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Community mental health, United Way, MSU Extension and veteran services warn cuts would limit services countywide
Summary
Community mental-health officials, United Way, MSU Extension, veteran services and emergency management told commissioners proposed cuts would reduce jail-based treatment, mobile tax services, local extension support and veteran assistance.
Several external agencies and county programs presented at the special budget session to explain the community impacts of proposed reductions.
Community Mental Health Authority (CMHA) CEO Sarah Lurie said the board's 30% cut to the allocation her agency requested would force reductions in jail-based behavioral-health services (cutting psychiatric and jail-therapy coverage from five to three days per week), curtail outpatient support at the Eaton Counseling Center and pause a planned partnership to expand services in Eaton Rapids. Lurie emphasized the allocation funds uninsured, underinsured and "spend-down" clients and said reductions could reduce access for people with serious mental illness.
United Way of South Central Michigan asked the county to fund two services: 2-1-1 (a 24/7 referral line) and VITA tax-preparation services. United Way said VITA returned about $140,000 to about 1,300 Eaton County residents last…
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