Week of October 7, 2024 

Written By Heather Haely

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 
And the next Governor will be ….

In the latest Michigan gubernatorial poll for 2026 (by MIRS News), Republican U.S. Rep. John James leads with 28 percent, followed by Tudor Dixon at 27 percent. Other GOP contenders, including Adam Rinke (3 percent), Tom Leonard, and Sen. Aric Nesbitt, failed to gain significant traction, each polling at zero percent. On the Democratic side, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg leads with 38 percent, with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson at 18 percent, while Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan (3 percent), Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson (2 percent), Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II (2 percent), and Sen. Mallory McMorrow (1 percent) trail behind. Notably, a large share of voters remains undecided, with 41 percent of Republicans and 36 percent of Democrats selecting “not sure.” The poll was conducted on Monday, Sept. 30 of 709 likely voters with a margin of error of (+/-) 3.68 percent. 


02
Judge Mack Seeks Support for Mental Health Bills

Judge Mack (ret.) is seeking assistance in supporting Senate Bills 915-918, which aim to improve mental health interventions, including Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT). He anticipates a public hearing in the Senate Health Policy Committee this fall and has provided key resources, including a PowerPoint for law enforcement training that highlights success stories like Eric Smith’s recovery through AOT. Any support in advancing these critical reforms in partnership with the Judge is welcomed.

  • For more insight, a report can be found in the appendix of the National Task Force report which includes the reference to AOT being the default choice for involuntary treatment. Here is a link below to the COSCA policy paper that led to the National Task Force. 


  

ICYMI

Providers in the News

  • Beeck Center Secures $8 Million Gift From Ballmer Group To Strengthen Governments' Ability To Deliver Critical Services To Communities, PRNewswire

  • Holland Hospital expands access to mental health treatment with $3M grant, Holland Sentinal


Legislative Updates

  • Kildee Announces New Federal Funding to Fund Local Substance Use, Mental Health Treatment Programs, Kildee News Release


SUD

  • Drug Overdose Deaths Are Dropping. The Reasons Are Not Perfectly Clear. New York Times


Other News

  • Horses helping humans: An emerging treatment for kids struggling with mental health, Kalamzaoo Gazette

  

MEDICAID LETTERS

Medicaid Letters can be accessed here on the MDHHS website. 


  

EVENTS

  • CMHAM Fall Conference Traverse City, Oct 21-22 

Thanks for reading the Behavioral Health Bulletin (Pull Up Your Chair). If I got something wrong, missed something important, failed to cite a source, or something resonates with you, please link below or email me at dcherrin@northcoaststrategies.com. And please share the link so others can subscribe for free to receive new weekly posts. If you have an event you want to share, please get in touch with Daniel Cherrin.

Heather Haely
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Week of October 14, 2024 
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Week of September 30, 2024