Agency predictive model documentation (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services)

Is there a specific program you want this for Public Health, Children's Services, Medical Services, Public Assistance? or specific topic such as Covid-19?

Dear Mr. Feathers,

Thank you for your interest in public records of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (hereinafter “Department”).
Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1) Executive summaries, algorithmic impact reports, predictive model reports, and/or model validation studies dating from Jan. 1, 2017 until the present for all predictive analytics tools and automated decision systems (ADS) used by the agency. This includes predictive models and ADSs built in-house as well as those built by vendors for the agency or those used by agency employees through third-party software.

2) All contracts and statements of work regarding the purchase and/or creation of tools identified in response to part one of this request.

2) A data dictionary/library for each predictive model and ADS identified in response to part one of this request. Please note: Data dictionaries list the names of data fields (i.e. column headers in a spreadsheet), they do not contain the actual data analyzed by models.

If you have any questions regarding this request, please don't hesitate to contact me for further clarification.

I ask that all fees be waived as I am a journalist and intend to use the requested records to publish articles in the public interest. In the event you choose to impose fees, I request a detailed breakdown of the fees, including the hourly wage of each employee involved and an explanation justifying the employee hours required to fulfill the request.

Should you choose to reject this request or redact portions of responsive documents, I ask that you provide a detailed breakdown of the statutory exemptions and associated case law underlying your decision to withhold each/any portions from public review.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Todd Feathers

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Your request has been assigned the following tracking number: H013420-102621. Your request has a legally received date of October 27, 2021. You will receive a response by the Department by November 03, 2021. Unfortunately, we are unable to expedite requests and the time permitted for response by the Department may be extended beyond November 03, 2021 by ten (10) business days.
In accordance with the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq, the Department provides copies of existing non-exempt records. Records which are exempt from disclosure under state or federal law will not be provided, or records may be redacted to separate exempt information. The FOIA does not require the Department to create new records or answer queries.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the MDHHS Public Records Center and you will receive an email when your request has been completed.
Regards,
Bureau of Legal Affairs,
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST , Reference # H013420-102621
Dear Mr. Todd Feathers,

This notice is issued in response to your request, legally received by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (Department) on October 27, 2021, requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq.

In order to determine what responsive records the Department might have, it is necessary to extend the time for response permitted by MCL 15.235 §5(2)(d) until November 18, 2021.

The Department’s FOIA policies and procedures are available at Policies and Procedures.


Sincerely,

Bureau of Legal Affairs,
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

RE: Public Records Request, Reference # H013420-102621.

Dear Mr. Feathers,

This notice is issued in response to your request, legally received by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (Department) on October 27, 2021, requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq. Your request is denied. I have been unable to locate any records that match the description in your request.

To the best of the Department’s knowledge, information, and belief, this Department does not possess or maintain records under the description you provided or by other names reasonably known to the Department.

As to the denial, the Department is obligated to inform you that under MCL 15.240 §10 the following remedies are available:

1. Appeal this decision in writing to the Legal Affairs Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services, PO Box 30195, Lansing, MI 48909. The writing must specifically state the word “appeal” and must identify the reason or reasons you believe the denial should be reversed. The Department must respond to your appeal within ten days of receipt. Under unusual circumstances, the time for response to your appeal may be extended by ten business days.

2. File an action in the appropriate court within 180 days after the date of the final determination to deny the request. If you prevail in such an action, the court is to award reasonable attorney fees, costs, disbursements, and possible damages.

The Department’s FOIA policies and procedures are available at Policies and Procedures.

Sincerely,
Ruth O'Connor
Bureau of Legal Affairs