As we continue to move forward in unprecedented times, ChampionPEO has been working nonstop to service our clients with
little to no interruptions and will continue to do as our country works towards a new normal.
It is important, however, that we, the public continue to follow the guidelines set forth by the city, local, state & national
government agencies as restrictions are slowly being lifted and businesses are given the go-ahead to reopen under certain
restrictions.

ChampionPEO is currently implementing the following:

• Office Visits: By appointment only
• Client Visits: On hold until the end of May
• Training Sessions: Conducted through video conferencing until further notice
• Covid-19 Pay: If an employee is being paid due to Covid-19, ChampionPEO will process under the pay code CO19 in
  order to keep accurate records.

ChampionPEO recommends utilizing and implementing the following links with issued guidelines:

Unemployment/UIA Michigan, along with the rest of the nation, has experienced unprecedented levels of unemployment during this crisis. Since March 15, 2.2 million eligible claimants have applied for state and federal benefits, with over $14.3 billion in benefits paid to over 2 million workers. Before the pandemic started only 5,000 claims were received each week and even during the Great Recession, the weekly high was 77,000. For more than 6 weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment claims were over 300,000, reaching a high of 388,000 in one week alone. While 94.5% of eligible claimants have received or are approved for benefits we continue to focus our work on making sure that those still waiting are provided the emergency benefits they deserve. Actions by Governor Whitmer and the Unemployment Insurance Agency have helped provide emergency financial assistance to more Michiganders: Extended eligibility and expanded access to workers who are sick or need to take care of loved ones so workers without paid time off wouldn’t have to chose between health and safety and an income. Help unemployed individuals return to work. Michigan’s Expanded Work Share program to provide partial unemployment benefits to workers who would otherwise be laid off.The program is a win-win for employers and employees helping to avoid layoffs and bring back workers faster and in greater numbers from unemployment. More that 80,000 individuals and 2,400 employers are currently participating in a workshare plan.  Employers are urged to utilize the State’s Work Share program which helps employers bring back employees from unemployment and retain their workforce. Working to Process Claims. The UIA will resolve all claims filed before May 1, by the end of this week and the agency remains focused on working around the clock to provide 100% of all eligible workers 100% of their benefits.   Workplace Safety/MIOSHA LEO has also worked with business and industry leaders to develop workplace safety guidelines and assure that as our economy reengages, we continue to protect customers, employees and the public. Launched COVID Workplace Safety resource hub. MIOHSA built a COVID-19 Workplace Safety site – Michigan.gov/COVIDWorkplaceSafety – that provides guidance and a toolkit of resources including factsheets, posters and videos to keep workplaces safe as sectors of the state’s economy reopen. Grants for COVID-19 safety. The supplemental funding bill signed by Governor Whitmer provides $8.55 million in funding to help issue Michigan COVID-19 Safety Grants. Upon launch the program awards qualifying employers a dollar-for-dollar match – up to $10,000 – to purchase safety and health related equipment in response to COVID-19. Information one the program. Hotline call center activated. On May 15, MIOSHA launched a new hotline to address employers and employees questions regarding workplace safety and health. The new hotline 855-SAFE-C19 (855-723-3219) has received more than 800 calls since launch. Gov. Whitmer appoints Sean Egan as Director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety. The appointment follows efforts to ensure Michigan workers are protected as the state slowly and safely begins to open different sectors of the economy.   Economic Development/MEDC The MEDC has deployed 15 response programs since the beginning of the pandemic to support small businesses, communities, entrepreneurs and workers in all corners of Michigan in combatting the economic impacts of COVID-19, providing support for more than 3,100 companies and helping retain more than 12,400 jobs for Michigan workers across all 83 counties in the state. A supplemental funding bill signed by Governor Whitmer will provide $100 million to MEDC for critical funding to help small businesses recovery efforts through the Michigan Restart Grants with a priority on minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses. Additionally, this supplemental will include $15 million to support our farmers and food processors, further supporting recovery in this critical sector. Tech Startup Stabilization Fund, awarded 58 early-stage tech companies with direct investments or loans to assist them during the COVID-19 outbreak. $1 million loan to Detroit Development Fund. Approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund the loan allows the Detroit Development Fund to make micro- and small business loans to small businesses in Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck, with an emphasis on businesses in economically disadvantaged areas. This support builds off the $2 million approved for both Northern Initiatives and the Metro Community Development Fund. Michigan’s Arsenal of Innovation. Businesses of all sizes answered the call and stepped up to support the state’s efforts to combat COVID-19. From manufacturers and distilleries shifting to production of PPE, to tech companies pivoting to support testing efforts, and universities researching potential treatments.   Housing/MSHDA MSHDA housing counseling agencies answer the call. Our network of agencies has partnered with HUD-certified housing counselors from around the state to provide services to residents facing financial and housing crisis due to COVID-19. Executive Order 2020-134 on preventing eviction and tax foreclosures during the crisis. This order prevents any evictions through July 15 to ensure Mchiganders can remain in their homes. Eviction diversion program will help keep residents safer at home. With the help of LEO and $60 million in Coronavirus Relief Funding (CRF), MSHDA will be administering an eviction diversion program to assist tenants and landlords after the state’s eviction moratorium ends. Improving your neighborhood. MSHDA awarded $2.1 million in Neighborhood Enhancement Program grants to 56 local governments and nonprofit groups across Michigan in June.   Employment and Training/Workforce Development The Employment and Training team has responded to these unprecedented challenges by taking aggressive steps and innovative approaches to meet the rapidly-changing needs of Michigan’s workforce. This includes moves to provide virtual learning for students with disabilities, the introduction of a virtual professional career experience for underserved young adults and modifying the state’s labor exchange system to help fill critical jobs. Boosting Sixty by 30 initiative participation. With the goal of achieving Governor Whitmer’s goal of 60% of Michigan’s workforce possessing a post-secondary credential by the year 2030, the Prosperity Team is working to launch Futures for Frontliners a program to offer tuition-free college to frontline workers.  Pure Michigan Talent Connect (PMTC) COVID-19 Job Portal. Currently, more than 2,000 Michigan employers have approximately 58,000 available jobs posted on PMTC, including more than 9,000 critical COVID-19 positions. Since mid-March, the number of job seekers on org has increased more than 300%. Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Training Center provides virtual summer classes. For the first time in 50 years the BSBP Training Center is providing distance learning courses which are currently being offered to 18 participants providing an early start at job exploration, career counseling and self-advocacy instruction. Summer Young Professionals program. LEO announced Michigan Works! Agencies (MWAs) will manage and execute the program statewide with an investment of $2 million. The program is designed to reduce youth unemployment and place young adults, ages 14-24, on the right path to gain the skills necessary to achieve lifelong economic self-sufficiency. Virtual Job Fairs. Employment and Training entered a contract with Brazen, a virtual job fair platform, to ensure Michigan can continue to meet the demands of employers and job seekers virtually. The very first event held on June 24 was spearheaded by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and focused on job seekers with an identified interest in agriculture or food-related jobs.   Prosperity Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities, the Poverty Task Force leadership is working very closely with Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, to ensure our efforts to support Michiganders living in or near poverty during the COVID-19 crisis are executed with a racial equity lens. One-stop-shop online resource guide. that provides information and resources to help low-income Michiganders navigate the challenges presented by COVID-19. Visit the Assistance for low-income families COVID-19 guide to learn more. Roundtable discussions. The Poverty Task Force plans to host roundtable discussions across the state with key external stakeholders to get feedback on our policy agenda ideas.

As we continue, ChampionPEO understands the importance of keeping our staff’s health, safety, and wellbeing a
priority, however, the health, safety, and wellbeing of our clients are just as important. We will continue to strive to make
the upcoming days and months as stress-free as possible. Nonetheless, we all need to understand that the old normal
may no longer be a way as we prepare for a new normal within our country.
As always, ChampionPEO looks forward to continuing to serve our clients.

Should you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact ChampionPEO by phone 1(313) 67-CHAMP (24267) or by email at Info@ChampionPEO.com

Respectfully:

ChampionPEO

“Winning Freedom for Our Clients to Grow their Business.”