Michigan Implements New Children’s Services Administration’s Caseworker ‘Teaming’ Model Statewide

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has fully implemented a new child welfare caseworker staffing model using a team-based approach, replacing the state's former system in which a single caseworker managed all aspects of a family's case. MDHHS announced plans to launch the teaming model in March 2025 in selected counties. On June 25, 2026, the department announced that the model had been implemented statewide.

Under the teaming model, each core team, called a pod, includes investigators, case managers, supervisors, family resource specialists, and family team support staff. The pods coordinate to address families . . .