An estimated 13,000 Michigan children and young adults are in foster care — and approximately 900 “age out” of the system every year, leaving behind its social supports. Disproportionate numbers suffer from a grim parade of mental health issues and poor educational outcomes, a burden advocates say Michigan’s safety net fails to fully address. Click here to read the full Bridge article about this important issue!
Justin Tate named MDHHS Manager of Programs for Children’s with Serious Emotional Disturbance
ACMH is thrilled to welcome Justin Tate as the new Manager of Programs for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbance in the Division of Mental Health Services to Children and Families at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Mr. Tate was previously Michigan’s Statewide Wraparound Coordinator and we look forward to continue partnering with him in his new role!
MDHHS to Host Public Forums to Discuss ‘The Future of Behavioral Health in Michigan’
Please join the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for a conversation about the future of behavioral health in Michigan.
You can download the informational flyer here: Behavioral Health Public Forums Flyer
In December 2019, MDHHS outlined a vision for a stronger behavioral health system that integrates specialty behavioral health and physical health services. If you are served by Michigan’s Medicaid-funded behavioral health system or are the family member of a person served, MDHHS wants to hear from YOU.
MDHHS is hosting five public forums throughout the state and online in early 2020. Department leadership will be in attendance to further discuss the vision, answer your questions, and listen to your feedback.
MDHHS will host five forums in early 2020, including four in-person events and one virtual forum.
All events will be hosted from 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Registration is not required, but strongly encouraged to help us best prepare for the events.
You can find the links to register for each event below:
Register for Detroit on January 8 here
Register for Grand Rapids on January 9 here
Register for Marquette on January 22 here
Register for Saginaw on January 30 here
Register for our virtual forum on February 6 here
ACMH is Accepting Applications for the ACMH Statewide Parent Advisory Committee
The Association for Children’s Mental Health (ACMH) is currently accepting applications for it’s Statewide Parent Advisory Committee. Application for a seat on the ACMH Parent Advisory Committee is open to all parents/primary caregivers with experience raising a child with a mental health, emotional and/or behavioral challenges. Involvement is NOT limited to parents with experience in any particular system, such as public mental health, foster care, juvenile justice or special education. All parents/primary caregivers who are passionate about mental health issues and have personal experience raising a child with mental health challenges will be considered.
To learn more see additional information below or download the PAC Flyer, application or ACMH Parent Advisory Committee Overview Documents below:
Overview – ACMH Parent Advisory Committee
Application – ACMH Statewide Parent Advisory Committee – fillable
Up to 15 parents will be selected to serve on the committee. Once selected, members will be asked to serve for a minimum of one year. Committee calls will be held once monthly via technology. Face to face meetings and events will be scheduled 2 to 4 times a year. Members will be expected to attend and fully participate in committee calls, meetings and events; if unable to attend a call, meeting or event, the ACMH Parent Advisory Committee Coordinator should be notified in advance if possible. Meetings may be photographed, videotaped or recorded.
Committee Purpose and Objectives:
The purpose of the ACMH Parent Advisory Committee is to provide the opportunity for parents/primary caregivers of children with mental health challenges to have a voice in decision making that affects their lives and some of the services and supports available to their families. The committee members and other decision makers will work together to create positive changes in policies that impact children, giving them the opportunity to advise legislators, mental health administrators and community members about important issues that matter to families navigating children’s mental health services. The committee will have the following objectives:
- Advising ACMH and other state leaders about the experiences and interests of families raising children with mental health challenges;
- Promoting family voice in decisions impacting Michigan families regarding behavioral health;
- Providing opportunities for parents to develop leadership skills, maintaining both a personal perspective as well as working toward positive statewide system change;
- Fostering and supporting partnerships and relationships between parents and system partners throughout the state.
Each ACMH Parent Advisory Committee member will play an essential role in raising awareness and integrating family perspective into Michigan policies and legislation. All committee members will be asked to:
- Commit to serving on the committee for a minimum of 1 year;
- Represent the voice of local families raising children with mental health challenges by discussing issues that are important in their communities;
- Possess and demonstrate a strong desire to advocate for positive systems change for families raising children with mental health challenges;
- Attend and fully participate in monthly calls as well as scheduled meetings and events 2 to 4 times a year. If unable to attend a call, meeting or event they must contact the ACMH Parent Advisory Committee Coordinator in advance whenever possible;
- Work closely and collaboratively with fellow parent committee members and system partners;
- Provide feedback to ACMH Parent Advisory Committee Coordinator regularly with recommendations regarding children’s mental health related issues and committee activities.
Criteria for Participation:
- Be a resident of the state of Michigan;
- Have had personal experience or are currently raising a child/children with a mental health and behavioral challenges;
- Possess the passion and desire to advocate for positive systems change for children’s mental health;
- Have the ability to work in collaboration with fellow committee members. This includes:
- respectfully conveying their thoughts and opinions;
- listening to and integrating opinions of others;
- providing supportive feedback to others in a respectful way;
- conducting themselves in a professional and collaborative manner,
- and demonstrating an openness and willingness to create positive impact from a statewide perspective.
Benefits for Participation:
- Gain leadership and advocacy skills.
- Have your voice heard by system partners and decision makers as you represent families raising children with mental health challenges.
- Connect with other parents and learn from their experiences
- Inform and influence processes, ranging from local to statewide impact.
- Create positive changes for Michigan families navigating children’s mental health systems.
- And more!!
How to Get Involved:
Interested parents/primary caregivers who meet criteria for participation will follow the required steps to submit an application. By doing so, parents/primary caregivers agree to fulfill the roles and responsibilities as described.
As part of their application process, applicants will be asked to provide at least one reference.
If you have questions, please contact:
Laura Marshall, ACMH Parent Advisory Committee Coordinator Phone: 517-420-2193
Email: lmarshall@acmh-mi.org
ACMH is Currently Seeking Applications for the Statewide Youth Advisory Council
Exciting news!
ACMH is currently accepting applications for our Statewide Youth Advisory Committee! All youth ages 15-20 with lived experience with a mental health challenge are eligible to apply.
Applications will be accepted now through Friday, January 3rd, 2020.
ACMH will host a special welcome event for all new members in Lansing on Saturday, February 1st.
For more information about the Committee and how to apply download the documents below:
ACMH Youth Advisory Application Overview
ACMH Youth Advisory Committee Application
Steps to Become a Youth Advisory Committee Members
ACMH would also like to welcome and introduce you all to Megan Leininger. Megan recently joined the ACMH family and is taking over as the Youth Coordinator for the Statewide Youth Advisory Council. She will be facilitating and coordinating all YAC events moving forward. Welcome aboard Megan!
All inquiries about YAC and all completed YAC applications can be sent directly to Megan at mleininger@acmh-mi.org.
Eight MDHHS employees honored for outstanding work during Governor’s recognition event
Eight MDHHS employees were recently recognized for their exemplary work during a special employee recognition event hosted by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and ACMH was thrilled to see that Kim Batsche-McKenzie, Director of the Division of Mental Health Services to Children and Families, Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration. was among those honored for her outstanding work with children and families!
The event, which was held at the Governor’s official residence in Lansing, was a chance for these employees to connect with Governor Whitmer and be recognized for their service. Director Robert Gordon joined them for the event.
Each employee was nominated for the honor by the leadership of their respective administrations. The employees are:
Jennifer Allen, senior regulation agent, Livingston County MDHHS office, Office of Inspector General.
Kim Batsche-McKenzie, director of the Division of Mental Health Services to Children and Families, Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration.
Jeffrey Cook, district manager of the Union Street Office in Genesee County, Economic Stability Administration.
Joe Coyle, section manager for Viral Hepatitis, HAI, TB and Body Art, Public Health Administration.
Weylin Douglas, department specialist, Home and Community Based Services Section, Medical Services Administration.
Patrice Gillette, departmental analyst, Bureau of Budget, Financial Operations Administration.
Mona Guyton, Children’s Protective Services supervisor, Kent County.
Amy Hundley, deputy director of the Economic Stability Administration.
Pictured above are (from left to right): Amy Hundley, Patricia Gillette, Weylin Douglas, Jeffrey Cook, Governor Whitmer, Jennifer Allen, Director Gordon, Joe Coyle and Kim Batsche-McKenzie. Not pictured is Mona Guyton.
Fredla Seeking Participants for ‘How Families Support Young Adults during Transition’ Survey
SEEKING PARTICIPANTS FOR NATIONAL SURVEY:
How Families Support Young Adults during Transition
The “National Survey of Supports Family Members/ Adult Allies Provide to Young People during their Transition Years” will document the support family members, parents and friends provide for young people with behavioral health needs during the transition years (16 to 25 years old).
The information you provide will help youth- and family-run organizations, policy makers and service providers better understand and respond to the needs and preferences of young adults and their families.
We are seeking survey participants who are:
- 1) family members/other allies who provided support to young adults with behavioral health challenges during their transition years (16 to 25 years old);
OR - 2) young adults who are currently at least 18 years old who experienced behavioral health challenges during their transition years and receive or have received support from a family member or other ally.
If one of these categories describes you, we welcome you to participate by visiting the appropriate link below:
Family member/adult ally:
https://portlandstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6FLmmGCAAFRfJPf
Young adult:
https://portlandstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0MO5JYeH8SZKOkl
This survey is voluntary and confidential and will take about 25 minutes to complete. Thank you for sharing your time and expertise to promote solutions for young adults with behavioral health needs and their families.
The “National Survey of Supports Family Members/ Adult Allies Provide to Young People during their Transition Years” was developed through a collaboration between the Pathways Research and Training Center at Portland State University and FREDLA, the Family-Run Executive Director Leadership Association. FREDLA is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, sustainable family-run organizations and together influence policy and practice to achieve positive outcomes for children, youth and families.
Hey Michigan – Raise the Age Legislation was Just Signed into Law!
Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency shares that the Governor just signed Raise the Age legislation.
Learn more by viewing MICCD’s & Raise the Age’s posts below:
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer just signed legislation increasing the jurisdiction of juvenile court to age 18!
We are celebrating this monumental milestone in justice reform for Michigan youth! By increasing the age of juvenile court jurisdiction, 17-year-olds will no longer be automatically treated as adults for every offense. More children, youth and young adults will be able to get age-appropriate treatment that involves their families, which will, in turn, increase their chances for success. These changes will help reduce crime, recidivism, and taxpayer costs. It is a huge win.
The new legislation also:Requires youth under age 18 in adult jails to be housed separately from adults; Prohibits transportation of youth and adults in the same vehicle; Gives greater discretion to judges and prosecutors; Provides funding for community-based treatment and services; and Requires parental notification at the time of arrest.
We know that with the proper guidance and support, young people have an incredible capacity for rehabilitation and change. Not to mention, about two-thirds of 17-year-olds who are convicted as adults in Michigan have committed nonviolent offenses.
This is a huge victory that will keep thousands of Michigan’s youth out of the adult justice system!
And, our work here is not done. The legislation allows for some youth under age 18 to still be in housed in jail or prison with adults. MCCD won’t stop until there are no Michigan kids incarcerated with adults.
Passing Raise the Age was neither fast nor easy – in fact, the law will not take effect until October 1, 2021 – but it has certainly been worthwhile. And, we couldn’t have done it without you!
Thank you again for being part of this incredible effort to improve the lives of Michigan’s young people!
In gratitude,
Mary King Executive Director, MICCD
———————
RAISE THE AGE POST:
Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation increasing the jurisdiction of juvenile court to age 18!
This is a huge victory in our efforts to reform the justice system in a way that better protects our youth. You all helped to Raise the Age!
If you haven’t done so already, please take time to thank the governor, and then please allow us to thank you:
Because of your efforts, and the governor’s recent signature, 17-year-olds will be able to participate in age-appropriate treatment and their parents will be notified at the time of arrest. Equally important, the legislation provides funding to juvenile courts to implement the policy change, and prohibits the overwhelming majority of 17-year-olds from being held in adult facilities. The law is set to take effect on October 1, 2021.
This also takes Michigan off the notorious short list of states with antiquated laws that allow 17-year-olds to be automatically treated as adults for any offense.
That means that all of you who fought to make this happen–the legislature, coalition partners and supporters–have helped provide for the future success of Michigan’s youth and their families.
Today is a day of gratitude and celebration, in honor of this momentous juvenile justice reform.
Raise The Age just became law.
MDHHS announces Section 298 Pilots Have Come to an End
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 21, 2019
CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov
MDHHS announces Section 298 pilots have come to an end
LANSING, Mich. – Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced the end of the Section 298 pilots following the governor’s veto and the pilot participants’ inability to reach an agreement on a path forward.
“These pilots were supposed to be built on agreement among all participants,” said Robert Gordon, MDHHS director. “After years of work to reach consensus, it has become clear that agreement will not be reached. We remain committed to making our behavioral health system work better for all Michiganders, and it is time to look for new ways to achieve this goal.”
The Section 298 Initiative was a statewide effort to improve the integration of physical health services and specialty behavioral health services in Michigan. It was based upon Section 298 in Public Act 268 of 2016. The Michigan legislature approved a revised version of Section 298 as part of Public Act 207 of 2018.
As part of the initiative, the Michigan legislature directed MDHHS to implement up to three pilots to test the financial integration of Medicaid-funded physical health and specialty behavioral health services. The pilots were announced in March 2018 and were to be implemented by Oct. 1, 2019. Implementation was delayed to Oct. 1, 2020 to allow more time to complete design of a financial integration model.
However, the parties ultimately could not agree on two fundamental issues, the automatic statewide scaling of the model and startup costs. Despite the cancellation, Gordon said much has been learned from the Section 298 pilot design development process that will inform future redesign efforts.
“In the coming weeks, I will be sharing the department’s vision for a stronger behavioral health system,” he said. “Designing a system that works for all Michiganders will take careful planning and extensive collaboration with legislators, families and individuals served by the system and stakeholders. Through this process, we can chart a commonsense path that improves Michiganders’ lives.”
Download MDHHS’s complete Press Release below:
MDHHS Press Release – Section 298 Pilots Ended
Check out the Purposeful Pitch Podcast on Caring for Children with Mental Health Concerns
ACMH Executive Director, Jane Shank, recently participated in a Purposeful Pitch Podcast on “Caring for Children with Mental Health Concerns” Click the link below to hear the Purposeful Pitch podcast and view Joe’s description of the podcast below.
https://anchor.fm/purposeful-pitch/episodes/Caring-for-children-with-mental-health-concerns-e5hlnf
During this episode of Purposeful Pitch, Joe speaks with Jane Shank, Executive Director of the Association for Children’s Mental Health an organization was founded 30 years ago by two mothers committed to brining help and hope to families of children and youth with severe emotional, behavioral and mental health disorders by ensuring they have access to information and support. What makes the ACMH unique is that it’s led and staffed by parents who have faced the same challenges as those who are seeking support. I encourage anyone with children—or thinking about having children—to listen and learn about existing resources, and that you are not alone.
According to a 2016 study by the University of Michigan, nearly half of the 7.7 million children and teens in the country who are living with at least one treatable mental health disorder—including ADHD or anxiety—do not receive needed treatment from a mental health professional. As the father of one such child (at that time of the report), I understand the importance of seeking support: support not only for the child, but for the parent as well.
I know that I often felt alone and didn’t know where to turn during times when I felt completely inadequate as a parent. Not only does this not make sense—as my wife was going through the same experience I was—but it was a detriment to my daughter. My stubbornness and pride didn’t allow me to seek guidance, whether from friends, family, professionals. Fortunately, my daughter’s self-awareness that she needed help broke through, and we finally sought out the treatment she needed.
What I’ve learned over the past several years is that I’m not the only parent who feels like a failure. Here’s a secret: parenting is hard. I’ve also learned that there are resources available to parents of children dealing with mental health issues.
Purposeful Pitch is a podcast facilitated by Joe DiBenedetto and is focused on initiating positive change and addressing socio-economic challenges facing communities across the country. Conversations feature school leaders, CEOs of not-for-profit organizations and public policymakers, among others.
To discuss learn more about Lambert’s Education & Social Impact practice, contact me at jdibenedetto@lambert.com.
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