Week of October 14, 2024

Governor Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Bills Expanding Mental Health Support and School Safety for Michigan Students: Governor Whitmer signed House Bill 5503 and Senate Bills 567 and 568, marking a significant step in expanding mental health support for Michigan students. House Bill 5503 allocates $125 million from the School Aid Fund to enhance school safety and mental health services across districts, ensuring students can access the necessary resources. Senate Bills 567 and 568 strengthen mental health initiatives by incorporating proven strategies for addressing dyslexia and ensuring early interventions, setting Michigan students up for long-term success.​ Michigan Children to Get Additional School Safety, Mental Health Supports

More Mental Treatment For Offenders May Be On The Way: Legislation designed to make it easier for courts to provide mental health treatment for those in trouble with the law received broad support in a Senate committee this afternoon from advocates who argue that intervention works better than incarceration or hospitalization. SB 915, SB 916, SB 917 , and SB 918 expand on reforms spurred on by retired Judge Milton MACK, chair of the Governor’s Mental Health Diversion Council, as well as others on the panel.  Over the past several years, Michigan’s criminal justice system has moved away from locking up offenders and jacking up sentences, leaning instead toward finding treatment and addressing what's determined to have been the root causes of the crimes.  Under these bills, mentally ill offenders would be steered toward community mental health agencies for outpatient treatment services. ​ Mack told the Senate Health Policy Committee today that hospitals are short of bed space. Short bed space equals short stays, which doesn’t give patients the time needed to have their issues fully addressed. 

A study of the Wayne County Probate Court flagged a “revolving door” of mentally troubled perpetrators who are released back into the community while still involved with treatment because there isn’t bed space available for them in a hospital or jail, he said. ​ “All we’re doing here is expanding who can testify to the need for treatment,” said Mack, adding that these aren’t bills that expand anybody’s scope of practice. The mentally ill will still receive treatment overseen by a psychiatrist at a community mental health agency. ​ Also, speaking in support of the bills were Kevin FISCHER, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness; Marianne HUFF, of the Mental Health Association in Michigan; Kyle WILLIAMS director of litigation at Disability Rights Michigan; and Marjorie KAUTH-KARJALA, the parent of two sons with serious and persistent mental illness. ​ Prosecutors, advocates, hospitals and community health have come together in a rare show of solid agreement that the solution sought from these bills is “a good thing to do,” Williams said.  “This bill package is an excellent opportunity to fix something that is an issue and will have downstream, positive impacts on the entire mental health system,” he said.  The Michigan Health and Hospital Association and National Association of Social Workers also turned in cards of support for the package. No one testified or turned in a card in opposition.​  According to Judge Mack "You can still weigh in. Letters to Senator Hertel, the committee chair will be shared with the members. Time is of the essence to get a committee vote and passage by the Senate so that the bills can be taken up in the House before session ends."

Board Rejects Amendment to Give Parents Control Over School Mental Health Providers, Debunked ‘Furry’ Hoax Cited in Debate:  Republican Board member Tom McMILLIN wanted to add an amendment to a resolution that would ask the Michigan Legislature and Gov. Gretchen WHITMER to continue to provide mental health and school safety funding on a recurring basis going forward.   His amendment would have asked for funding to be able to be applied to parents to determine where the mental health service providers would come from. McMillin said it was because the mental health assistance from the school might not meet the same “worldview” of the parents. “The child says they feel that they need a litter box because they feel like they’re a cat,” he said. “Is this something that the mental health professional is going to condone or encourage?” The idea comes from a widespread social media hoax in 2021 and 2022 where students identified as “furries” demanded litter boxes needed to be put in public schools. Reuters and other news outlets debunked the hoax, including one centered in Midland.  The board voted McMillin’s amendment down. “You as a parent should know your child,” Marshall BULLOCK II said. McMillin was the sole no vote on the final vote to pass the resolution. [MIRS]

SBE Asks For More Mental Health, School Safety, Special Education Funding:  The State Board of Education passed two resolutions today, both asking for more funding in the areas of mental health, school safety and special education funding.  In a rare show of bipartisanship, board members added both of the resolutions to the agenda with unanimous votes. The resolution to ask the U.S. Congress to fund 40 percent of the costs of services for students with disabilities also passed unanimously.  

And the next Mayor of Detroit will be…. We might be focused on getting through the presidential election, but local politicians are already gearing up for next year’s mayoral race. Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield was early off the blocks, followed by Joel Haashiim, a former party store owner and wholesaler. Saunteel Jenkins, former councilmember and now CEO of The Heat and Warmth Fund, is exploring a run, and City Council member Fred Durhal just joined the race. Mayor Mike Duggan hasn’t said whether he will run again, but word on the street is that he has his eye on the governor’s job. Whoever runs, let’s hope more Detroiters turn out to vote next year than in the last mayoral race. Only 18% of registered voters voted in the 2021 general election. [Detroit Free Press + Detour)

Press Releases 

• Michigan Children to Get Additional School Safety, Mental Health Supports

• Kildee Announces Federal Funding for Behavioral Health Care in Mid-Michigan

ICYMI

• Opinion | Demand-reduction strategies can help tackle Michigan's opioid epidemic, BY Dr. Kanzoni Asabigi, [Bridge Magazine]

• From the Edge of Bankruptcy to a Decade of Surpluses — Wayne County, Mich., nearly filed for bankruptcy in 2014. It just posted its 10th budget surplus in a row. READ MORE [Governing]

• Michigan Democrats may dissolve panel critical of Whitmer opioid efforts - Michigan Democrats may disband the state’s Opioid Advisory Commission, which has been critical of some drug-fighting efforts of the administration of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. [Bridge Magazine]

• Congressman, local leaders want answers over Detroit hospital patient abuse, suicide [WXYZ ABC TV Detroit]

• LifeWays peer support and recovery staff inspire clients to 'walk the walk' [Model D]

• The Benefits of ADHD Management Tools [A Healthier Michigan, BCBS]]

• Advancing Household Financial Stability in Detroit, [Chicago Fed]

• Hamilton Community Health Network receives $600k grant to expand treatment services [WEYI TV Flint]

• Great Lakes Bay Health Centers is consolidating buildings and expanding services in Bay City [Second Wave]

• Action Summit’ focused on behavioral health Sept. 30, [Leelanau Enterprise]

• From new beginnings and second chances, Detroit Rescue Mission celebrates 115 years​, [Detroit News]

• Michigan must put opioid settlement dollars to good use​ [Detroit News]