Michigan's Women, Infants & Children program, providing supplemental nutrition, breastfeeding information, and other resources for healthy mothers & babies.
Information on the Family Independence Program, State Disability Assistance, SSI, Refugee, and other cash assistance.
If you cannot afford child care, payment assistance is available.
Children's Special Health Care Services information and FAQ's.
Information on assistance with home repairs, heat and utility bills, relocation, home ownership, burials, home energy, and eligibility requirements.
Information on the Food Assistance Program, eligibility requirements, and other food resources.
Information about the health care programs available through Medicaid and how to qualify.
Our migrant program works with a number of organizations to provide services for Michigan’s migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
A federal program which helps persons admitted into the U.S. as refugees to become self-sufficient after their arrival.
Universal caseload, or task-based processing, is a different way of handling public assistance cases.
Information on the Children's Protective Services Program, child abuse reporting procedures, and help for parents in caring for their children.
Information on adoption programs, adoption resources, locating birth parents and obtaining information from adoption records.
Information on Adult Protective Services, Independent Living Services, Adult Community Placement Services, and HIV/AIDS Support Services.
Information on child support services for participants and partners.
Programs for healthy children & families, including immunization, lead poisoning prevention, prenatal smoking cessation, and many others.
Information on the Children's Foster Care program and becoming a Foster Parent.
Information about the Michigan law that requires certain information be made available to a woman who is seeking an abortion at least 24 hours prior to the abortion procedure.
Information on treatment and services for juvenile offenders, success stories, and more.
Child Welfare Medical and Behavioral Health Resources
MDHHS and partners support a continuum of prevention services. The continuum is inclusive of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention activities. Visit this page to learn more.
Information about injury and violence prevention programs in Michigan
Information on Safe Sleep for your baby, how to protect your baby's life.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' (MDHHS) Environmental Health Bureau (EHB) uses the best available science to reduce, eliminate, or prevent harm from environmental, chemical, and physical hazards.
Resources and information to assist in assuring firearm safety for families in the state of Michigan.
The Division of Victim Services (DVS) provides a voice advocating for and responding to all victims of crime in Michigan. Learn more about DVS-funded programs and services, including Michigan’s 24/7, free, confidential, and anonymous domestic violence and sexual assault hotlines.
Medical Resources for Child Protection
Serves as liaison and provides funding to Michigan’s 45 local health departments.
Adult Behavioral Health & Developmental Disability Services
Multicultural Health
Prevention of diseases & conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and many others.
Information on communicable & chronic diseases.
Home to an array of public health programs, initiatives and interventions aimed at improving the health and well-being of women, infants, families and communities.
Birth, Death, Marriage and Divorce Records
Boards and Commissions
Bridge Card Participation Information on Electronic Benefits for clients and businesses, lists of participating retailers and ATMs, and QUEST.
Provider Payments Information on the direct deposit of State of Michigan payments into a provider's bank account.
Information on How to Bid, Requests for Proposals, forms and publications, contractor rates, and manuals.
Information & resources for Community and Faith-Based partners
Information on DHS Applications and Forms grouped by category.
State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP)
Health Care Providers
Licensing information for Adult Foster Care and Homes for the Aged, Child Day Care Facilities, Child Caring Institutions, Children's Foster Care Homes, Child Placing Agencies, Juvenile Court Operated Facilities and Children's or Adult Foster Care Camps.
Michigan Statewide Systems of Care
Information on the grant awarded for the State Innovation Model Proposal
Protect MiFamily -Title IV-E Waiver
Offers resources for agencies who operate the Weatherization Assistance Program in the state of Michigan
Information on resources in your community and volunteer recruitment and training, and services provided at local DHS offices.
Information is collected to monitor the general health and well-being of Michigan citizens.
Equal Opportunity, Legal Base, Laws and Reporting Welfare Fraud information.
A variety of reports & statistics for programs and services.
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What should I feed my baby?
Congratulations on your new baby! The right nutrition will give your baby the best start. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast milk for the first year of your baby's life. Breastfeeding and human milk have many advantages for both mom and baby. Breastfeeding support is one of the benefits provided by the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. To learn more about the health benefits of breastfeeding, contact your local WIC office. Whether you choose to give your child breast milk, formula, or a combination - feeding your baby is a special time to bond with your child.
When can I give my baby food?
Feed your baby breast milk or formula throughout the first year of life. Add solid foods when your baby shows signs of being ready (typically around 6 months; you can also ask your doctor what's best for your baby). Breast milk and formula provide all the nutrients that your baby needs for the first 6 months of their life. There is no benefit to starting solid foods before your baby is ready. After your baby turns 6 months old, WIC will provide infant foods such as cereal and fruits and vegetables; breastfed babies will also receive infant meats.
Adding cereal to the bottle is not recommended for most babies. It can lead to excessive weight gain, choking, and, in babies younger than 4 months, an increased risk for allergies. The best way to provide cereal is from a spoon when your baby is developmentally ready.
Make learning to eat solid foods a pleasant experience for your baby. Clues your baby may be ready for other foods include:
What should I feed my baby?
Traditionally, a single grain infant cereal was recommended as the first food to give your baby; however, there is no medical evidence that introducing food in any specific order is best. When introducing new foods to your baby it is important to wait a few days in between introducing each new food to watch for signs of an allergic reaction. If your baby does not like a food the first time he tries it, wait a few days and try it again. It can take many times of trying a new food or texture before your baby will accept it. Do not force your child to eat if he is crying, closing his mouth, or turning his head away.
Feed your baby a variety of fruits, vegetables, iron fortified infant cereals, and proteins. To minimize the risk of choking, feed your baby thin purees and then gradually move to thicker textures as your baby is ready. Avoid adding sugars and salt to your baby's food. Most babies are ready for finger foods around 8 months when they can pick up soft chunks of food, put it in their mouth, and chew on their own.
What should my baby drink?
Your baby should continue to drink breast milk or formula until their first birthday. When your child begins to eat solid foods, you may offer a small amount of water daily. Your child cannot drink cow's milk yet because it does not provide the right nutrition for babies under 1 and can be too harsh on your baby's digestive system. Infants under one year of age should not have juice. While it is never necessary to give your child juice, after 1 year any juice given should be 100% pasteurized juice, only given in an open cup (not in a bottle or sippy cup), and never offer more than 4 ounces per day.
How is my baby growing?
Follow the growth of your baby with your doctor to be sure your baby is growing enough.
Babies usually double their birth weight in four to six months and triple their birth weight by one year of age.
Resources
For more tips on caring for your baby from the American Academy of Pediatrics visit www.healthychildren.org
The WIC Program provides healthy foods, nutrition advice, breastfeeding support. If you believe your baby qualifies for WIC, contact 211 for the phone number of your local WIC Office.