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Clare County mental-health authority outlines new family stabilization grant and county services
Summary
Officials from the community mental health authority briefed commissioners on services delivered in Clare County and a new family stabilization grant targeting children and families in crisis in Clare and Gladwin counties.
Representatives of the county’s community mental health authority briefed the Clare County Board of Commissioners on services in the county and a recently awarded family stabilization grant for Clare and Gladwin counties aimed at earlier intervention for children and families in crisis.
Brian Crockett, identified in the meeting as executive director for the community mental health authority serving six counties, told commissioners the agency served roughly 1,500 individuals in Clare County last year and about 10,700 total across its service area. Crockett said the authority employs about 445 staff directly and supports roughly 2,500 jobs across contract providers.
Sarah (program director for Clare County services) described the family stabilization program awarded this past year for Clare and Gladwin counties. She said the program is intended to intervene earlier — "we can get involved when they start to see the smoke rather than having to wait until the house is on fire" — and to provide ongoing post-intervention support until families are stabilised and connected to ongoing resources. She said the program is open to any family in the community and not limited to Medicaid recipients.
Officials said the authority provides a range of services including outpatient and home-based treatment, case management, 24-hour crisis supports, school-based mental-health professionals in some local schools, and support services in local jails. Crockett said about 93% of the authority’s revenue is Medicaid funding and that Clare County’s allocation in the authority’s budget is part of a long-standing fixed amount that has not changed since 1997.
Crockett and Sarah also described community outreach work including trainings for Department of Health and Human Services staff on de-escalation techniques, collaborations with schools, law enforcement and physicians, and a locally developed bingo event adapted for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Commissioners asked questions; no formal action was taken. Staff said they would provide any follow-up materials requested by the board.
