Elizabeth Hertel

Director, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

[Elizabeth Hertel @MDHHS_Director]

Proud to join @GovWhitmer and others to break ground for the William Schma House. @MichiganHHS continues to make key investments to ensure people in MI have the SUD recovery supports where and when they need them.

[Michigan HHS Dept @MichiganHHS]

.@MDHHS_Director joined @GovWhitmer, other leaders and partners to break ground on The William Schma House, a new housing community in Kalamazoo that will provide safe, affordable homes and on-site support for people working to sustain long-term recovery. https://t.co/4RIlr7w8wf

[Michigan HHS Dept @MichiganHHS]

.@MDHHS_Director Hertel visited with officials at Hegira Health's newly opened psychiatric residential facility, and DWIHN's Integrated Crisis Care Campus to discuss the state’s continuing commitment to expand access to behavioral health care.

More info: https://t.co/yynwnIFUSG

[Elizabeth Hertel @MDHHS_Director]

Proud of the progress we've made together to improve access to care.

[Governor Gretchen Whitmer @GovWhitmer]

No state can pick up the massive tab the federal government is dropping on us. What we can do is make health care more convenient and more affordable.

Over the past 7 years, that's exactly what we’ve done.

[Elizabeth Hertel @MDHHS_Director]

Great to meet with @MichiganHHS staff in Saginaw Co. to hear how they're doing with the teaming model. Teaming brings together a core team, or pod, of employees to encourage additional collaboration, wrap supports around a family & help keep kids safe.➡️https://t.co/4O2s0vS0hy

[Elizabeth Hertel @MDHHS_Director]

Thank you @GVSU for hosting the 2026 Health Economic Insights. Proud to share @MichiganHHS’s — and our partners’ — continued efforts and progress toward keeping kids safe, supporting the health care workforce, and improving access to health care for all people in Michigan.

[Elizabeth Hertel @MDHHS_Director]

@GovWhitmer 2/2🧵This proposed budget would allow @MichiganHHS to continue our essential work of protecting the health, safety, and prosperity of MI families and individuals.
Read more ➡️https://t.co/YGGuCBWmxZ

[Elizabeth Hertel @MDHHS_Director]

@GovWhitmer's FY27 budget proposal:
✅Ensures access to vital health care services for residents
✅Strengthens MI's health care workforce
✅Expands behavioral health capacity
✅And provides access to critical programs like Medicaid & SNAP
1/2 🧵

[State Budget Office of Michigan @MIStateBudget]

As federal changes create new challenges, this budget takes practical steps to protect Michigan’s health care system, bringing new for Medicaid, supporting care workers, expanding behavioral health services, and maternal health. #MIbudget

[Michigan HHS Dept @MichiganHHS]

.@MDHHS_Director this week toured Forgotten Harvest's On-the-Go pantry in Taylor and helped individuals select groceries at no cost to them. MDHHS, with Forgotten Harvest, offers these mobile food pantries on a monthly basis at select offices in Oakland, Macomb & Wayne counties.

[Elizabeth Hertel @MDHHS_Director]

In 2025, @MichiganHHS made a lasting difference for millions of people in MI. Grateful for our employees and community partners who make it possible. Let’s keep the momentum going in 2026!

[Elizabeth Hertel @MDHHS_Director]

Adoption Day is a powerful reminder of what the promise of love, support, and stability means in a child’s life.
@MichiganHHS is honored to stand with families and partners helping children find safe, permanent homes. Congratulations to all who finalized adoptions this week!

[Elizabeth Hertel @MDHHS_Director]

No one should go hungry. Resources are available to ensure everyone in Michigan has access to nutritious food during federal delays to SNAP.

[Michigan HHS Dept @MichiganHHS]

Michigan 2-1-1 provides free, confidential assistance and referrals to local food programs and support services.

Visit https://t.co/R2RkrrYnZJ to enter your zip code. The search tool immediately provides details on food pantries and other resources in your area.

[Elizabeth Hertel @MDHHS_Director]

Looking forward to joining national leaders at @CWLAofficial 2026, where @MichiganHHS will present our innovative CSA teaming model and the positive impacts it’s building for families across the state.
Learn more: https://t.co/YYHewkeQ0g

[Elizabeth Hertel @MDHHS_Director]

The federal government’s delay of SNAP benefits will place people in MI at risk of food insecurity and poverty. SNAP is more than a food assistance program; it’s a lifeline for many MI families.

[Michigan HHS Dept @MichiganHHS]

“The impact of households losing SNAP benefits will be felt around the state,” said @MDHHS_Director. We are strongly disappointed by the USDA’s decision to delay this assistance, and in Michigan we will do what we can to help blunt this impact.”

Details: https://t.co/xxtgB1AtkE.

[Michigan HHS Dept @MichiganHHS]

“The fiscal year 2026 budget will allow the dedicated staff of the MDHHS to continue its critical work of protecting the health, safety and prosperity of Michigan families.”

Read @MDHHS_Director’s full statement here: https://t.co/OwJhYWYerD.

[Michigan HHS Dept @MichiganHHS]

MDHHS is committed to ensuring the health and safety of Michigan families and providing timely state guidance to health care providers and residents that adheres to the highest scientific, evidence-based standards. For more info, visit https://t.co/b4zMSXY3vI.

[Elizabeth Hertel @MDHHS_Director]

Great to be back at Andy's Place for the opening of the Mark McDaniel Apartments. Housing is essential to families and individuals in their recovery journey and I'm proud of @MichiganHHS' investments
in places that support long-term recovery and strengthen families.

[Elizabeth Hertel @MDHHS_Director]

Great to join @WayneState to break ground on their new Health Sciences Research Building, designed to bring research, clinical care & community engagement under one roof.
This project supports goals we care deeply about at @MichiganHHS: improving health care access & outcomes.

[Michigan HHS Dept @MichiganHHS]

.@MDHHS_Director met w/ staff at the MDHHS Allegan County Office to participate in the first of its kind Children Services Administration teaming model designed to improve outcomes for Mich. families & improve the experience of MDHHS employees.

More info: https://t.co/f0pYvAjYdk

[Elizabeth Hertel @MDHHS_Director]

@MichiganHHS This collaborative approach reduces handoffs, builds trust, and increases stability for families.
I'm grateful to our dedicated staff helping to shaping this model as we work to keep kids safe and strengthen MI families. Read more: https://t.co/IX1Lrs5Uf8

[Elizabeth Hertel @MDHHS_Director]

Yesterday at the Allegan Co @MichiganHHS office, I saw our new CSA teaming model in action—where investigators, case managers & support staff work together from day one to meet each family’s unique needs. 🧵