General Info

Family Independent Agency is part of the Department of Human Services (DHS), Michigan's public assistance, child and family welfare agency. DHS directs the operations of public assistance and service programs through a network of more than 100 county department of human service offices around the state. Local offices administer the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant and food assistance program and take applications for Medicaid which is administered by the Michigan Department of Community Health. Other assistance programs DHS administers are medical assistance jointly funded by the federal government and the state; state disability assistance and state medical services program, which are funded by the state and State Emergency Relief Program; and food stamps, a federally funded program. The agency administers the child support collection and client welfare fraud investigation programs. In addition, the agency provides other services to children, adults, and families in the state. Services to adults include protective services, adult placement services, home help services, and assistance with health, housing, transportation, and educational needs. Family services include referral for employment and training, independent living services providing housing assistance, family planning, counseling, health-related services, volunteer services, refugee assistance, foster family care, transitional services to youth exiting foster care/out-of-home placements, child day care, migrant services, Native American services, and domestic violence prevention and treatment programs. These services are provided to help maintain and strengthen family life and to help families become self-sufficient.