Lifeways reports increased millage revenue and expanded services, warns of pressure if Medicaid coverage falls

Cassie Watson, chief executive officer of Lifeways, presented the agency’s annual millage report to the Jackson County committee and said the millage produced higher revenues in 2024 while funding an expanding set of behavioral-health services.

Watson told the committee the millage runs on a calendar year while Lifeways’ fiscal year runs Oct. 1–Sept. 30, and that some October–December 2024 figures are still unaudited pending an audit expected to conclude in April. “The revenues from the millage did increase in 2024,” she said, noting the financial picture will be finalized after the audit.

Why it matters: The millage dollars support crisis services for uninsured residents, school-based trauma treatment, jail-based clinicians and community-engagement programs. Watson said those services helped reach people who lack insurance and that demand could rise if Medicaid eligibility or reenrollment declines.

Key service highlights Watson cited included: 249 guardianship-related services delivered by Family Services & Children’s Aid in Jackson County; school-based trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TFCBT) that served dozens of students (Watson reported quarter-by-quarter counts and said roughly 53% of students served lacked insurance); an average student age of 14 and an average of six lifetime traumatic events for those students; and a 60-point improvement on an evidence-based functioning measure after services. She also described community programming (ESSA Arts delivered 20 art lessons attended by 241 participants) and Club Life, which provided 2,784 service contacts for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

On crisis and justice-related services, Watson reported about 1,400 after-hours crisis services (about 118 per month) provided largely to uninsured individuals and said Lifeways places clinicians in county jails: “714 distinct individuals received services and 9,000 total services were provided,” she said, explaining group sessions account for many contacts. Watson said the partner systems do not currently provide data that lets Lifeways track recidivism reliably, which limits outcome measurement.

Budget and risks: Watson presented a projected 2025 millage carry-forward of $1.15 million and revenue of $1.84 million, and identified an Interface shelter allocation of $50,000 for an onsite therapist. She warned that if Medicaid cuts or reenrollment lapses reduce coverage, the millage will likely see continued demand. In response to a commissioner question, Watson said the organization’s FY2024 deficit reflects newly filled clinician positions and a transition of some community health workers from grant to millage funding; finance staff and the Lifeways board are monitoring reserves and distinguishing CCBHC and millage-funded expenses.

The committee voted to receive Lifeways’ annual report by voice vote. Watson also summarized a court decision that vacated an MDHHS PIHP procurement RFP; she said the department rescinded the RFP after a judge found it unlawful and Lifeways remains engaged with MDHHS as future procurement options are explored.

What’s next: The committee received the report and forwarded the reappointment of Commissioner Snell to the full board for action at next week’s meeting, per the chair’s announcement.