affective Disorder is and who it
affects. What are the symptoms and how to get treatment.
February Nutrition and Healthy Eating - How does the reduction of calories and eating right
improve your mood, life, and health?
March Psychiatric Medications - A discussion about commonly prescribed medications for
Mental health. What they are, and what they do.
April Staying Cool During Difficult Conversations - Teaching you effective techniques to use
when you are involved in a difficult conversation. How to stay calm and get the situation
resolved.
May Fighting Discrimination in Mental Illness - What is mental illness and who does it affect.
How to address your loved ones who might struggle with mental health concerns.
June Opioid Abuse - Learn about the new epidemic in our county. What to do if a family
member is struggling with a heroin or prescription pain killer addiction.
First Tuesday of the month at Sparrow Carson Hospital Conference Room B
406 E. Elm St. Carson City, MI 48811 from 6pm-7pm
Second Tuesday of the month at Reynolds Township Library
117 Williams St. Howard City, MI 49329 from 6pm-7pm
Third Wednesday of the month at Flat River Community Library
200 W. Judge St. Greenville, MI 48838 from 6pm-7pm
Fourth Thursday of the month at Commission on Aging
613 N. State St. Stanton, MI 48888 from 6pm-7pm
Contact Amanda with any questions (989) 831-7387
Montcalm Care Network staff will be on hand at each location from 5:00pm - 6:00pm to enroll attendees in Medicaid and or Healthy Michigan plans if there is a need.

The Montcalm County Sheriff's Office reports the launch of OK2SAY, a new hotline and student safety initiative available to Michigan students beginning in the 2014-2015 academic year.  OK2SAY enables sutdents to confidentially report potential harm or criminal activities aimed at students, teachers, staff or other school employees.  The program will operate as an early warning system in our schools to thwart tragedies before they occur.  Created as a result of the Student Safety Act (183 PA 2013), OK2SAY's focus is on early intervention and prevention.  For more informaton on OK2SAY, please click here.

Want to protect your family from unwanted adult advertising?

The State of Michigan offers a free program to stop adult advertisements from reaching e-mails and mobile phones (text messaging).  The Michigan Child Protection Registry, created by the Michigan State Legislature in 2004, allows Michigan schools and families to protect their students from receiving adult-oriented messages.  Registered addresses and numbers are protected from messages that advertise pornography, tobacco, illegal drugs, alcohol and gambling.

For more information and/or to sign-up please visit www.protectmichild.com.