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Madison Heights council extends co-responder contract with Oakland Community Health Network through Sept. 30, 2026
Summary
Council approved Amendment No. 2 to continue Madison Heights’ participation in the Oakland Community Health Network co-responder program through 09/30/2026; city staff said county grant funding covers the program now but the city's share would be about $26,000 if grants end.
Madison Heights City Council voted on Jan. 26 to extend its contract with the Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) to continue a mental-health co-responder program that pairs trained mental-health workers with first responders.
City Manager Melissa Marsh summarized the extension and amendment (Amendment No. 2), saying the contract covers Madison Heights’ participation in a cooperative agreement with neighboring communities (Ferndale, Hazel Park and Royal Oak) and runs from Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2026. "This service provides mental health corresponding services to our residents," Marsh said during reports.
A councilmember who moved the motion (speaker 7) characterized the program as valuable to both residents and first responders and commended county and state officials working to sustain funding. Several councilmembers asked what would happen after Sept. 30; staff said Oakland County Board of Commissioners ARPA and other county funding currently cover the program but that, if grant funding is not continued, the city's share would be about $26,000 (covering through June 30, 2027 under the scenario discussed) and that staff will follow up with a written clarification.
Council approved the contract extension and the amendment by voice vote. Council members expressed support for continuing the program and asked staff to seek additional details about funding continuity and program metrics; staff said OCHN provides quarterly reports to the city and can be invited to a future meeting to present details about deployment, training and outcomes.
Clarifying details: staff said the original program was funded in December 2023 with ARPA dollars intending a one-year pilot; county funding has extended the program and the city has added a line item to its budget to cover an additional year if necessary. The exact future funding commitment beyond Sept. 30 depends on county decisions and the willingness of partner communities to continue participation.
