2022 was the fourth year that the Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage provided funding to expand access to mental health and substance use services across Washtenaw County.
In the latest impact report, we share information about dozens of people and programs funded with millage dollars, and the impact they have had on our community.
"The impact of the millage has been truly remarkable,” says Trish Cortes, executive director of Washtenaw County Community Mental Health. “Historically mental health has been poorly funded, but flexible millage dollars have enabled us to make significant strides in critical areas, transforming the landscape of mental health services in our community."
Without millage support, Washtenaw County Community Mental Health (WCCMH), would be unable to serve many local residents. State criteria limit WCCMH service to Medicaid enrollees with severe mental illness, severe emotional disturbance, and emergency needs. Millage funds allow WCCMH to serve the county community more comprehensively, including uninsured residents, privately insured residents without adequate mental health coverage, and residents with mild to moderate mental health and substance use concerns. The additional dollars have also enabled the county to provide face-to-face responses to individuals in crisis and expanded staffing to meet increasing needs.
The millage investments also benefit community agencies across the county, including Avalon Housing, the Corner Health Center, and the National Alliance of Mental Illness-Washtenaw County, enabling them to expand their programs and support an even greater number of people in need.
The report highlights the impact of investments in five critical areas:
- Mental health service expansion
- Housing and mental health services for homeless individuals
- Criminal justice reform to help law enforcement better respond to people with mental Illness
- Youth mental health services
- Mental health prevention and education