[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6656064,"mediaKeyId","5343106-47fb7d0b8365edef848285e8530486a2","parentId",5343106,"title","Vista Maria says policies followed, describes repairs and expanded clinical services after reported incidents","audioSeconds",1028,"startMs",1822000,"endMs",2850000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5343106-47fb7d0b8365edef848285e8530486a2&start=1822&end=2850","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5343106-47fb7d0b8365edef848285e8530486a2/thumbnail_1822000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6656064/Wayne-County/Michigan/Vista-Maria-says-policies-followed-describes-repairs-and-expanded-clinical-services-after-reported-incidents","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656064-e5f5c65dd44c49ef73585b8b743ec7ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190503&Signature=h~i6CRoSLn2ntSuoa2wDC4UZJQI3jlVb6q0RF~-6SJlifCq3RAIMkvJmmhlpDfmmeGJdNTbrAc2KJZv2ckBuQwcxpjwo1flldeqN8tCDkSgyjYnmm94wZj57XEDcFA0-hnV-aE2rQuq3NvG6JNYm8WgKtgS~PMMFTcnrED6GKzxw-J8yKkKMOkV8pdP5gQL7SMTiKzXVBg26L4WcB~1MHplOZ-kqIqChkKjwQxaWfbQZREjkPg9MXFv6l2LE327cGNXJ6eqB3HtdleGrHJjoGnHJ9wd23-ifrg7ZIDbEvlRCR8Ba0xQYV6bQFpllOoAD4fdWLI5xwkbtTPOHW8t2MA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-10T01:09:49.067Z","article","Representatives of Vista Maria briefed the Wayne County Health and Human Services Committee on the agency’s recent actions to strengthen safety, clinical services and facilities after media coverage of incidents at its residential campus.

Meredith Reese, identified as operating officer for Vista Maria, told the committee the agency has partnered with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) during investigations and that allegations reported in media coverage were investigated and found to be unsubstantiated. \"Many of those allegations ... were investigated and found to be unsubstantiated,\" Reese said, and she described ongoing weekly calls with MDHHS leadership to review progress.

Reese said Vista Maria has completed extensive repairs to four buildings that house residents and has spent \"close to almost $500,000\" on those repairs. The agency also reviewed and enhanced staff training and supervision and added clinical programming, including aggression replacement therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and increased access to therapists trained in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), to address youth with acute mental‑health and trauma needs.

Committee members pressed the agency on specific incidents reported in the media. Commissioners asked whether existing protocols were in place and followed when a young person left campus. Reese said perimeter fencing, campus security and staff procedures are in place to prevent unauthorized departures, and that staff follow de‑escalation techniques, accompany youth who leave, notify law enforcement and contact parents/guardians and MDHHS as required. She said Vista Maria conducts a debrief with young people upon return to determine what could be done differently.

Commissioner Killeen asked about Vista Maria’s funding and referrals. Reese said the bulk of funding for residential treatment comes from the state of Michigan via per‑diem contracts and that placements come through state department referrals with court orders when required. The committee discussed broader system issues, including limited availability of mental‑health beds and pressures on the foster care system; commissioners urged greater state‑level attention and funding.

Reese said Vista Maria merged operations with Insight Youth Development Connections to expand community‑based services and noted that the agency operates residential programs, independent living for older youth and foster‑care placements.

The committee thanked the agency for the briefing; no formal action was taken during the presentation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Health & Human Services 7/8/25","oneSentenceSummary","Vista Maria told the Wayne County Health and Human Services Committee it has strengthened policies, undertaken nearly $500,000 in repairs to four residential buildings, and expanded clinical programming after media scrutiny; the agency said investigations found allegations unsubstantiated and that protocols were followed when a youth left campus.","taxTitle","Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",2829,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6656069,"Wayne County committee accepts $74,480 MDHHS grant amendment for emerging threats planning",1323,497000,1820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5343106-47fb7d0b8365edef848285e8530486a2&start=497&end=1820","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5343106-47fb7d0b8365edef848285e8530486a2/thumbnail_497000.jpg","/articles/6656069/Wayne-County/Michigan/Wayne-County-committee-accepts-74480-MDHHS-grant-amendment-for-emerging-threats-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656069-73911cddcb698d82f5e911b95be2d586/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190503&Signature=oU2LH3I~~P9ehMn8I1GqhIjtd2B4Q73EmDD88ke51vSC0ua2ET1bKUl75LPlbONK4pLRUCwdety8~KWaPFKejthrt41iVTvg-aMLz~An3oF4dTNo3c26enPwoiThQWu20dq5P~8iEzCszDhivRG1N-tHQkKtdEQTh-cybsfdpFXO4clDGEa8jUGDL1Ui3gfTzYCIIzCYShl-WpSFYqgmJNvG7rSxGgsBd0Np0OFlyR-qS4KrmQrSvJ5am4H6fWjnpmU8srdCqmR-mY8I4CZ7V2r3S5a186du93GS~NpEDk0wPplJia5GwpVBoW8xdrCGw1nQpORt5vuUxFSD11W4aQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wayne County Health and Human Services Committee approved forwarding to the full commission an amendment adding $74,480 from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) under the county’s Emerging Threats Local Health Department grant agreement. Dr. Sheth, chief medical officer for Wayne County Health and Human Services, said the funds are one‑time and intended to address urgent public health needs, including preparedness related to measles and seasonal respiratory viruses.

\"This is a one‑time additional funding of $74,480 to address urgent needs ... in terms of public health needs, infectious disease, emerging threats,\" Dr. Sheth said. He told the committee Wayne County had no confirmed measles cases so far in 2025 but that statewide and national outbreaks warranted continuing surveillance and planning. He said about 90 percent of kindergarteners in the county meet vaccine requirements, below the approximately 95 percent needed to prevent measles outbreaks.

Commissioners asked about local preparedness and public messaging. Commissioner Anderson expressed concern about national changes in vaccination policy and asked whether the department had plans for media or outreach work. Dr. Sheth said the county is partnering with schools and back‑to‑school fairs to offer vaccinations, has run measles and seasonal vaccination social media campaigns, and plans a forthcoming media push for influenza and COVID vaccinations.

The committee also discussed vector‑borne disease surveillance. Dr. Sheth said the county conducts mosquito pool surveillance and works with partners to mitigate positive findings; he confirmed the department monitors Lyme disease and other tick‑borne illnesses and will share state resources for public awareness.

Commissioner Killeen clarified that the emerging threats funding is delivered under an agreement adjacent to the county’s comprehensive CPBC agreement and that COVID‑era funds have been bundled in recent years under this emerging threats line. After discussion, the committee voted to forward the MDHHS grant amendment to the full commission; a voice vote indicated approval.","The committee approved forwarding an amendment to the county’s Emerging Threats Local Health Department grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for $74,480 to support preparedness for measles, respiratory viruses and other emerging infectious threats.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6656074,"Wayne County committee backs amendment to extend RightTrack juvenile diversion program",362,170000,532000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5343106-47fb7d0b8365edef848285e8530486a2&start=170&end=532","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5343106-47fb7d0b8365edef848285e8530486a2/thumbnail_170000.jpg","/articles/6656074/Wayne-County/Michigan/Wayne-County-committee-backs-amendment-to-extend-RightTrack-juvenile-diversion-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656074-55268eaef2aca2d4939a9b8ce07dfb6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190503&Signature=NHTitLVsIhkZs9aTjbdMlYkkqaGPGx7ViF9jxLrlGxZyyRsr4M~5rvkEgzED6cf~DZ8EOl-5uWCG2-f0dOLzzb1Mc6LgxGfoz10oTl9crk5B8Ht4pTThOvW0TtFM0k4uOa~riHIhrRm~Tc~oiOiIwxIGGZIYp6XByUvQ1WWkL31bYG5D8jOQTqyNIO4mfOCxWS78uGfeTp3XreBOETkkn9QCYkNB4qQ7KPBaKbnbanR9lGZoUWhFElvZAV~u3N949r6UmB3ZWAXXFslSq7nHFFgd9zOaKKn~fZJzFpKLorWdWTlp7kVOqj~HpQzanWGaeUstNOqFimTkM2SaEIDgfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wayne County Health and Human Services Committee voted to forward to the full commission an amendment to a four‑year memorandum of understanding with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office to continue the RightTrack juvenile diversion program for fiscal year 2026.

Melissa Fernandez, director of juvenile and youth services for the county, told the committee the amendment covers $475,236 for the program and urged approval to avoid sending more young people into the formal juvenile justice system. \"The amount is $475,236,\" Fernandez said. \"The RightTrack program has given proven responses, and it is a tremendous savings to the county not having to put these juveniles through the full juvenile justice system.\"

Fernandez reported that in 2024, 270 young people went through RightTrack with a 93 percent success rate, meaning those participants did not formally enter the juvenile justice system. Committee members asked for more longitudinal data on recidivism and trends over multiple years; Fernandez said that information is included in the department’s annual report and offered to provide an excerpt summarizing multi‑year outcomes.

Commissioners pressed several operational questions. Commissioner Killeen asked who decides whether a young person is eligible; Fernandez said the prosecutor’s office makes the final determination and identified Robert Heimbook as the chief of juvenile services who makes the final call. Committee members also clarified the county’s role: Fernandez said the county contracts with providers for initial contact, oversees progress and maintains program statistics.

After discussion the committee approved the motion to forward the amendment to the full commission; committee members voiced their support during a voice vote.

The committee did not adopt detailed amendment language during the meeting; the vote forwarded the amendment for consideration by the full commission.

As requested during the discussion, county staff will provide a multi‑year excerpt from the annual report showing program completions and any available follow‑up on participants.","The Health and Human Services committee voted to forward an amendment to a memorandum of understanding with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office to continue the RightTrack diversion program for fiscal year 2026, citing a $475,236 allocation and high program completion rates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Vista Maria says policies followed, describes repairs and expanded clinical services after reported incidents

Wayne County committee accepts $74,480 MDHHS grant amendment for emerging threats planning

Wayne County committee backs amendment to extend RightTrack juvenile diversion program