Ottawa Area Center Parent Link
September 11, 2023 Vol. 7
OAC Administrators
Julia Plaggemeyer - Assistant Director
Chelsea Dykstra - Administrative Coordinator
Ottawa Area Staff
Important Upcoming Dates at OAC
- September 14 - Open House 5pm-7pm
- September 20 - Community Mental Health at OAC 12:30-3:30pm
- September 22 - Early Dismissal(student busing begins at 1:25pm)
OAC News
OAC Open House
MI Backpack Home Tests: At-Home COVID-19 Testing Program for K–12
MDHHS has implemented a program to make a calculated number of free, at-home COVID antigen tests available to students in Michigan’s schools.
This program offers one more tool—in addition to in-school testing, masking, ventilation, and other strategies—to create a safer environment for students, staff, and families. This program has been implemented make free at-home COVID testing available to groups at elevated risk for COVID-19.
What? MI Backpack Home Tests is a voluntary program offered by MDHHS for Michigan K–12 students, educators, staff, and their families who want an extra layer of protection against COVID-19. Every person enrolled in the program will receive one at-home COVID-19 test “kit,” which includes 2 at-home tests. MDHHS will provide the kits and educational materials, and schools will distribute the kits to students and staff who choose to enroll. There is no obligation to participate.
Who? K–12 students, teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, teaching aides, and noninstructional staff are all eligible to opt into this program through their participating school or district.
Where? Students and staff who enroll in the program will receive at-home COVID-19 tests kits distributed at school. Participants will then be able to test their students, themselves, or other family members right at home.
When? In the coming weeks look for these free tests in your students backpacks.
Family Matters
Renew Mobility Equipment Pop Up
Keep your family covered as kids head back to school
A child could still be eligible for MIChild or some Michiganders who may be ineligible for one Medicaid program, could still obtain health benefits through another program.
Cross Medicaid renewals off your back-to-school checklist! Medicaid eligibility renewals began again in June after being paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. If your Medicaid benefits are due for renewal, don’t delay in returning your paperwork so your family isn’t at risk of losing coverage if they are still eligible.
“You can check your renewal month, update contact information and report household changes online or by calling your local MDHHS office,” said Meghan Groen, MDHHS Medicaid director. “If your paperwork is due, make sure to get it in as quickly as possible. Then it’s one less thing to worry about as you’re getting the kiddos ready to go back to school.”
MDHHS advises families to return any renewal paperwork they receive as quickly as possible, even if they believe they are no longer eligible for Medicaid. Some members of a household can obtain health care coverage even when others are not eligible. For example, a child may be eligible for MIChild, even if their parent is not eligible for other Medicaid programs. Or some Michiganders may have income that is over the income limit for one program and still be able to obtain health care benefits through another program.
MDHHS will assess a household’s eligibility for all Medicaid programs – not just for the programs in which an individual is currently enrolled, but also for each family member in the household. You can check your information at Michigan.gov/MIBridges.
The State of Michigan is committed to doing what it can to help Michiganders find quality, affordable health care coverage in light of the changes by the federal government.
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is working with MDHHS to help impacted Michiganders get affordable, comprehensive health insurance if they are determined to be no longer eligible for Medicaid. DIFS can answer questions about purchasing a health insurance plan. Call DIFS at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit Michigan.gov/StayCovered to learn more.
OAC Social Work/OCSN Parent Resources
This is your one stop location for parents/guardians to go for community supports and resources. Please check out this resource at Social Work/OCSN Resource Warehouse. Bookmark this resource on your computer and refer back often. It will be continually updated with fresh and new information.
Community Mental Health
CMH will be here the 3rd Wednesday of the month going forward.
2023-2024 School Hours
Full Day – 8:37am-3:03pm
½ Day – 8:37am-11:50am
Early Dismissal – 8:37am-1:35pm
Student AM Bussing begins at 8:27am
Student PM Bussing begins at 2:53pm
About Us
Email: bseymour@oaisd.org
Website: www.oaisd.org/schools/ottawa-area-center
Location: 10160 96th Avenue, Allendale, MI, USA
Phone: (616)738-8960
Facebook: facebook.com/OttawaAreaCenter/