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Oakland Community Health Network briefs commissioners on planned takeover of crisis services; PIHP rebid and staff uncertainty loom
Summary
OCHN outlined a phased transfer of selected crisis services (walk-in assessments, mobile crisis, helpline and stabilization) from Common Ground to OCHN, said the state'wide PIHP rebid and pending court action could change contracting and budgets, and commissioners and staff raised questions about employee retention and service continuity.
Representatives from Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) told the Board of Commissioners they plan a phased transition of OCHN-funded crisis services currently provided by Common Ground. Trish and Dana described the planned sequence: front-of-house services (walk-in crisis assessment and sober support) in spring 2026, mobile crisis transition later in the year, and the crisis helpline and stabilization services by the end of the fiscal year. OCHN emphasized side-by-side handoffs with 15-day joint transitions for each program to reduce service disruption and said it will hold a job fair (Dec. 17) to recruit staff.
Staff said the transfer affects only services OCHN funds; resiliency and victim assistance centers and the 988 contract will remain with existing contractors where applicable. Commissioners pressed staff on timelines, the scope of services to transfer, and what protections exist for current employees; OCHN said existing staff can apply for positions and that they aim to make the transition budget neutral by phasing and monitoring staffing and program funding.
OCHN also outlined a larger, state-driven restructuring of prepaid inpatient health plans (PIHPs) from 10 to a proposed three-region model. OCHN said the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) has applied to be a regional bidder that would cover the entire state and that a court hearing on the RFP is scheduled for the next week; potential court outcomes could delay or change who manages Medicaid behavioral-health funding for the region and materially affect OCHN's Medicaid budget and contract structure.
Public commenters and RCC staff echoed concerns that the transition timeline and employee retention details remain unclear. Board members directed staff to continue stakeholder communications, provide timelines and return with progress reports; the board voted to file the OCHN transition materials for the record.
