Washtenaw County Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage implementation
Community partners in public safety seek to reduce the number of low-risk, low-level offenders with moderate to severe mental illness or substance use in jail and to redirect them to a supported and well-resourced path to community-based recovery. Community partners in mental health hope to offer immediate mental health and substance use disorder crisis response; to provide short-term services for adults and youth, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, who have difficulty securing the services they require; to enhance mental health and substance use disorder assessment and treatment in the jail while supporting diversion options and offering expanded education and support for first responders; and to support education, prevention, and awareness in collaboration with schools, faith communities, health care providers, and other local groups.
CHRT is working with Washtenaw County Community Mental Health to implement the recommendations of the Washtenaw County Community Mental Health Advisory Council. These recommendations for mental health millage investments include expanding crisis services, increasing prevention work, enhancing youth services, addressing substance use service gaps, helping residents better navigate the county’s mental health system, and more. CHRT will also assist with evaluation and communications, ensuring that the community is aware of service expansions and that staff have the data they need to continuously improve programs and services. Furthermore, CHRT is working with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office to analyze data to inform policy and procedural changes aimed at diverting individuals with mental health and substance use needs away from the criminal justice system and into alternative programs and treatment settings.