Archive for Safety Net

Kalamazoo mom, daughter profit from Michigan’s home visit programs

Shauntiana Branson found herself unexpectedly pregnant — and unprepared for motherhood two years ago. Having just reached adulthood and fearing backlash from her family, Branson did what she could to find her own help. A visit [...]

Michigan still using federal dollars to fund mortgage assistance programs

As she struggled to hold onto her home after her hours as a retail clerk were slashed, a 66-year-old Kentwood resident initially lost $1,300 in a scam run by a company that promised to help the [...]

Blue Cross revamp: What does it mean for your pocketbook?

Blue Cross Blue Shield is, in some ways, health care in Michigan. The nonprofit firm and its family of companies cover 4.4 million Michigan residents – or almost half the state. It paid out more than [...]

Leader of Grand Rapids homeless shelter keeps the focus on accountability

GRAND RAPIDS — A decade back, Stuart Ray was immersed in the business of fast foods as he presided over dozens of local Burger King franchises. Today, he’s immersed in the business of human salvation, as [...]

Report details surge in child poverty in Detroit

The majority of children in Detroit now live in poverty, says a new report from the demographic firm Data Driven Detroit. The child poverty rate was 57.3 percent in 2011, D3 found in “2012 State of [...]

Legal immunity worries child advocates

The fear of getting sued if a foster child attempts suicide or theft prompted private social service agencies to push in the waning days of the lame-duck session for a law granting them limited immunity to [...]