[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6486686,"mediaKeyId","5479198-9383d50457fc23bdd11f4054b846f9c1","parentId",5479198,"title","Ottawa County CMH board approves FY2026 operating budget and forwards it to county commissioners","audioSeconds",2654,"startMs",6416000,"endMs",9070000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5479198-9383d50457fc23bdd11f4054b846f9c1&start=6416&end=9070","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5479198-9383d50457fc23bdd11f4054b846f9c1/thumbnail_6416000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486686/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Ottawa-County-CMH-board-approves-FY2026-operating-budget-and-forwards-it-to-county-commissioners","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486686-31d1362879b55adb2fcd1a1407039c02/orig.mp4?Expires=1774981555&Signature=iVeC9y-iDM8y8-lXvIoHiieZd88~zFQAyiqICeQ0WNh60lhvW413K-DDGemcmxaPxPX9p47tK36rH1wqhl3~wdQ~amejLeTVALgXyVXI96EDb2UUAK0CtEDb0j~wHdWUo5N8pcg3iLBHzt~WyA3Yluxn6CJ3Sg585WObxIz44rQfocAP9S5BJnJaEI2JXIn7V2H0GkCaQCrOseGZVoJAXh3nlszZrO~Cza3yF08LxmI4A7fM8xE072mWIk3MtHn1aQCorqIP7KSIqlgB3-PaSm93v~nnZiS7YJuMIvZAKdLRKSs5PPPhod7DCvCRs7B-brjnWhZQBebigGZIBTtCeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","miOttawa","date","2025-07-25T15:40:21.783Z","article","The Ottawa County Community Mental Health Board approved its proposed fiscal-year 2026 operating budget Friday and forwarded the recommendation to the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners for final adoption.

Finance staff presented the proposed budget and calendar: the board approved the recommended budget at the July 25 meeting, the County Board of Commissioners will receive a preliminary presentation on Aug. 5, a public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 2, and formal county adoption is expected on Sept. 23. Staff said a final regional payment schedule and state rate confirmations are expected by November, at which point some budget line assignments may be adjusted.

Board members pressed finance staff on several assumptions underpinning the recommended budget, including whether the budget reflects the $2.59 million in Medicaid funding Dr. Brashears said the legislature had restored to the system and whether Medicaid enrollment churn tied to federal and state policy changes could reduce revenues going forward. Finance staff said the recommended budget incorporates revenue adjustments made during 2025 (including CCBHC and autism-related changes) and that some line-item assignments may shift when the November regional PPS and state figures are finalized.

The recommended budget included assumptions about expenditures: a three‑year trend analysis for operating expenses, projected client increases in community living supports and specialized residential (staff used a 10% projection for those services), and a 5% increase in autism-related costs. The budget proposal also contained seven proposed new full-time positions, application of a 3% cost-of-living assumption and health‑insurance increases applied at the county level. Board members asked for more detail on salary and vacancy trends; staff agreed to provide an itemized reconciliation to the finance committee.

Motion and vote: A board member moved to approve the FY2026 operating budget as presented and forward it to the County Board of Commissioners. A roll-call vote followed: Director Juritzma — yes; Director Fackler — yes; Director Roddy — yes; Director Davis — yes; Director Vandersweig — yes; Director Wenzel — yes; Director Savage — yes; Director Bunce — no; Chair Bird — yes. The motion carried.

Why it matters: The budget funds daily operations, staffing and contracted services, and board members linked budget assumptions to the residential-cost findings and the restored Medicaid funding. Several members cautioned that further federal or state policy changes affecting Medicaid enrollment or eligibility could alter revenue projections and require midyear adjustments.

Next steps: Staff will forward the approved recommended budget to the county administration and provide the finance committee with the detailed salary and position reconciliation requested by board members. The board’s budget schedule provides opportunities for public comment at the county-level hearing in September.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 25, 2025 CMHOC Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board voted to approve the agency's recommended fiscal-year 2026 operating budget and to forward it to the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners for adoption; members debated revenue assumptions, Medicaid enrollment risks and staffing changes before a roll-call vote carried the motion.","taxTitle","Ottawa County, Michigan","taxId",3875,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486690,"Board appoints an Ottawa County director to LRE Region 10 board amid debate over representation",2322,5086000,7408000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5479198-9383d50457fc23bdd11f4054b846f9c1&start=5086&end=7408","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5479198-9383d50457fc23bdd11f4054b846f9c1/thumbnail_5086000.jpg","/articles/6486690/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Board-appoints-an-Ottawa-County-director-to-LRE-Region-10-board-amid-debate-over-representation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486690-cdb54b6d834e82b4007968e99b93fe98/orig.mp4?Expires=1774981555&Signature=nGudJ~QbrhS2QzsQVc-OQijn5iv2NtqG~HhS2pXrjUH9~2xvYxOjBfLsHvexMR~xUuwN9FMlXrtRnl5nUeM~~qzx-nmRhSVi2O~k9D1o8vur7t3FRqfpqAgaAQX4t1~goWvp4V7GCup85OSXYZAQgfJHRIdSiGpho422hE4L~sLjynKMVVI6kQGuH9PY1Es23awp7ryeZqltnIejYQRTJE3qzzAqqBME62sqlK1LBCR5BRdLVG-drQG67F6atSy~2hUIXpLaPcwf1-RMkc8h~-cj-VleLnI8ayG~n~V~sgbt8LxlfT~EA5KNs0s8d06uM8LcTB0~CnHO3IjndGog6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ottawa County Community Mental Health Board voted Friday to appoint a sitting county director to the Local Regional Entity (LRE) Region 10 board after a presentation from LRE CEO Mary Marlott Dumas about the entity’s purpose and commitments.

Dumas, the LRE Region 10 chief executive, told the board that the LRE’s responsibilities include administering provisions of the state mental-health code as laid out in the LRE bylaws and operating agreement, managing Medicaid specialty supports and services delivered under 1915(b)/(c) waivers, and ensuring a comprehensive array of local services across the seven-county region. She described the LRE board as a policy board, saying \"the board shall not directly operate the entity\" but rather set policy for the CEO to carry out.

Dumas outlined the time commitment and logistics for directors: a typical monthly schedule includes a one-hour work session, a lunch, and a two-hour board meeting — generally the fourth Wednesday of each month — with meetings held at the Muskegon Innovation Hub. She also said the LRE seeks geographic and lived-experience diversity on its five-member board and prefers directors with a primary residence in a member county.

Board members discussed whether the Ottawa CMH board should appoint one of its own members to the LRE and whether that representation materially affects LRE decisions. Several members said direct representation improves local communication and advocacy for county-specific funding while others noted a regional hat is required when serving on the LRE board.

After nominations, the board appointed Director Bob (last name not specified in the record) to fill the open LRE seat by voice vote. The appointment carried after in-meeting nominations and one volunteered declination; the board chair announced, \"All those in favor of appointing Bob for the position to the LRE board respond by saying aye... Opposed, same sign. Congratulations.\" The board did not record a roll-call tally for the LRE appointment.

Why it matters: The LRE governs regional Medicaid specialty services and is a partner in rate-setting and contracting; having a local CMH director on the LRE board gives Ottawa County a direct presence in regional policymaking, supporters said. Dumas and board members said the region’s structure could be important if the state pursues changes that centralize procurement or alter regional boundaries.

Next steps: The newly appointed director will receive orientation and the LRE will continue outreach to member counties; Dumas offered to provide quarterly updates to the CMH board. The appointment fills an open seat previously held by Sarah Hogan and is effective immediately.","The CMH board nominated and appointed a board member to the Local Regional Entity (LRE) Region 10 board; presenters described the LRE’s role, board time commitment and regional responsibilities, and members debated the value of direct CMH-board representation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486694,"Ottawa County CMH details rapid growth in children’s services, autism and crisis changes",1397,3164000,4561000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5479198-9383d50457fc23bdd11f4054b846f9c1&start=3164&end=4561","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5479198-9383d50457fc23bdd11f4054b846f9c1/thumbnail_3164000.jpg","/articles/6486694/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Ottawa-County-CMH-details-rapid-growth-in-childrens-services-autism-and-crisis-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486694-53f58aaf1de3ba4516c70949d99f7120/orig.mp4?Expires=1774981555&Signature=MG6MUlUVSuhJRSIHKrzO6r7D6oFBNxdkRVGCUBriJ9~uI0i9zmitaiNu4YKYfV5YvUu5TqiIVGdf8D7ga81rp34NbT7xuyxk2I7kfXtbvVA1Wvc0-BWEe4RjPvAIudkXz6BJi6iQ96Uu5yMNSmvO6l~2tr~JqgFEeZTC2oQIb9qz2U45huGpSw~HXqWThEiFwrpOdbUGytqvfgpedsqkYQWmGsSASN9jXYQPXtd44VbAA7GOhEUwv0rMSYTh6V~CG99bZyhTc6zNxCkiP227XuVQTOf4-GSjalu6Dh-UHoPJsujTZNvQNZWhXd-r8aF0wVu3HzAw6KQp6oBGdx9clg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Katie Clousing, who returned this year to lead Family Services at Ottawa County Community Mental Health, briefed the board Friday on a rapid expansion of children’s services and detailed steps staff are taking to meet demand.

In a prepared presentation, Clousing said Family Services treats the child within the family system and updates treatment plans every 90 days because needs can change quickly. \"We are family driven, youth centered,\" she told the board, outlining four program areas: services for children with serious emotional disturbance (SED), services for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, substance-use services for youth, and autism services.

Clousing described the SED program’s three tiers: infant mental-health services (prenatal to age 4) delivered in-home and measured with the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA); outpatient therapy for children ages 5–18 (often provided by contractors such as Bethany Christian Services, Second Story and West Michigan Psychological); and intensive home-based services with low caseloads (typically 10–12 clients) and frequent school coordination. She said the SED waiver can be a pathway to Medicaid for children whose families have commercial insurance and that waiver slots generally are available when requested.

Regarding children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Clousing said schools often provide many services, and the agency currently has 14 children on the state children’s waiver. She said the children's waiver is harder to secure than the SED waiver, and wait times vary.

Autism services are the fastest-growing segment of Family Services. Clousing said the access process begins with a screening at intake; if a child scores above a threshold on the social-communication questionnaire, staff open the case and assign a supports coordinator while families choose among certified evaluators. \"We contract with 17 different agencies right now to provide that,\" she said. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services are authorized based on the evaluating agency’s BCBA report; ABA benefits are available up to age 21. She added that wait times and availability vary by agency, geographic area and preferred service model (center-based versus in-home).

Clousing acknowledged staffing pressures: several home-based therapist vacancies had recently been filled after long recruitment efforts, but overall vacancy rates remain a challenge. Board members and staff discussed vacancies and hiring approvals; Dr. Brashears said some vacancies remain frozen until county authorization is secured.

Clousing also outlined crisis services: children's mobile crisis currently operates evenings through midnight under a System of Care grant, but the program will move under the agency’s CCBHC crisis operations and expand to 24/7 on Oct. 1, per CCBHC requirements. She said bilingual services are available through System of Care partners, naming LaWOOP and Empowerment Solutions as collaborators.

Why it matters: Rapid enrollment and growing autism-related demand — Clousing said autism services account for roughly 60% of Family Services’ budget — are driving staffing requests, contracting decisions and budget planning. Board members asked about outcome measurement; Clousing said evidence-based practices require routine outcome reporting and the agency collects those data.

Board direction: The presentation was informational; no formal votes were taken on program changes at the meeting. Staff said they will continue recruiting for critical vacancies, track service outcomes, and move children's mobile crisis into CCBHC oversight on Oct. 1.

","Division head presented a detailed overview of Family Services: infant mental health, outpatient therapy, home-based care, SED and children's waivers, autism evaluation and ABA services, staffing shortages, and a planned transfer of children's mobile crisis into a 24/7 CCBHC crisis program on Oct. 1.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486696,"Ottawa County CMH reports $2.59 million Medicaid restoration, flags high-cost residential 'outliers'",531,2184000,2715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5479198-9383d50457fc23bdd11f4054b846f9c1&start=2184&end=2715","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5479198-9383d50457fc23bdd11f4054b846f9c1/thumbnail_2184000.jpg","/articles/6486696/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Ottawa-County-CMH-reports-259-million-Medicaid-restoration-flags-high-cost-residential-outliers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486696-01f7792d7f497f75cd5932f731da8bb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1774981555&Signature=aMa9W9~S7lEXOxwIFfPKIj8RMwxSmvaodqsb0ZogHRMAY7W4hqOw~ZI7~nN5bX2m3viKipvwMzp4vTjjQW9Sckq3h85zqmbBQEbbWum~EZuv6gEG3pI5wvJKOXL3VF4pBwNk3djbWXOnzfjkH1e4YbFehKjX9ZdhCSZpK2ibUMQDrLF2Jp1VFCrk-StBa79b3tSNVaOWVtbuhdVXAsaNeXbUNey4AJMeG0HEIkgV-YwuqUa845q8eylhO8br1YR~aLJSTiLtrFYlL5pb80zJ6dU3it~OhDtQ~Ln2TTDcHlsj10AklLoZoAjK4lQ8peN-GWqsEugvFCX9No~uaYal6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ottawa County Community Mental Health Board was told Friday that legislative advocacy had restored $2,590,000 in Medicaid funding to the county and that staff have identified a small group of exceptionally costly residential clients whose care is driving large portions of the agency's residential expenses.

At the board’s July 25 meeting, Director Dr. Brashears said the Michigan Legislature appropriated $140 million of previously withheld funds to the public mental-health system and that Ottawa County’s share of that distribution is $2,590,000. \"Our portion in Ottawa is actually going to be 2,590,000 — just got it from State sure this morning,\" he said.

The board also received a finance-committee update and a presentation of a residential cost analysis, which staff described as a multimonth effort to identify how specialized residential funding is being used. Dr. Brashears told the board that the analysis uncovered 19 individuals with service costs that together approach $5 million. \"I believe a group of individuals go far beyond what you would normally think happens in a traditional specialized residential home,\" he said. Staff said they plan to share those findings with the regional entity and the state as part of advocacy for targeted funding.

Why it matters: Board members and staff said the findings are relevant to rate-setting and state funding formulas. Dr. Brashears cautioned that, while the agency is building a level-of-care system and decision trees, nothing replaces person-centered planning: guardians and family input will remain central to placement decisions. He said the agency will hold a community meeting in mid-September to review the specialized residential level-of-care system and invite provider feedback before finalizing changes.

The meeting also included discussion of a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) proposal — still at the concept stage — to re-bid managed-care functions and shrink regional entities from 10 to 3. Dr. Brashears said the agency does not yet know the details of any Request for Proposals but called the proposal a potential threat to the current community mental-health structure. \"If the state gets its way in its general terms, it will be the end of community mental health as you know it,\" he said, and urged advocacy that would preserve local partnerships and input.

Board members pressed staff on next steps. Finance committee members and Dr. Brashears said they will submit the residential-cost analysis to the region to determine whether other community mental-health providers see similar outlier profiles and, if so, press the state for funding that recognizes that subgroup’s needs. The presentation also tied the analysis to ongoing budget work: staff said they will use the data to inform rate and resource requests to the regional entity and MDHHS.

Public commenters at the meeting underlined the urgency. A Jenison resident, Sarah Johnson, described her adult son’s severe autism-related needs and urged the board to secure funding and placements for people who cannot be safely served in typical group homes. Harbor House Ministries’ director told the board that recent rate increases have been critical for paying immediate operating costs at residential facilities.

What the board directed: Staff will present the residential-cost findings to the regional entity and convene a community meeting for providers and families in mid-September. No change to policy or contracts was approved at the meeting; board discussion was framed as direction to develop evidence and continue advocacy.

Looking ahead: Dr. Brashears said the agency will continue to press the region and state to base funding on demonstrated costs and local acuity rather than on raw Medicaid enrollment counts alone. He stressed that continued advocacy will be necessary if the state proceeds with any restructuring of regional management.

","Board heard that $2,590,000 in Medicaid funding the agency had been owed will be released to Ottawa County; staff presented analysis identifying 19 high-cost residential cases accounting for nearly $5 million and urged continued advocacy as the state considers reorganizing regional mental-health management.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ottawa County CMH board approves FY2026 operating budget and forwards it to county commissioners

Board appoints an Ottawa County director to LRE Region 10 board amid debate over representation

Ottawa County CMH details rapid growth in children’s services, autism and crisis changes

Ottawa County CMH reports $2.59 million Medicaid restoration, flags high-cost residential 'outliers'