Michigan

Things to know...

Details that are different from state to state and may make your posting just a little bit easier!

• Weather & Natural Disasters
  Michigan’s weather is defined by cold, snowy winters, with temperatures often dipping below freezing and heavy snowfall, especially near the Great Lakes. Summers are warm and pleasant, with temperatures typically in the 70s and 80s, though humidity can make it feel hotter. The state is prone to winter storms, including lake-effect snow, and occasional severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in the warmer months.
  
  Tornados
  Michigan’s peak tornado season spans from April to July, with an average of 15-20 tornadoes annually. While most tornadoes are not severe, the state has a warning system in place, and it’s important to know your local emergency procedures. If a tornado warning is issued, seek shelter immediately in a basement, storm shelter, or interior room away from windows.
  
  Winter Storms
  Winter storms are the most significant weather hazard in Michigan, particularly from November to March. The state experiences heavy snow, freezing rain, and ice, which can lead to hazardous travel conditions and power outages. In these events, you may want to have emergency kit with blankets, food, and water, as well as to keep your vehicle stocked with winter supplies like a shovel, and extra clothing.
  
  Receiving weather warnings, alerts and updates through multiple means will ensure that you and your family can be prepared and act quickly. NOAA weather radio, local weather broadcasts, outdoor sirens, wireless emergency alerts (if you switch to an American area code), weather apps, and social media are all great tools to receive national and statewide disaster and emergency alerts.
  
  For more in-depth information, check out ready.gov, a national campaign aimed at educating and empowering individuals to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies and disasters.
• Neighbourhoods
  Cities: Warren
  Warren is home to the Detroit Arsenal, a U.S. Army installation specializing in military vehicle development and testing. CAF families may look for housing options in the Detroit metropolitan area which is 17 miles southwest of the Detroit arsenal or in Warren which is more of a suburban atmosphere and family-friendly environment.
  
  Use this tool to help you learn more about a community. You can get information on schools, home values, weather, population and more > Access the Military One Source Neighbourhood Navigator.
   
• Base Information & Resources
  For more detailed information about each base, including contact information and specific services offered, you can visit Military One Source and select your state followed by your installation or click the links below. USAG Detroit Arsenal, located in Warren, Michigan, serves as a hub for military and civilian personnel, offering essential administrative and research functions. While the installation does not have on-post healthcare facilities, eligible beneficiaries can access medical services through network civilian providers within the TRICARE North region.
  
  Spouses and dependents with valid Department of Defense (DoD) identification cards have access to these bases.

  • Detroit Arsenal does not have a commissary or exchange, however these services are available at the nearby Selfridge Air National Guard Base, approximately 20 miles north of the installation. Detroit Arsenal does provide various MWR facilities including recreational programs and services. Additional services include a marina Located on Lake St. Clair - 24/7 access is only available for Common Access Card (CAC) or Military ID card holders. For the most updated information on Detroit MWR facilities and services > visit Detroit MWR
  • Selfridge Air National Guard Base offers a commissary, exchange, and various Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities. Amenities include a fitness center, the Selfridge Military Air Museum, and outdoor recreation. The base also provides community programs and family support services. For the most updated information on Selfridge Air National Guard Base MWR facilities and services > visit 127th Wing. **Please note that members will need to submit an Extended Visit Request to access Selfridge, and dependants may not be eligible to access base facilities.

   

   
• Getting Around
  Warren is primarily car-dependent, with easy access via I-696 and Mound Road. Traffic can be busy near the GM Tech Center and major industrial areas. Public transit options include SMART bus routes connecting Warren to Detroit and surrounding suburbs, though most residents rely on personal vehicles.
• On-Base Medical Treatment Facility
  The following medical groups provide comprehensive medical care to CAF Families who have been enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and have TRICARE eligibility.
  
  Since Detroit Arsenal lacks a comprehensive military treatment facility, eligible beneficiaries, including active-duty family members, retirees, and their dependents, access health care through the TRICARE network of civilian providers. To find applicable healthcare providers, use the Provider search function on the Tricare website by visiting > Tricare Website and click on “Find a doctor”
• Critters & Wildlife
  Michigan is home to wildlife such as venomous snakes like the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, as well as ticks that can carry Lyme disease, particularly in wooded areas. The state also has insects like mosquitoes, ants, and occasional encounters with black bears in more rural regions. Compared to Canada, Michigan has a wider variety of insects and reptiles due to its temperate climate, so routine pest control is recommended to manage ticks, mosquitoes, and other pests during the warmer months.
• Children's Education
  There are several public schools along with a French immersion School within a 25-mile radius of Warren.
  Detroit
  Detroit Public Schools Community District  
  
  Warren

  • Warren Consolidated Schools
  • Warren Woods Public Schools
  • Van Dyke Public Schools
  • Center Line Public Schools
  • Fitzgerald Public Schools
  • Eastpointe Community Schools

  French School of Detroit is a private, bilingual French immersion school that offers a comprehensive bilingual and bicultural education from preschool through high school. The curriculum aligns with the French Ministry of Education and is complemented by immersion experiences in local public schools, specifically through a partnership with the Birmingham Public Schools district. This collaboration provides students with a robust bilingual education, preparing them for future studies in both French and international institutions.
  
  **Enrollment Considerations: As a private institution, FSD has specific admission requirements and tuition fees. It's advisable to contact the school directly to obtain detailed information on the application process, deadlines, and any assessments that may be required.
  
  Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural Studies School (FLICS): is a public school offering partial-immersion programs in four languages: French, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish. Serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade, FLICS integrates language learning with cultural studies, providing a diverse and immersive educational experience. As part of the Detroit Public Schools Community District, FLICS primarily serves residents within the district.
  
  It is highly recommended that you utilize your installation’s School Liaison Officer, who is available to offer valuable information on local school districts, serve as a bridge between the military community and school administrators, and provide expert consultation on educational matters.
  
  Click here for School Liaison Officer information and contact for Fort Huachuca. To find the most updated contact information for a School Liaison Program visit Military One Source Program and Services Contacts and select School Liaison Program and your location.
   
• Childcare
  Child Development Centers
  Child development centers (CDCs) generally offer childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Care is available Monday through Friday, with some locations offering options such as extended hours, weekend care and respite care. Child development centers vary in size and larger installations may operate multiple facilities. Programs are certified by the Defense Department and accredited by a national accrediting body, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children
  
  For a full list of all military-operated childcare programs, including Child Development Centers, Childcare programs, before- and after-school care, as well as summer and holiday camps – visit MilitaryChildCare.com. Here you can enter in your location or Military installation and find a comprehensive list of all Childcare programs as well as initiate a request for childcare through child development centers, school-age care programs and DOD certified family childcare providers.
  
  Additional Child and Development-related resources:

  • Zero to Three is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the healthy development of our nation’s infants and toddlers
  • Birth to Five watch me Thrive is a podcast from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Early Childhood Development provides information for parents about celebrating milestones, the importance of health screenings, how to identify delays and early concerns and how to provide developmental supports for children.
  • Exceptional Family Member Program works with other community and military agencies to make sure military parents have the early intervention services their infants and toddlers need.
  • Thrive — a free, online parenting program that promotes positive parenting, stress management and healthy lifestyle practices.
  • The Military Child Education Coalition is a nonprofit organization that promotes partnerships and provides for networking of military installations and their supporting school districts. 
  • The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children is designed to make transitions smooth for families moving to a new duty station. 
  • Military K-12 Partnership between the DOD and the Department of Defense Education Activity, has all of the services working with educators and administrators across the nation to provide quality education for all children of military families. 
  • Exceptional Family Member Program can help families navigate the DOD’s network of services and support if they have a child with a disability or special need.
  • The MWR Digital Library is a free, online resource for service members and their families that offers a wide variety of activities and materials for all ages. 
  • Sesame Workshop has various toolkits to help military families with young children handle the challenges of military life.
  • Military OneSource education consultants provide one-on-one, free and confidential services. These consultants can provide referrals to in-home tutors and tutoring centers in their area as well as public and private school information. They enable parents to speak to specialists with various areas of expertise. They include the New MilParent specialty consultation, designed for expectant parents and parents of children up to the age of 5 which provides support for a wide range of parenting issues
• Automobile Registration, Plates & Licenses
  The Michigan Secretary of State provides guidelines for transferring out-of-state titles and licenses.