MI CReSS Community Survey Focus Groups

What are the MI CReSS Community Survey focus group discussions?

The Michigan COVID-19 Recovery Surveillance Study (MI CReSS) survey was launched in June 2020 with the goal of learning about Michiganders’ experiences before, during, and after their COVID-19 illness. More than 5,500 Michiganders participated in the first MI CReSS survey, and we have since launched two follow-up surveys to learn about the long-term effects of COVID-19 on people who have tested positive. We have learned a lot about COVID-19’s impact throughout the state of Michigan, but health and social consequences of the pandemic continue to evolve, and we need to understand its impact on communities that are underrepresented in our initial MI CReSS surveys.

The MI CReSS focus group discussions are a collaborative effort between the University of Michigan School of Public Health (UM SPH) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). These focus group discussions offer us a deeper understanding of the challenges certain communities faced during the pandemic. With your help, we can better understand how to direct ongoing public health response efforts and develop policies and resources to help Michigan residents who may have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. 

Who is conducting the MI CReSS focus group discussions?

Researchers at the University of Michigan will be conducting the focus group discussions. 

Why was I contacted to participate in the focus group discussions?

You are eligible for the MI CReSS focus group discussions because you may self-identify as part of a priority population, including people with disabilities, people of color, people living in rural areas, and people who are currently or were recently on Medicaid. We would like to hear about how the pandemic may have affected your life and your community, as well as any of your experiences with COVID-19 illness and Long COVID. This information will help us to better understand the challenges certain communities faced during the pandemic. Your contributions are invaluable to the health and well-being of others in your community and the state of Michigan. 

Will my answers be kept private?

All information provided during the focus group discussion will be kept completely private to the extent permitted by law. Identifying information will be removed from any responses and will be stored separately from the data collected as part of this project. No one will be identified individually in the reports developed from the focus group discussions, and all publications will be reviewed to ensure that privacy is maintained.

Your name and mailing address will be used only to contact you and provide compensation for your time and efforts. Your name will never be attached to any of the responses you provide during the discussion. No one else—including any employees at the University of Michigan and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services—can connect your answers to your name. Extra steps are being taken to ensure your privacy. 

It’s been a while since I’ve had COVID, or I’ve never had it. Can I still participate in the
focus group discussions?

Yes, your participation in this study is invaluable. While your story is unique, it may have similarities to others who resided in Michigan during the pandemic. Because we cannot interview every single person in Michigan, we have selected a diverse group of people to represent Michiganders from priority populations. Your answers help speak for others who may be like you in terms of your age, race or ethnicity, where you live in Michigan, and other parts of your life. 

Is there any compensation for participating in the focus group discussions?

All participants who participate in the focus group discussion will receive a gift card as compensation for their time and efforts.