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Residents press board on housing and community programs; Momentum Center and CMH announce new forums and events
Summary
Public commenters appealed for a residential placement for a 41-year-old with Down syndrome; Barbara Lee Van Horsten of the Momentum Center promoted upcoming town halls and a Well-being Collective open house; CMH announced a new parent/guardian forum starting in October.
Several community members and partner organizations addressed the Community Mental Health of Ottawa County board on Sept. 26 about housing needs and local resources.
A woman who identified herself during public comment asked the board to help find a residential placement for her 41-year-old son, Troy, who has Down syndrome, bipolar disorder and severe OCD. She said he has lived in multiple group homes and is currently with his family, but his parents are aging and seeking a stable placement; she mentioned Benjamin’s Hope and Heritage Home as places that have openings.
Barbara Lee Van Horsten, speaking as a representative of the City of Grand Haven and the Momentum Center, promoted two upcoming town halls on mental health and parenting (Sept. 29) and on mental health and conflict (Oct. 27). She also announced a Momentum Center Well-being Collective that will host monthly practitioner offerings including mindfulness, yoga and creative expression and invited the board and public to an open house on Oct. 17.
Chief Executive Officer Michael announced he will create a parent-and-guardian forum starting in October that will meet every other month, be recorded when feasible, and report quarterly to the board. He said the forum is intended to be a place for parents and guardians to raise concerns directly with the CEO and to help inform strategic planning and needs assessments.
Krista Mason of Benjamin’s Hope thanked CMH staff and the board for engagement and described a recent outreach: a CMH clinician led a two-hour grief session for staff following a client death, an example she cited of provider collaboration.
Why it matters: Public comments underscored continuing gaps in specialized residential placements and family concern about long-term housing options. The new parent/guardian forum and Momentum Center activities signal local efforts to expand nonclinical supports and family engagement.
Next steps: CMH staff said they will advertise the parent/guardian forum schedule once details are finalized; community partners urged wider participation in town halls and the Well-being Collective.
