2-1-1 Update Flint Water Response for Wednesday, March 30, 2016

This is the daily 2-1-1 summary on the Flint Water Response for Wednesday, March 30, 2016

GENERAL INFORMATION

• The Flint Water Crisis Community Partners Workgroup Meeting Schedule
  • Flint Community Resilience Group (FCRG) Mental Health Workgroup: TBA
    – FCRG Sub-workgroups
    • FCRG Data & Gap Analysis: Every Thursday, 1:30 p.m., Genesee Health System Board Room

  Flint Water Crisis Community Partners General Meeting: Thursday, March 31^st, 3:00 p.m. at the City of Flint offices in the Council Chambers on the 3^rd Floor.  The address is 1101 S. Saginaw St. Flint, MI 48502.  Parking for the meeting is available in the rear of the building, in the employee lot behind the South Building.  The lot is accessible via 7th Street.

• Third round of water testing shows improvement, but still have concerns. The Detroit Free Press reports the most recent round of testing shows 7.9% of 600 residential sites show lead levels above 15 ppb.  Technically this is below the EPA standard that only requires action if 10% of tests are above this level.  Testing will continue for at least another four weeks.  The state has said that the city’s water could be safe to drink again as soon as the end of next month (April). The governor’s office issued a statement last week that a clearance to drink Flint water without a filter will not be issued until government officials and scientific experts agree on the water’s safety.  Full article at http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/03/29/flint-test-results-show-improvement-but-concerns-linger/82375538/
• MLive reports small rise in Flint property assessments and provides background on why at http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2016/03/housing_market_in_flint_saw_ha.html

CALL VOLUME
2-1-1 call volume continues to remain manageable with existing staffing levels.

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 the distribution 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.
  • RESOLVED 2/30/16: 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.
      RESOLUTION:  Per agreement with DHHS, 2-1-1 will refer residents reporting either hair loss or a scalp condition will receive the same follow up and assistance as residents reporting a rash or other skin condition.
  • 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.