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Health and human services updates: CMH millage awards, Senior Reach program and public health annual report
Summary
County health officials summarized multiple health‑service topics: Community Mental Health shared a millage savings RFP selection list and Senior Reach explained its services to older adults; the county health department presented program metrics and a change in fund‑balance reporting; the Veterans Affairs office reported a state grant reduction.
The Planning and Policy Committee heard several health and human services updates on March 11, including Community Mental Health (CMH) millage awards, Senior Reach services for older adults, the county public health annual report and an update from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
CMH said it reviewed 26 applicants to a millage savings request for proposals and selected nine organizations to receive one‑time millage funds; the handout provided to commissioners lists those recipients and the selection criteria used, including CCBHC (Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic) designations and designated collaborating organization (DCO) roles intended to expand behavioral health services and potentially draw enhanced state funding in future.
Senior Reach staff described a county millage‑funded program that serves people age 60 and older with short‑term therapy, case management and connections to community resources. Senior Reach said it served about 113 individuals in 2024 (with 35 newly opened cases so far in 2025), provides in‑home services rather than office‑based care, and helps people with social isolation, mobility and housing issues. Staff noted the program is funded through the millage (through 2026) and will need continued funding discussions when the millage renewal horizon approaches.
The county health department presented its annual report and highlighted programs including Pathways to Better Health (community health workers), hearing and vision screenings (kindergarten and other school grades), the Miles of Smiles dental program and environmental health inspections. Health department staff explained a recent policy change in county accounting treatment: public health no longer maintains an unrestricted departmental fund balance for general fund activities; instead, unspent general fund resources are shown in the county general fund going forward while only restricted public health funds remain in a public health fund balance. Staff said the change improves transparency of the county’s general fund support for public health and that a one‑time fund balance transfer related to prior years appeared in the 2024 column of the department’s financial appendix.
The Department of Veterans Affairs reported a nearly 50% reduction in its Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency grant for FY25 (from $163,000 to about $87,393). The veterans office said it will work with budget analysts on a grant amendment and highlighted other activities including donated electric wheelchairs and upcoming public events to help veterans with ID.me account setup and funeral director outreach.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about veteran and senior services access, lead screening processes, the new kindergarten oral health assessment, and the fund balance accounting change; staff answered and offered follow‑up materials.
