Ismael Ahmed

The Giveaway Gallery: Sweepstakes

2010-10-29T08:08:00.000-07:00

The Giveaway Gallery: Swimtown Pools Photo Hunt Sweepstakes

Scour our website at www.swimtownpools.com - and if you find the picture of the yellow pool safety cover, click on the image to find instructions on how to enter to win.

For Bloggers/Twitterers/Referrers
Promote our giveaway through social media platforms or on your blog. Entrants will be asked to tell us where they heard about our giveaway when they submit their entry. A referrer will be randomly selected and will receive a $25 gift card to Amazon. Please be sure to link back to the official rules on this page: http://www.swimtownpools.com/swimming_pool_safety_covers_s/293.htm#contest)

To view the complete rules page visit - http://www.swimtownpools.com/swimming_pool_safety_covers_s/293.htm#contest

Enter our contest today for a chance to win!

Ismael's Blog Has Moved to Another Site

2009-11-18T08:56:00.000-08:00

Thank you for visiting the blog of Ismael Ahmed. We have consolidated into one blog, located here. We look forward to seeing you at that site.

Thank you.

7th Annual Cherish the Children Event

2009-07-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Michigan’s youth are our most valuable asset. Sadly, more than 350 children in Michigan are victims of abuse and neglect every single day. Fortunately, there is a way you can help Michigan children.

The 7th Annual “Cherish the Children” Signature Event will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009 at the Lansing Center. The Michigan Children’s Trust Fund strives to protect Michigan’s children and their “Cherish the Children” event raises money to help Michigan children by auctioning small or large packages donated by participants or from the local business community. This event features the movers and shakers of Lansing’s political and business scene all working together to help protect Michigan future – our children.

Businesses can help out in two ways. They can either become a sponsor by donating anywhere from $500 to $25,000, or by donating a gift to be auctioned as part of the live auction. Donations can either be larger, dream packages or smaller gifts that can be part of the on-line silent auction. Either way, all donations and gifts are welcome. If you are not in a position to sponsor the Signature Event, donations and participating in the live or on-line auctions is encouraged.
This is a great cause and I strongly urge you to consider participating in the 7th Annual “Cherish the Children” Signature Event.

Michigan Creates Program to Help Eliminate Senior Abuse

2009-07-16T09:13:00.000-07:00

Elderly abuse has increased 40 percent since 2008 with an astonishing estimate of 73,000 Michigan seniors being abused each year. In times of economic distress, it is even more important to be watchful and take preventative measures to stopping elderly abuse.

Far too often, elderly abuse goes unreported. Some seniors don’t admit they are suffering from abuse because they feel it questions their independency or because they are afraid the abuse will get worse.

Fortunately, there are programs such as Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT) to lead in supporting victimized seniors. SALT’s mission is to raise awareness of crime and security issues related to the elderly. SALT acts as a liaison between seniors and local police departments and provides updates on any fraudulent activity that may occur that could affect seniors.

SALT provides seniors with information on home security and personal safety and also identifies reoccurring problems, such as fraudulent activities and scams, and recommends programs that will benefit senior citizens.

In Flushing, Mich., SALT provides and installs safety items such as smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, dead bolt locks, 911 light switches and 911 reflective signs are available to residents 62 years of age or older. SALT volunteers also reach out to seniors that live alone by personally calling them and providing personal interaction for those that may feel isolated.

Preventative measures need to be taken to stop elderly abuse and SALT provides a great initiative and helping hand to the victims of such a horrible crime. To find the SALT program in your community contact your local police department.

Protecting the State's Vulnerable Seniors

2009-07-10T13:43:00.000-07:00

The number of older adults that are victims of abuse and exploitation is astonishing. As the director of Michigan’s Department of Human Services it is my goal to improve the lives of senior citizens and protect them from abuse.

Senior abuse is one of the most underreported crimes in the country and has increased rapidly here in Michigan. The DHS adult abuse hotline received more than 1,400 referrals on the topic of financial exploitation in 2008 alone. This includes not only the victims of scam artists, but those who have been exploited by family members as well.

With one in five adults being abused, neglected or exploited, it’s about time we take action to protect our senior citizens. It is our mission here at DHS, and mine as director, to protect the state’s vulnerable seniors.

Last month, a panel of experts held a discussion to educate seniors to help them protect themselves from fraud. The advice provided dozens of seniors from the Grandville Senior Neighborhood Center with advice and answers.

Many people think of abuse only as physical abuse, however there are many situations of financial exploitation taking place. Scams include mailings and phone calls seeking personal information as well as construction companies overcharging for work that doesn’t need to be done. Victims including Meta Bok, a resident of Grandville, Mich. are targeted everyday by scam artists seeking their confidential information.

Bok recently received a letter in the mail stating she had won a large amount of money. The letter asked for her personal information and to not tell anyone about the letter. Bok knowing the signs of fraud realized this was a scam, but unfortunately not everyone is as lucky.
Majority of those that take advantage of vulnerable senior citizens are family members and primary caretakers. These financial exploitations come in many forms such as emptying their savings accounts and using their credit card without permission. Signs to look for are lost checkbooks, disappearing valuables and missing bank cards.

Thank you again to Grandville Senior Neighbors Center for hosting this discussion. It is important to provide valuable information that will help our seniors and their assets.
For more information, please visit the DHS Web site at www.michigan.gov/dhs, and additionally you can view my profile on DHS Web site.

About

2009-06-19T11:39:00.000-07:00

Hello! My name is Ismael Ahmed and I am currently the director of Michigan’s Department of Human Services. The Department of Human Services works to bring help and hope to people in need in Michigan. As director, I am working diligently with the department and its partners to decrease poverty and improve the lives of children and vulnerable adults.

A little more about me: In 1973, I co-founded the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), the largest Arab-American human services organization in the United States. I became executive director in 1983 where I was responsible for the overall operations of the organization as well as the administration of the Arab American National Museum.

I enjoy writing and am a contributing author to Arabs in America: Myths and Reality and have also been a contributing author for the Woodrow Wilson Foundation publication, Arab American Political Participation in the United States. I graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Secondary Education and a minor in Sociology in 1977.

Welcome to the Blog of Ismael Ahmed, director of the Michigan Department of Human Services

2009-06-06T21:11:00.000-07:00

Welcome of the first post of the blog of Ismael Ahmed, director of the Michigan Department of Human Services. Mr Ahmed leads the State of Michigan's 2nd largest agency.

Please return often for more posts. In the meantime, please visit the official website of Ismael Ahmed here.