Highfields CEO urges state support to preserve family-preservation services

Brian Filson, chief executive officer of Highfields, told the Michigan House Families and Veterans Committee that preserving community-based family-preservation programs is both better for children and cheaper than out-of-home placements.

Filson spoke to the committee after Chair Schmaltz introduced him and described Highfields as a longstanding provider. He summarized Highfields’ work and statistics, said the agency serves 10 counties, and urged continued state support for provider rates and cost-of-living increases so organizations can continue prevention work.

Filson said Highfields now operates three divisions — residential, educational and community services — with the bulk of the agency’s work in community services and education. He said Highfields runs five educational sites in Jackson County, four in Ingham County and one in Eaton County, with roughly 30 children served each day at each location. Filson described in‑home family preservation, children’s behavioral health and autism case management as central to the agency’s approach.

"Children are best served when they stay in their home," Filson said, adding that Highfields tries to "stabilize, strengthen, and then ... empower" families so children do not need foster care. He described the agency’s home‑based model as a point of difference: "We meet them at their earliest point of need."

Filson told legislators that juvenile justice involvement and out-of-home placements remain costly and that preserving providers now reduces future public expense: "Every dollar spent in preservation will save a lot of money, particularly around out of home placements," he said. He warned of funding risks and said providers face pressure from potential loss of federal funding and Medicaid changes: "We are under attack," he said.

During questions, Representative Wozniak asked about substance use among adolescents the agency serves. Filson said a greater share of youth entering juvenile justice have diagnosable mental‑health disorders than primary substance‑use disorders, though marijuana and alcohol remain common and an opioid supply persists. Representative Thompson pressed on placement delays; Filson said the state has faced a shortage of placements in recent years and said Highfields had about 10 youth on a waiting list at the time of his remarks. He added that some counties have sent youth out of state when local placements were not available.

Filson described the residential program as typically admitting males aged roughly 13–17 and noted program lengths vary — many residential placements run about six months, and some extend toward eight or nine months. Filson said Highfields’ educational programs operate as after‑school sites to help with homework, reduce daytime behavioral issues and provide meals and transportation home.

Several representatives thanked Filson for the prevention focus and discussed staff recruitment for in‑home services; Filson said hiring was recovering after pandemic‑era challenges and that the agency measures outcomes at three months, six months and one year depending on program goals (for example, no further out‑of‑home placement for child‑welfare work, or school/work engagement for juvenile justice programs).

Filson also offered anecdotal examples of clients who avoided foster care or regained family custody after Highfields interventions. He noted Highfields received a state infrastructure grant to renovate its administrative and residential treatment hub and said the agency planned a dedication in July for that project.

Highfields’ testimony primarily sought continued attention to provider rates and stable funding so community‑based prevention and family preservation services can remain available to children and families.