Each week, we compile and share stories from the past week focused on behavioral health, SUD, social services, and nonprofits centered in Michigan but across the United States. If there are specific topics that interest you, please let us know. This newsletter's information, content, and materials are for general informational purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice or investment advice. At times we may use AI to summarize an article. If something shared needs to be corrected, is misrepresented, or there are gaps in information, please let us know so we can make the necessary corrections.
01
Michigan Joins National Initiative to Address Youth Mental Health Crisis
Michigan is partnering with ten other states, the Schultz Family Foundation, Pinterest, and AmeriCorps, to launch the Youth Mental Health Corps, a pioneering public-private partnership. This initiative addresses the urgent youth mental health crisis by recruiting, training, and deploying AmeriCorps members as navigators for middle and high school students in schools and community organizations.
The Corps aims to bridge the gap in mental health services, offering career pathways to address the national shortage of mental health professionals. Members will receive on-the-job training, stipends, and credentials and will be eligible for education awards.
Michigan’s participation will engage 125 AmeriCorps members over two years, focusing on three career pathways: school and community-based service, peer recovery coaching, and community health work. Members will earn certifications and higher education credits, enhancing their professional development and ability to provide Medicaid-reimbursable services.
With one in three high school students experiencing persistent hopelessness and significant mental health provider shortages, this initiative leverages national service to support youth mental health, offering peer-to-peer support and creating innovative solutions to critical challenges.
For more information or to apply, visit www.youthmentalhealthcorps.org.
02
MDHHS Expands SUD Treatment with Recovery Incentives Pilot Program
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has approved eight Pre-Paid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs) to participate in the Recovery Incentives Pilot, funded by $6 million from opioid settlements over three years. This program will provide evidence-based treatment, including motivational incentives like gift cards, to Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan enrollees with stimulant or opioid use disorders.
MDHHS, PIHPs, and providers will collaborate to offer this treatment to improve recovery outcomes by rewarding individuals for meeting treatment goals. Participants will receive increasing incentives for each week they abstain from substance use.
Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS Director, emphasized the program's significance in providing effective treatment options. The pilot will run for two years, beginning October 1, and is part of broader efforts funded by Michigan's nearly $1.6 billion share of national opioid settlements.
Participating PIHPs include NorthCare Network, Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health, Mid-State Health Network, Community Mental Health Partnership of Southeast Michigan, Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN), Oakland Community Health Network, Macomb County Community Mental Health, and Region 10 PIHP.
For more details, visit the RI Pilot website or contact [email protected]. Learn more from the Department’s news release, Recovery Incentives Program PIHPs NR.pdf.
03
MDHHS Funds $5 Million to Increase Behavioral Health Social Workers
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has allocated $5 million to 12 Michigan universities to support students pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. This initiative aims to bolster the state's behavioral health workforce by providing $30,000 stipends to bachelor' s-level social workers who commit to working in public sector behavioral health in Michigan for at least two years after graduation.
The program targets Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) holders who enroll in full-time advanced-standing MSW programs. Up to 150 students are expected to benefit, helping to address Michigan's behavioral health care needs.
Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS Director, highlighted the program's role in increasing Michigan families' access to behavioral health services. Funding allocations were based on the average number of advanced-standing MSW students, student loan debt, and demographic diversity.
The universities receiving funds are:
Andrews University: $208,236
Eastern Michigan University: $371,976
Ferris State University: $167,169
Grand Valley State University: $384,339
Madonna University: $314,824
Michigan State University: $498,358
Northern Michigan University: $90,578
Oakland University: $409,741
Saginaw Valley State University: $188,063
Spring Arbor University: $511,468
University of Michigan: $853,394
Wayne State University: $1,001,848
For more details, contact Jilliann Betzer at [email protected] or see the Department’s news release, Masters of social work grants NR.pdf.
Bonus
CCBHCs Improve Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Nationwide
The 2024 CCBHC Impact Report reveals that Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) now serve an estimated 3 million people, with 79% of clinics reporting an increase in the number of people they serve. The report, produced by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, highlights the significant impact of CCBHCs in enhancing access to mental health and substance use treatment in urban and rural communities.
Key findings include:
Expanded Reach: CCBHCs have notably increased service provision, particularly in states adopting the model through Medicaid, where the number of people served rose by 33%.
Substance Use Care: 87% of CCBHCs offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder, surpassing the national average of 64% among substance use treatment facilities.
Workforce Growth: Medicaid CCBHCs and grantees have hired 11,292 new positions, with a median of 22 new positions per clinic. These positions focus on licensed clinicians, peer support specialists, and care coordinators.
Support for Children and Families: 83% of CCBHCs provide services in schools and youth-serving settings, significantly increasing the number of children and youth served.
Crisis Care: Over 80% of CCBHCs collaborate with 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline call centers, and 29% have added mobile crisis response teams.
The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act (H.R.8543) seeks to authorize a Medicaid payment system for CCBHCs permanently, define services under Medicare, and support their expansion to improve access to comprehensive behavioral health care nationwide. Learn more from the full report here.
DHHS & MSHDA Team Up On Rehab Project
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) was giving $2.5 million to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) to help create more housing for people seeking sobriety. The MSHDA Recovery Housing Investment Program (RHIP) would give grants, after a request for proposal process, to state-certified recovery and rehab facilities to buy for lease between 40 and 60 recovery homes that could be used to treat 250 to 350 people. The funding would come from the opioid settlement, which is expected to total $1.6 billion for the state. The recovery homes would be used to teach management skills and help those looking for help get engaged in the community through jobs, education, or volunteering.
“Housing insecurity serves as a risk factor for opioid use disorder and overdose death, and stable recovery housing provides critical support for individuals in recovery. To help address disparities, we are prioritizing the needs of vulnerable populations as we distribute settlement dollars across the state.”
ICYMI
Medicaid Expansion for Mental Health; CVD Surge by 2050, American Journal of Managed Care
EVENTS
CMHAM Fall Conference Traverse City, Oct 21-22
Upcoming Political Events
This newsletter does not endorse candidates or parties.
June 12, Speaker Joe Tate - Spring Kickoff, Breakfast Fundraiser
Time: 9:00 am-10:00 am, Inside Knapp’s Building off Washtenaw, 300 S Washington Sq, Ste #110, Lansing, MI 48933, Ally $500 / Friend $1,500 / Supporter $2,500 /, Advocate $5,000 / Host $10,000. Please RSVP to: [email protected]
If you have an event you want to share, please get in touch with Daniel Cherrin.