LANSING — State Representative William Bruck says Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services is failing in its basic job of protecting children.
Bruck, who serves on the House Oversight Committee, questioned DHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel about cases in Monroe County where Children’s Protective Services did not step in, even after deputies found two young children and their family living in unsafe conditions. Local law enforcement and nonprofits provided help instead.
Bruck also pointed to problems with the state’s food assistance program, saying in a statement, “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. As a business owner, a 10% error rate would never fly.”
Bruck says the committee will continue pressing DHHS for accountability and better protection for Michigan’s most vulnerable residents.