Leaders of Community Mental Health for Central Michigan presented an annual report to the Midland County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday that discussed the organization’s purpose and vision, as well as Midland County projects and data.
CMHCM Executive Director Bryan Krogman opened the special 2022 annual report presentation by discussing the organization’s purpose.
CMHCM is a public mental health authority serving Clare, Gladwin, Isabella, Mecosta, Midland and Osceola counties. Their vision is to provide high-quality, cost-effective behavioral health solutions, in collaboration with consumers and community partners, to help individuals experience recovery, realize their full potential, and fully participate in their communities.
CMHCM serves children and adults with emotional disorders, mental illnesses, intellectual and developmental disabilities, substance use disorders and more, Krogman said. MCHCM offers outpatient therapy, in-home services, psychiatric care, case management, 24-hour crisis support and other services.
In fiscal year 2022, 10,761 individuals were served in total across the six counties and 3,046 of those people were in Midland County.
CMHCM’s next project will be its new strategic plan, which they have worked on throughout this year. The organization prepares a new strategic plan every three years. The new plan will run from 2024-2026.
Krogman listed the priorities that will be included in the strategic plan as access to services, operations and fiscal sustainability, maintaining a workforce and improving efficiency.
Midland County Program Director Deana Schad provided statistics specific to Midland County. She said anxiety in adults has increased from 29% in 2019 to 41% in 2022. Depression in adults has also increased from 26% to 34%.
Depression in young people increased from 17% in 2016 to 28% in 2021 and suicide attempts increased from 14 to 19 percent.
CMHCM in Midland County is now looking for ways to decrease rates of anxiety and depression in adults and children through universal screening, increasing awareness of mental health services and improving access to resources. This will include screening at a younger age, rather than waiting until adolescence.
Schad also provided an update on recent projects. The Mental Health Court was created in 2020 and has since served 26 offenders, with three graduating in the last fiscal year.
In June, CMHCM distributed tablets to City of Midland police officers that can be used to connect community members directly to CMHCM’s virtual crisis response. A CMHCM team member will also join the hostage negotiation team.
“It’s wonderful to have the representatives here to give you an insight into the work they do,” said Commissioner Steve Glaser. “What a compliment it is for the community to have those who are so committed to serving that struggling part of the community.”
Pinecrest Farm Activities
The Midland County BOC approved a series of resolutions, including one to authorize the use of funds from the DHHS 787 Trust Fund in an amount up to $16,000 to cover the cost of increasing Pinecrest Farms’ activities director to a full-time position.
This will allow the activities director more time to plan and participate in activities with Midland County long-term care facility residents.
“I had the opportunity to go to Pinecrest and meet the woman who is the activities director and she has wonderful activities that she is already doing and wonderful activities that she hopes to expand upon when she works full time,” said Commissioner Alaynah Smith.
Public Comment
County Clerk Ann Manary spoke during public comment in response to comments made at the last meeting on September 5 regarding the Midland County Qualified Voter File.
At the Sept. 5 meeting, a member of the public commented after his Freedom of Information Act request for the file was denied by the county. She requested the file from the State of Michigan and upon receiving it she realized that a large amount of registration data was added in 1998.
Manary explained on September 19 that the QVF, an electronic system that stores voter registration information, was created in 1996. Along with that system came the creation of boundaries and districts.
QVF information was provided to the state starting in 1996, Manary explained, but could not be entered into the system until the maps were completed. This is why the data was introduced in large quantities in 1998 when the maps were completed.
Manary also explained that QVF is owned by the State of Michigan, which means that while some information can be released by the county clerk’s office, other information can only be released by the state.
She encouraged any residents with questions to contact her or come to her office.
Other businesses
• Doug Deeter of Rehmann presented the 2022 annual audit report to the BOC. Following the presentation, the board of commissioners voted to accept the audit report, the Federal Financial Assistance Audit, and the management letter findings prepared by Rehmann.
• The board approved the Michigan Department of Treasury’s 2023 tax levy request 614.
• The council proclaimed the week of September 24-30 as Midland Neighborhood Week, as well as October 2023 as Cultural Awareness Month.
• The board approved a Performance Resolution for Midland County, which is required by the Michigan Department of Transportation for purposes of issuing the permit that will allow the Four Lakes Task Force to begin its work on the Shoreline Improvement Plan.
• The board appointed Dave Brausch, as Democratic representative, and reappointed Dennis Starner, as Republican representative, to the Midland County Board of Canvassers. The deadlines for both appointments will expire on October 31, 2027.
• The board also appointed Patrick Czerwinski as Magistrate in the 75th District Court as he successfully completed the traffic law and sanctions adjudication training course taught by the State Court Administrative Office.