The Home Rule Charter of Macomb County was adopted by the citizens of the County in November 2009 and became effective January 1, 2011. The Charter created a new Department of Health and Community Services, mandated to:
- Supervise and carry out county public health and community service programs, and
- Supervise and carry out environmental protection programs.
The charter also created an Office of Senior Services (OSS) within Health and Community Services (HCS) to:
- Coordinate the operations of the county that provide services for the aging and senior citizens, and to
- Serve within county government as the advocate for senior citizens.
Note: As of 10/1/2022, OSS is once again a stand-alone department under HCS. Responsibility for the county's financial and programmatic interest in MSU Extension - Macomb County was also assigned to Health and Community Services.
The Department of Health and Community Services, serves as an integrator for the services, programs and activities of four departments: Health Department, Macomb Community Action, Office of Senior Services, and Michigan State University Extension (MSU Extension).
Health and Community Services Departments
Health Department
The Health Department provides a wide range of services related to environmental health, family health, disease control, and community health. The Health Department includes five major divisions that serve Macomb County.
Family Health Services
The Family Health Services Division works to protect and promote the health and well-being of families through programs that offer education, family strengthening and preventative clinical services.
Environmental Health
The Environmental Health Division provides environmental health services designed to assure a safe and healthy environment for all county residents.
Disease Control
The Disease Control Division focuses on reducing the occurrence and impact of communicable diseases on residents of Macomb County.
Health Planning and Promotion
The Health Planning and Promotion Division is actively involved in the programs and offerings that promote resources and programming to support community wellness.
Medical Examiner
The Medical Examiner’s office investigates deaths due to violence, accidents and those not attended by a physician.
Macomb Community Action
MCA is part of a national network of over 1000 local organizations that help people move from poverty to economic stability and self-sufficiency.
Community Action Center Services/ Emergency Services
Emergency services offerings include programs ranging from utility assistance, rent and mortgage assistance, financial empowerment, and water assistance. The Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP) assists those struggling to pay their water bill.
Housing Services and Weatherization Assistance
Housing services help eligible homeowners to repair and improve their homes. The Weatherization assistance program performs installation of energy efficient improvements to conserve energy in Macomb County homes.
Transportation
The transportation program provides transportation to essential medical appointments and other specific locations for eligible Macomb County residents.
Head Start 0-5 Early Education
Head Start partners with each child’s family to promote school readiness and provide a wide range of services, at no cost, to income-eligible families.
Community Food Bank of Macomb County
Through a network of over 55 pantries and hunger relief organizations, the food bank supplies food at no cost to stock pantry shelves throughout Macomb County.
Office of Senior Services
The Office of Senior Services has a variety of programs and supports for individuals age 60 years and older, as well as resources and education for caregivers.
Dining Senior Style
Dining senior style is a daily lunch program that provides an opportunity to have a well-balanced meal while engaging in social activities with peers.
Goldenberry Adult Day Caring Center
GoldenBerry Center is for older adults diagnosed with dementia. Participants are provided a safe, welcoming, stimulating environment that promotes independence.
Friendly Caller
Program volunteers reach out over the phone to connect with Macomb County seniors interested in a friendly social conversation. It’s a no-pressure, informal, social call.
Handy Helpers
Handy helpers provide limited assistance with home maintenance tasks and heavy-duty cleaning.
Information and Assistance
The dedicated and trained team provides information and assistance to Macomb County seniors to identify needs, assist with accessing benefits and providing resources.
Senior Loan Closet
Walkers, wheelchairs and canes available for loan to Macomb County seniors. We also accept donations of these items.
Meals on Wheels
Delivering a ready to eat, nutritious meal, Monday through Friday to homebound seniors age 60 years and older.
Safe at Home
Home injury prevention focuses on improving home safety and preventing falls.
MSU Extension
Helping people improve their lives by bringing the vast knowledge resources of Michigan State University direct to Michigan residents and communities.
Agriculture and Horticulture
Expand your agriculture and horticulture knowledge while exploring MSU Extension’s many resources, programs and courses.
4-H Youth Development Programs
Offering a diverse range of topics and interest areas, 4-H is the largest youth development organization in Michigan for young people, ages 5-19.
Business Development
Support from the MSU Product Center to help entrepreneurs in the business sectors of food, agriculture, and natural resources define and launch innovative products.
Community Food Systems
Resources and programs to develop local food policy councils, farm-to-institutional purchasing, food hubs and farmers markets.
Government and Community Vitality
Programs and offerings for communities, municipalities, and counties that promote vibrant, engaged communities. Some examples include civic engagement, economic development, fiscal management, public policy, and tourism.
Health and Nutrition
Educational opportunities on how to prepare nutritious meals on a budget, techniques to handle food safely, food prep and preservation, and ways to be physically active.
Housing and Financial Education
Assistance for potential homeowners to help them understand the complex home-buying process and learn the true costs of home ownership.
Natural Resources
Educational subject matter areas include the Great Lakes, composting, septic systems, groundwater, and residential water.
Michigan Sea Grant
Support to assist individuals, coastal communities and businesses, and government agencies develop Great Lakes resources and exercise good stewardship.
Social and Emotional Well-Being
Working to promote healthy relationships through the social, mental, psychological and spiritual aspects of life.
The Department of Health and Community Services carries out its mandate through the services, programs, and activities of constituent agencies. The department increases the effectiveness and efficiency of those agencies by lowering barriers between them and actively seeks ways to maintain and improve the health and well-being of all Macomb County citizens.
Mission, vision and values
Our mission
To enhance the ability of Macomb County's health and community service agencies to promote community well-being, and to assure the basic human needs of county residents are met.
Our vision
Macomb County residents lead healthy lives in supportive communities.
Our values
We are accountable for providing information and delivering services in a manner that empowers individuals in an environment without judgment.