DWIN reports surge in users, outlines crisis centers and mobile teams for Wayne County

James White, president and chief executive officer of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, told the Wayne County Commission that DWIN served 76,839 members in fiscal year 2024 and is expanding crisis care across the county.

White presented the network's annual report and said DWIN’s provider network includes 405 providers, 999 Wayne County provider locations and 37 provider cities. "We are serving 76,000, 839 members," White said. He described inpatient admissions of 8,361 for the year and noted a particularly large youth caseload: 19,192 members aged 0–17.

The report focused on recent and planned investments to increase access. White highlighted DWIN’s 32‑bed crisis stabilization center, which opened in June 2024 and served about 1,000 individuals in eight months. He described the center’s unit breakdown as 12 adult crisis stabilization beds, a six‑bed BEST (Building Empowered and Supportive Transitions) unit and a 14‑bed children and family crisis unit. "I call it the crown jewel of DWIN," White said.

White also summarized 24/7 mobile crisis teams that respond to nonviolent calls without police and that operate in unmarked vehicles to protect privacy. He said 56% of mobile crisis contacts remain safely in the community, 30% are referred to crisis services and 14% require emergency care. "This is in addition to CIT," he said, referring to crisis intervention team models.

Planned capital and service expansions include a behavioral health campus near 7 Mile and Southfield, targeted to open in fall 2026; a renovated facility in the east‑county area planned for summer 2027; and a public–private project at the former Riverview Hospital site that will include a 31‑bed adult psychiatric high‑acuity unit, with 21 beds dedicated to geriatric patients. On that project, White said the partnership would also explore on‑site medical and dental services so staff can "treat the whole person." He said DWIN hopes the Riverview site will open this year under an "ambitious schedule."

White described DWIN’s juvenile diversion program as operated through Team Wellness, with 102 referrals and 87 youths currently enrolled. He said the program offers online schooling, mentoring and other supports to reduce involvement with the juvenile justice system.

Commissioners asked operational questions about mobile crisis deployment and how seniors and youth would access new beds and programs. Commissioner Baker McCormick asked whether the mobile crisis teams go to freeway viaducts and encampments; White replied, "We go where we're called, and that would include if there's someone in crisis that sits under viaduct." Commissioner Wilson, a former police chief, asked how clients are prioritized; White said there is no single priority and urged families to engage services early so interventions reduce police involvement.

Commissioners also asked about DWIN’s youth engagement. White described a DWIN Youth Council in its third year that pays members a stipend and offers scholarships; he said the network awarded $25,000 in scholarships over the past two years and recently relaunched an application cycle.

After questions, the commission moved to receive and file the annual report. The motion to receive and file the DWIN report was moved by Commissioner Baker McCormick and supported by Commissioner Clark Homan; the motion carried.

DWIN board reappointments were also on the agenda: two board members confirmed in the meeting thanked the commission for their reappointment and pledged continued service.

Commissioners asked DWIN to provide electronic materials for distribution and to coordinate ongoing outreach so residents can locate services. White said branding and community awareness are priorities so people think of DWIN as the place to go for mental health urgent care and crisis help.

The commission took no legislative action beyond receiving and filing the report; DWIN will return next year for its annual update.