Michigan League for Human Services Public Policy Forum
Thursday, October 29, 2009
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Lansing Community College West Campus
Stimulus Dollars at Work in Michigan
Agenda
Welcome & Opening Remarks by Sharon Parks, League President and CEO
Presentation by Leslee Fritz, Director, Michigan Economic Recovery Office and Questions
Presentation by Panel Members and Questions
- Charles Overbey, Director of the Office of Health and Human Services, State Budget
Office
- Arnold Weinfeld, Director, Public Policy and Federal Affairs, Michigan Municipal
League
-
Kim Sibilsky, Executive Director, Michigan Primary Care Association
- Kacie Kefgen, Director of Communications and Member Services, Middle Cities
Education Association
Presenters
Leslee Fritz, Director, Michigan Economic Recovery Office
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm tapped Leslee Fritz to lead the newly created Michigan
Economic Recovery Office (ERO) on February 13, 2009, one day after the passage of the
American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. The ERO is responsible for coordinating with state
agencies to ensure that Michigan’s Recovery funds are used effectively and transparently to
create jobs, jump-start the economy and protect citizens during this time of economic challenge.
Before taking on the role of ERO director, Fritz served the Granholm administration as a
Senior Project Manager, Communications Director for the Office of State Budget and Deputy
Communications Director for the governor.
Prior to joining the governor’s team, Fritz worked as staff director for the Senate Democratic
Caucus. She was a partner in the Phoenix Consulting Corporation, based in Jackson, Miss. and
has served as Communications Director for the Michigan Democratic Party. Fritz holds a
bachelor’s degree in political science from Albion College.
Charles Overbey, Director of the Office of Health and Human Services, State Budget
Office
Charles Overbey has been the Director of the Office of Health and Human Services in the State
Budget Office since October 2003. Budget development and implementation for the Department
of Human Services and the Department of Community Health are in his unit.
Overbey started his state career with the Department of Human Services in 1972 and
worked in DHS until moving to the State Budget Office in 2003. DHS experience includes
determining eligibility, providing employment services, and a range of administrative functions in
planning, evaluation, and policy analysis. Overbey was the Director of Policy Analysis and
Program Evaluation when he moved to the State Budget Office.
His education includes a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a master’s
degree in social work from the University of Michigan.
Arnold Weinfeld, Director, Public Policy and Federal Affairs, Michigan Municipal League
Weinfeld has been with the League since November 2004. As the Director of Public Policy and
Federal Affairs, Weinfeld serves as the League’s lead lobbyist in Washington DC, coordinating
federal advocacy efforts and working directly with Michigan’s congressional delegation and
national local government advocacy organizations such as the National League of Cities. In his
public policy role, he is responsible for the planning and development of new programs,
services, publications, and outreach strategies to support the League’s broad policy initiatives
and related programming. He also serves as President of the Michigan Municipal League
Foundation, where he works to coordinate the Foundation mission of educating local officials
with that of League programs.
Before coming to the MML, Weinfeld worked for the Michigan House of Representatives in a
variety of capacities including legislative aide, policy analyst and policy director. He also served
as an elected member of the Waverly Community Schools Board of Education from 1994-2002
where he held the positions of Treasurer and Board President. He is currently Treasurer of the
Waverly Education Foundation. Weinfeld is a graduate of Michigan State University where he
received his bachelor’s degree in social science.
Kim Sibilsky, Executive Director, Michigan Primary Care Association
Sibilsky has over 28 years of experience working to improve access to health care for
underserved populations throughout Michigan and the nation. Bringing community development
and finance experience to her position as executive director of the Alcona Health Center in
Lincoln, she then worked with Michigan State University and six other universities and 32
underserved counties as Center Director of the Northern Michigan Area Health Education
Center. Through the next ten years, she did national consulting in health systems development
and worked with the National Rural Health Association as Deputy Director for Policy and
Program.
All of this experience prepared Sibilsky for her current position as Executive Director of the
Michigan Primary Care Association. Her responsibilities include supervising and coordinating
the activities of a statewide primary care association including membership services, grant and
contract administration, health systems development and strategic thinking in improving access
to care and reducing health disparities for people in Michigan.
Kacie Kefgen, Director of Communications and Member Services, Middle Cities
Education Association
Kefgen works for the Middle Cities Education Association as the Director of Communications
and Member Services. Her duties include public relations and policy work. She previously
served as a legislative aide for state Representative Joel Sheltrown. While in the House, she managed the
representative’s education initiative to reform Michigan’s high school graduation requirements.
Kefgen is a graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University with a
bachelor’s degree in International Relations
Live, from the historic Colwell Opera House at Genesee County Park’s Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad in Flint, Michigan, it’s the “Huckleberry Radio Hour”. The Emmy Award winning live radio variety show is the first live radio variety show produced in Michigan in a generation. And on November 28, at 7:00 pm the Huckleberry Radio Hour will be streamed live from the historic Colwell Opera. People from all over the earth will see and hear the Huckleberry Radio Hour – 