Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) told the county board on Oct. 30 that it plans to assume direct responsibility for delivering crisis services in Oakland County as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services moves forward with a Procurement for Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs).

Dana Lassenby, CEO of OCHN, said the decision is a “proactive step to preserve our role in the community public behavioral health system” and to “ensure the continuity of essential lifesaving services” if the county’s PIHP funding and structure change. Lassenby said the organization’s CMHSP contract with the state permits it to provide services directly.

The statement drew public comment and pushback. Heather Ray, CEO of Common Ground (a local crisis services provider), told the board that OCHN has “no experience delivering crisis services” and warned that bringing services in‑house can lead to service disruptions. Ray cited earlier transitions she said had been problematic when OCHN centralized transportation and other services.

Sheila Barrett of OCHN, who led the transportation initiative, clarified that OCHN did not conduct transportation operations directly but removed an administrative layer and contracted directly with transportation providers; she said local providers such as NOTA and SMART continue to deliver services under direct county contracts.

Lassenby said OCHN has long experience in the public behavioral health system and that moving crisis services under direct operation aligns with statutory roles and state law. She added that OCHN will collaborate with community partners, law enforcement, health care providers and county leadership to pursue a “seamless transition” and pledged continued transparency with the board and stakeholders.

Why it matters: Crisis services operate 24/7 and are part of the county safety net for people experiencing acute behavioral health episodes. A change in the entity that directly delivers those services could alter operational practices, lines of accountability and provider relationships; commissioners and community providers described both the need for continuity and concerns about centralization.

Speakers (selected)
- Dana Lassenby, CEO, Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN)
- Heather Ray, CEO, Common Ground
- Sheila Barrett, OCHN (lead on transportation initiative)

Clarifying details
- OCHN stated it will assume direct delivery of crisis services under its CMHSP contract as a precaution given pending state PIHP procurement.
- Common Ground raised concerns about OCHN’s prior handling of administrative changes, citing public comment and service problems during prior transitions.

Provenance
- topicintro: tc_start: "104:30", tc_end: "104:50", evidence_excerpt: "My name is Heather Ray... I support justice for people..." (reason_code: "topicintro")
- topfinish: tc_start: "69:12", tc_end: "69:22", evidence_excerpt: "Dana Lassenby: 'By integrating crisis services under our direct operation, we are reinforcing system stability'" (reason_code: "topicfinish")