Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Mental Health Co Responder topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves multi‑jurisdictional co‑responder agreement for mental‑health support
Summary
Walled Lake approved a two‑year interlocal agreement with Wixom, White Lake Township and Wolverine Lake (to be managed by Oakland Community Health Network) to share a mental‑health co‑responder assigned to peak call times; ARPA and state grants will cover initial years and the contract includes a 90‑day exit clause.
Walled Lake’s City Council voted unanimously to join a multi‑jurisdictional interlocal agreement to fund a shared mental‑health co‑responder who will work with police on behavioral‑health calls. Presenters from Oakland Community Health Network said grants (including an ARPA allocation and a state funding stream) are expected to cover initial costs, and the agreement was written for a two‑year experimental period with a 90‑day termination clause for any party.
The presenter described the co‑responder as an unarmed mental‑health professional who would respond alongside police and fire personnel during peak times and perform follow‑up work to connect residents with treatment and community resources. “The goal is during those peak times to be unseen when your residents truly need the help,” said Keri (Keri/Siri) Sikora, introduced as director of justice initiatives with Oakland Community Health Network. Officials said the position will rotate among the participating communities based on call volume and cover peak periods rather than provide around‑the‑clock coverage.
Council members asked how the co‑responder would be dispatched and whether the role would be deployed on single‑person responses; presenters clarified the co‑responder would not be sent alone and would always accompany a sworn officer. Funding questions were raised: presenters said Oakland Community Health Network and grant support would cover year one via ARPA funds and a multi‑year state grant would cover additional years; council noted it would reassess program value before committing local funds beyond the grant period.
A resolution authorizing the interlocal agreement (Resolution 2024‑32) passed by roll call. Staff emphasized the agreement is designed as a pilot and that the council may exit the contract with 90 days’ written notice if it determines the program does not produce sufficient benefit.
