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Highfields CEO urges state support to preserve family-preservation services
Summary
Brian Filson, CEO of Highfields, told the House Families and Veterans Committee that prevention-focused, in-home and school-based services keep children out of foster care, that demand for placements remains higher than supply, and he asked lawmakers to protect provider funding amid federal and Medicaid uncertainties.
Brian Filson, chief executive officer of Highfields, told the Michigan House Families and Veterans Committee that preserving community-based family-preservation programs is both better for children and cheaper than out-of-home placements.
Filson spoke to the committee after Chair Schmaltz introduced him and described Highfields as a longstanding provider. He summarized Highfields’ work and statistics, said the agency serves 10 counties, and urged continued state support for provider rates and cost-of-living increases so organizations can continue prevention work.
Filson said Highfields now operates three divisions — residential, educational and community services — with the bulk of the agency’s work in community services and education. He said Highfields runs five educational sites in Jackson County, four in Ingham County and one in Eaton County, with roughly 30 children served each day at each location. Filson described…
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