Trustee Heilenbach used the trustees’ reports segment on March 11 to criticize the state and federal rollout of the 988 mental health crisis line and to outline local steps the township is pursuing to support crisis response.

Heilenbach said the program has underperformed since its launch and attributed staffing and funding problems to low call coverage and calls routed out of state. “From the start this program was a failure,” Heilenbach said, adding that the program had a “3% call rate” and that funding shortfalls mean the program may not continue in its current form. He urged trustees to read the consultant Dr. Joe Trajani’s monthly mental health reports and noted that first responders remain overwhelmed.

Heilenbach told the board the township has been in talks with the nonprofit Pillars to set up a local crisis response arrangement whereby crisis counselors would be available to respond to local emergencies. He said he has asked for a written proposal so police and fire departments in the township’s service area will know “who they have to call, how it works.”

Trustees asked whether an alternative exists; Heilenbach responded that the program’s funding is “gone” and that local arrangements will be necessary to supplement first responders. No formal board action was taken; Heilenbach requested that Pillars submit a written proposal for review and distribution to local public-safety partners.