2-1-1 Update Flint Water Response for Friday, March 25, 2016

This is the daily 2-1-1 summary on the Flint Water Response for Friday, March 25, 2016

Note:  Beginning next week on Monday, March 28^th, the 2-1-1 summary will move to a three day per week distribution schedule (Monday/Wednesday/Friday).  This decision is based on several factors:

1) As the response partners settle into more routine operations, the volume of changes and critical updates has decreased significantly; 2) Additional communications and coordination channels are in place to support information sharing and collaboration among response partners; and 3) The Michigan 2-1-1 state office is a one-person operation and  I need to balance my commitments to other partnerships and opportunities to support 2-1-1 development and access for all Michigan residents.

As needed, Michigan 2-1-1 will send out special alerts.  Thank you to everyone on the distribution list for sharing your questions, meeting dates and outreach/awareness materials.  Please continue to send this information to tpage@uwmich.org. 

Have a great weekend!
Tom Page, Executive Director
Michigan 2-1-1

GENERAL INFORMATION

• The Flint Water Crisis Community Partners Workgroup
  • Communication Workgroup: Monday, March 21^st, 3:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church
• Feds extend Flint emergency until August 14, but no more extensions. Friday afternoon FEMA approved a four month extension of emergency assistance to provide water, filter cartridges, filters, and test kits for four additional months.  The letter states, “This is the final extension.  No further extensions will be granted.”  The original declaration was for 90 days and was due to expire on April 14.
  • Free Press report at freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/03/25/feds-extend-flint-emergency-until-august—-but-no-later/82254468
• New York Times published an editorial today on Flint in response to the task force report published Wednesday stating, “The task force cut through to the truth”.  The editorial quotes the report’s finding that, “Flint residents, who are majority black or African-American and among the most impoverished of any metropolitan area in the United States, did not enjoy the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards as that provided to other communities,” and cites New Orleans, chemical spills in West Virginia, and lead contamination in Washington, DC, as other examples of “poor and minority communities [suffering] disproportionately from environmental degradation”.
  NY Times Editorial: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/25/opinion/the-racism-at-the-heart-of-flints-crisis.html?_r=0

CALL VOLUME
Call volume to 2-1-1 remains manageable with additional staffing in place to assist Flint callers.

SPECIAL NEEDS/REQUESTS
No special needs or requests were reported today.

RUMOR/SCAM CONTROL

• The Attorney General’s Office investigates reports of potential scams. These can be reported to the Charitable Trust Section at ct_email@michigan.gov.  The AG has tips on how to avoid falling victim to con artists at michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-164-17337_20942-375279–,00.html.

UNRESOLVED

• From 3/8/16:The Community Partners Communications Workgroup is asking for guidance from the State of Michigan on the following issues: 
  • What affects does heat/time have on the plastic water bottles?
  • Regarding the side-effects of lead: On average how soon do symptoms appear?
  • Who is testing the samples provided by residents? Is more than just lead and coper levels being tested? If so what is being tested?
  • Will lead be passed on to recipients that received blood, organs or plasma from Flint donors?
• From 3/8/16:The Communications Workgroup requested a diagram or org chart of the crisis response mechanism and how all parties work together, including JIC, EOC, SECO, UCG,CHECC, ACE, CDC, EPA, DEQ, HHS, DHHS, FEMA.
• From 3/8/16:The Communications Workgroup requested coordination by state, federal and local governments on thedistribution of information related to the Flint Water situation and the response, emphasizing the community doesn’t want multiple information documents for every department. They are asking for one consistent document on key issues and a mechanism to provide feedback to government entities prior to releasing information.
• From 3/23/16: Follow up from Governor Snyder’s Tele Town Hall with Flint residents
  • Appliance and water heater replacement
    • 2-1-1 is following up with the governor’s office for information on any other options to address appliance repair and/or replacement.
• Hair loss and painful scalp condition attributed to water were reported by an elderly woman
  • 2-1-1 is following up with DHHS to verify if reports of hair loss/scalp problems should follow the same referral process that is in place for skin rash referrals.
• Pet safety was addressed
  • 2-1-1 is following up to determine of the MSU Veterinary School will be offering additional free pet testing following the pet testing event on March 19.