South Michigan News

State Rep. William Bruck raised concerns about the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) during a House Oversight Committee hearing on Tuesday. The focus was on the department’s response to child welfare cases in Monroe County.

Bruck questioned DHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel regarding reports from Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough. According to the sheriff, his deputies encountered two young children, their mother, and grandfather living in poor conditions inside a tent and, at another time, in a car. The sheriff reported that state officials failed to provide adequate communication or intervention over several months starting in 2023.

“Law enforcement noted that one of the children had a severe case of head lice and could not remember the last time she took a shower,” said Bruck, of Erie Township. “It’s embarrassing that when given the opportunity to come clean, the director chose to instead waffle on what defines child abuse or neglect. It came across that any correcting steps that may have been taken came far too late. Director Hertel went so far as to claim that CPS stepped in and provided care — when in reality, it was Sheriff Goodnough and local nonprofits who took action to support the kids.

“What would the department do differently or how would they update their policies to protect kids who may find themselves in a tragic situation like this and ensure their well-being? Somehow, CPS was unaware at times this family wasn’t in a shelter. Who was ultimately accountable for that lack of awareness? We were never told. I would have liked to have heard the answers to that vital information instead of the papering over of past missteps.”

Bruck also highlighted issues related to whistleblower protections within DHHS and criticized errors with federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit distribution. He pointed out that DHHS has a 10 percent error rate in SNAP benefits.

“There are only a few corporations in Michigan that take in more money than DHHS, and the department has a 10 percent error rate in SNAP benefit distribution,” Bruck said. “As a business owner, a 10 percent error rate would never fly. Customers or shareholders would not put up with it, but somehow in government it’s accepted and there’s little accountability. That’s wrong.”

During the hearing, committee members discussed other topics with Director Hertel including child welfare concerns, mental health care services across Michigan, instances of welfare fraud, and unfilled full-time positions despite being budgeted for them.

“We consistently hear from the department about being underfunded,” Bruck said. “I don’t believe the department needs to hire more people to do the job. Children are not being protected — and in some cases are tragically dying — due to the failures of DHHS. Yet not a single employee has been identified as having been reprimanded or fired. Director Hertel said she needs more people. They do not need more people. They need the right people who understand the importance of follow-through. Going forward, our committee will continue to provide critical accountability for a department that has showed it is clearly struggling to fulfill its role.”