We are grateful for the extraordinary commitment AFT Michigan members shown throughout this crisis to protect the health and safety of students, families, education professionals and our communities.
We will continue to provide you with as much information as possible to guide you as everyone works to slow the spread of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). The National AFT also has resources on its website at AFT.org/coronavirus.
AFT Michigan is in frequent communication with the Governor’s Office, the Michigan Department of Education and members of the Legislature, as we work to support efforts to protect public health and ensure member rights are respected.
Below you will find information on various issues our members have raised, but is by no means exhaustive. Please contact your local union representative with any additional questions or concerns.
Message from LG Garlin Gilchrist to AFT Michigan Members
AFT has prepared a document based on information from the Centers for Disease Control on:
- Transmission and symptoms
- What to do if you get sick
- What to expect during the pandemic
Higher Education school closures and moves to online learning vary by institution.
AFT Michigan has compiled guidance on many issues arising from this sudden change in working conditions for local leaders. Members should work through their local union representatives and leadership on their individual concerns given the significant variance between institutions and departments.
AFT and AAUP partnered to create this guidance document: Principles for Higher Education Response to COVID-19.
School Reopening
See our collection of resources on safely reopening schools at https://aftmichigan.org/schoolreopening/
Special Education Services
A number of our members working with people with special needs have expressed concerns about best serving students during a long school closure and meeting state and federal deadlines.
The Michigan Department of Education is working hard to provide guidance to district and receive waivers from the federal government to allow for flexibility. MDE has prepared several memos on these topics, and three of particular interest are available below.
- Compliance Requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C during a Public Health Emergency
- Compliance Requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) during a Public Health Emergency
- Clarification on Distance Learning for Special Education Students
Guidance for Compliance With IDEA and MARSE During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Standardized Testing
Guidelines for Michigan school districts remain in flux as the MDE works with the fedhttps://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-37818_53456—,00.htmleral Department of Education to develop a safe and reasonable plan.
See the MDE COVID site here.
Career and Technical Education and Early Middle College Guidance from MDE
Latest News from Governor Whitmer
Press Releases from
Governor Whitmer: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90640—,00.htmlPress Releases from Governor Whitmer: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90640—,00.html
Federal and state programs have expanded unemployment access during the pandemic. See more details in our Unemployment Resource Center.
Among its relief measures in the CARES Act, the law provides several protections for federal student loan borrowers including suspending all payments and reducing interest rates to zero percent through September 30, 2020.
Click here to download the AFT’s document on student loan information.
You can find additional information on the Federal Student Aid website.
The State of Michigan has created and organized a number of resources to provide the public information about COVID-19, including translating fact sheets into simplified and traditional Chinese, Arabic, and Spanish.
- Frequently Asked Questions About Coronavirus Disease 2019
- Tip Sheet for Older Adults
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 Fact Sheet – English
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 Fact Sheet – Traditional Chinese/(Chinese characters)
- Coronavirus Diease 2019 Fact Sheet – Simplified Chinese
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 Fact Sheet – Spanish/Espanol
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 Fact Sheet – Arabic
You can find the full list of resources for Michigan residents at Michigan.gov/coronavirus
State of Michigan Volunteer Coordination: Call 211
From Governor Gretchen Whitmer:
If you have the ability and would like to help, there is a role for you. Please call 211 to sign up to be on the central registry for volunteers to assist those most vulnerable.
Assisting with Food Distribution to Families in Need
In addition to working directly with your local union and school district, we recommend interested members support their local food banks which can be identified through Feeding America.
The contact info for some major regional food banks is below:
- Gleaners Community Taylor Distribution Center, 734-946-6374, 25678 Northline Rd, Taylor, MI 48180, USA
- Gleaners Community Joan & Wayne Webber Distribution Center-Warren, 586-758-6815, 24162 Mound Rd, Warren, MI 48091, USA
- Greater Lansing Food Bank, 517-853-7800, 919 Filley St, Lansing, MI 48906, USA
- Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeast Michigan-Detroit, 313-923-3535, 2131 Beaufait St, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
- Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank, 616.784.3250, 864 West River Center Drive, Grand Rapids
- South Michigan Food Bank, 269.964.3663, 5451 Wayne Road, Battle Creek, MI 49016
- Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, 810.239.4441, 2300 Lapeer Road, Flint, MI 48503
- Food Gatherers, 734.761.2796, 1 Carrot Way, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
- Forgotten Harvest, 248.967.1500, 21800 Greenfield Road, Oak Park, MI 48237
Guidance and Considerations for Child Care within Classrooms for Children Ages 6 weeks through 5 years During the COVID-19 State of Emergency
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has reached out to Intermediate School Districts (ISDs), local education agencies, and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to assist Michigan’s essential workforce (e.g., medical staff, emergency responders, and child care workers) in finding child care during this state of emergency. ISDs will be working with their partners, including local education agencies, public and private child care providers, Head Start/Early Head Start and other public preschool programs, and others to achieve this goal.
MDE Guidance and Considerations for Child Care within Classrooms for Children Ages
December 2020 COVID-19 Relief Bill
March 2020 CARES Act
This $2 trillion bipartisan agreement was signed earlier this evening, and addresses the current public health emergency, supports local communities, and puts America’s workers first. Click here to read AFT President Randi Weingarten’s statement on the legislation.
Among the funding provisions in the CARES Act:
- $150 billion to assist states, tribes and local governments that must pay for new expenses related to COVID-19 response. Michigan’s grant allotment from the relief fund is $3.9 billion.
- $260 billion to expansion and reform of the unemployment insurance program, including an additional $600 per week for anyone receiving state unemployment insurance
- $13.5 billion for elementary and secondary education for formula grants to states
- $14.25 billion for higher education emergency relief to defray expenses for institutions of higher education, such as lost revenue; technology costs associated with a transition to distance education; and grants to students for food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare and child care.
- $350 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses that retain workers, and $27 billion in other small business supports.
- $400 million for states to help prepare for the 2020 elections. Funding can be used, for example, to increase the ability to vote by mail, expand early voting and online registration, and increase the safety of voting in person by providing additional voting facilities and more poll workers.
- $100 billion to ensure healthcare providers receive support for COVID-19-related expenses
- $425 million to address mental health and substance use disorders as a result of the coronavirus
- pandemic.
- $275 million to expand services and capacity for rural hospitals, telehealth, poison control centers and
- the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
- $500 million to support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s global health efforts.
Help for student loan borrowers:
- Codifies Trump administration’s initiative to suspend interest from accruing on student loan debts (for Direct Loans and federally held Federal Family Education Loans).
- Suspends student loan payments for six months (for Direct Loans and federally held FFELs), while still counting those months toward public service loan forgiveness and income-driven repayment.
- Halts involuntary collections of wages, tax refunds and Social Security benefits to pay back student loans.
- Provides flexibility in timelines required for qualifying service for Teacher Loan Forgiveness and Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant recipients.
- Provides a tax incentive for employers to help pay their employees’ student loans, through the end of the year.
Payments to individuals:
One-time $1,200 check for individuals making up to $75,000 per year, or $2,400 for couples earning less than $150,000. Payments are scaled down for individuals earning between $75,000 and $99,000 and couples earning between $150,000 and $198,000, and are phased out altogether for those above the income thresholds. Also provides an additional $500 per child.
Worker and transparency protections on government loans:
- No stock buybacks or dividends for the length of any loan provided by the Treasury plus one year.
- Restrictions on any increases to executive compensation.
- Protects collective bargaining agreements.
- Real-time public reporting of Treasury transactions under the CARES Act, including terms of loans, investments and other assistance to corporations.
- Prohibition on businesses controlled by the president, vice president, members of Congress, and heads of executive departments getting loans or investments from Treasury programs.
- Creates a Treasury Department special inspector general for pandemic recovery to provide oversight of Treasury loans and investments, and a Pandemic Response Accountability Committee to protect taxpayer dollars.
- Creates a Congressional Oversight Commission to enhance legislative oversight of pandemic response.
AFT has created summary documents of the bills, which are accessible at the links below:
- Summary of S.3548 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act
- Summary of Unemployment Provisions in the CARES Act
Senator Gary Peters has provided updates for Michigan residents on the CARES Act. You can download the factsheets at the links below:
We will keep you updated as details regarding implementation of the CARES Act become available.
- AFT: Taking Care of Yourself in Difficult Times
- Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- National Association of School Psychologists Guidance on Talking to Children About Coronavirus
- National Alliance on Mental Health Resources for COVID-19
- Centers for Disease Control Information on Preventing Illness
AFT Announces New Benefit for Trauma Coverage
The AFT is offering a new benefit—Trauma Coverage—because we know that our members, while fully focused on serving their communities, often neglect to seek help and healing for their own personal traumas. This innovative program uses the latest communication technologies—phone, text and video—to assist members whenever needed, wherever a member may be. Sessions with highly trained, licensed therapists are completely private and offered free to all active working members, including those on leave status. The broad list of covered injuries is both work-related and beyond, including:
24/7
- Aggravated assault
- Domestic violence
- Sexual assault
- Mass shootings/terrorist acts
- Major disaster
At Work
- Bullied, harassed or threatened
- Traumatized by witnessing a violent incident
- Infection by contagious disease
- Secondary trauma
We’ve heard from so many of you who want to offer assistance to people who may be in need during this crisis, which is a testament to the commitment education professionals have for the community. In addition to reaching out to your friends and neighbors and assisting those who are unable to go to stores or otherwise struggling, below are some opportunities to help:
State of Michigan Seeks Supplies and Financial Donations for Health Care Workers
The State of Michigan is collecting and managing financial, material, and in-kind donations to be used to meet the most pressing needs of Michigan residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All donations will be tracked by the Michigan Community Service Commission, the state’s lead agency on volunteerism.
Donations will support the delivery of critical community-based services and interventions that address and mitigate the impacts created by COVID-19.
Material donations needed include:
- Hospital gowns
- Ventilators
- Sanitizer (hand/wipe)
- Gloves
- Surgical Masks
- Maksa N95-N100
- No-touch thermometer
Donations and questions can be directed to the Michigan Community Service Commission at covid19donations@michigan.gov or (517) 335-4295.
State of Michigan Volunteer Coordination: Call 211 or visit mi211.org
From Governor Gretchen Whitmer:
If you have the ability and would like to help, there is a role for you. Please call 211 to sign up to be on the central registry for volunteers to assist those most vulnerable. You can also find resources or sign up to volunteer at MI211.org.
Assisting with Food Distribution to Families in Need
In addition to working directly with your local union and school district, we recommend interested members support their local food banks which can be identified through Feeding America.
The contact info for some major regional food banks is below:
- Gleaners Community Taylor Distribution Center, 734-946-6374, 25678 Northline Rd, Taylor, MI 48180, USA
- Gleaners Community Joan & Wayne Webber Distribution Center-Warren, 586-758-6815, 24162 Mound Rd, Warren, MI 48091, USA
- Greater Lansing Food Bank, 517-853-7800, 919 Filley St, Lansing, MI 48906, USA
- Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeast Michigan-Detroit, 313-923-3535, 2131 Beaufait St, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
- Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank, 616.784.3250, 864 West River Center Drive, Grand Rapids
- South Michigan Food Bank, 269.964.3663, 5451 Wayne Road, Battle Creek, MI 49016
- Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, 810.239.4441, 2300 Lapeer Road, Flint, MI 48503
- Food Gatherers, 734.761.2796, 1 Carrot Way, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
- Forgotten Harvest, 248.967.1500, 21800 Greenfield Road, Oak Park, MI 48237
Giving Blood through the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross now faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood, click here to find a donation center near you.
Donating blood is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood. Watch this video on the safety and need for blood donations. Right now, eligible and healthy donors are strongly urged to make an appointment to give soon. But please postpone your donation for 28 days following travel to China and its special administrative regions, Hong Kong and Macau, as well as Iran, Italy and South Korea, or if you’ve been diagnosed with or have had contact with anyone with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. What to Know about Coronavirus and Our Enhanced Blood Donation Safety Protocols
Coronavirus Tele-Town Halls
On Thursday, July 31, State of Michigan Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun joined AFT Michigan President David Hecker and MEA President Paula Herbert to answer questions about the public health and safety implications of returning to in-person learning. Click below to play a recording of the town hall.
On Thursday, April 2, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined members of AFT Michigan, AFSCME Council 25, and the Michigan Education Association and answered questions about the implementation of the order to close schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. Click below to play a recording of the town hall.
On Monday, March 23, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and State Superintendent Michael Rice joined members of AFT Michigan, AFSCME Council 25, and the Michigan Education Association for a discussion of the impacts of COVID19 on public education. Click below to play.