MARCH 13, 1998 - Governor John Engler is seeking nominations for the first Governor's Quality Care Awards for excellence in care for Michigan's most vulnerable citizens– children, elderly and those with special needs.

The event is sponsored in conjunction with the Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS), which licenses child and adult day care facilities, nursing homes, long-term medical care facilities, and statewide providers of these vital services. The awards will recognize outstanding care facilities and caregivers whose standard of care is above and beyond the ordinary.

"I am looking for those programs, people and places that go the extra mile to enhance the quality of life for our most vulnerable citizens," Engler said. "By recognizing their outstanding service, I want to make their high-care standards the standards for Michigan."

Criteria for the awards were developed in cooperation with leading Michigan child care and long-term care providers and advocates, long active in efforts to promote and encourage the highest standards of professionalism in Michigan's child care centers, programs for individuals with special needs, nursing homes, adult foster care, homes for the aged, and other care and service networks.

"We want to showcase those statewide facilities and caregivers that emphasize quality care –whether for kids in a daycare center, or our elderly parents, relatives, or friends in long-term care," said CIS Director Kathleen M. Wilbur. "We know we license many facilities and caregivers whose special efforts ‘feed the spirit' of those in their care. We want to let them know their efforts are valued, and we think the Governor's Award will give them well-deserved recognition."

Nominations are sought from families, nursing home residents, parents or caregiver peers across the state who have experienced or witnessed the unique brand of care that enriches the spirit. Nominations will be reviewed in April, the Month of the Young Child, and the awards will be presented in May to coincide with nationwide senior citizen activities.

Nomination forms will be distributed to all care facilities and also are available from the Department of Consumer & Industry Services by contacting award coordinator Nancy Dixon at 517/241-9219 or E-mail at: nancy.dixon@cis.state.mi.us.

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.