Service Expansion

By leveraging millage funds, Washtenaw County Community Mental Health has expanded access for individuals with no insurance, public insurance, or private insurance; expanded care to individuals with mild to moderate mental health needs; and expanded crisis services to include face-to-face services.

Care across the county?

Substance use treatment and recovery?

QUESTION

How is the millage improving access to…

How is the millage improving access to…

…care across the county?

Washtenaw County Community Mental Health extends its services to residents across the county, encompassing both vulnerable rural communities and densely populated urban areas, ensuring equitable access to resources regardless of geographical location or socioeconomic background.

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ANSWER:

The CARES team provides 24/7 services to everyone

Funded by the millage and Washtenaw’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, this specialized team helps everyone, 24/7, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Services include answering questions about mental health and substance use concerns, screening for needs, providing referrals, therapeutic care, and more.

2.4 times more individuals were served in 2023 compared to the year before millage funds were available.

ANSWER:

Telehealth and co-located providers are convenient ways to access help

Through telehealth and millage-funded therapists co-located at organizations across the county, Washtenaw County Community Mental Health can serve individuals in urban and rural locations—even those with limited transportation. During COVID, WCCMH pivoted to telehealth, which continues to be a convenient way to access help.

Half of the individuals served live in Ypsilanti; nearly 20% live in rural communities.

ANSWER:

The expanded crisis team supports more residents

Fourteen full-time, crisis team positions are funded by the millage. Millage funding allows the team to provide more in-person and telehealth crisis services because they can offset service costs not reimbursed by insurers. In 2023, the crisis team spent nearly 7,000 hours providing care to individuals in need across the county.

76% of the crisis team's cases were assigned a clinician for follow up care.

ANSWER:

Washtenaw Health Project supports those with language, insurance barriers

With millage funds, this non-profit organization provides referrals to therapeutic services and mental health resources to help increase accessibility, particularly for those who face language and insurance barriers. In 2023, the Washtenaw Health Project received an additional $165,000 commitment from the Millage Advisory Committee.

61 people had 610 mental health counseling sessions through the Washtenaw Health Project.

*This data is from WCCMH’s FY 2023 (October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023)

How is the millage improving access to…

…substance use treatment and recovery?

Thanks to the millage, residents can now call 734-544-3050 to access same day screening, treatment authorization, referral to community-based treatment providers, and more.

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ANSWER:

Single point of access for substance use disorder concerns

On January 1, 2022, Washtenaw County Community Mental Health’s millage-funded 24/7 call center became the primary access point for all substance use treatment needs. The team uses a universal screening tool to assess need for therapeutic services. Residents can now call 734-544-3050 to receive various forms of substance use support.

1,965 total substance use disorder assessments.

ANSWER:

Substance use treatment referrals to community providers  

Washtenaw County Community Mental Health referrals to substance use community-based providers give individuals more choice than previously. The past system assigned individuals to one of two providers based on their birth date. Now, WCCMH provides individualized referrals based of the needs and preferences of the caller.

256 referrals to 13 local providers.  

*This data uses WCCMH’s Fiscal Year (October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023)

A suicide hotline is great, but coming to your house is better. We can see your home environment to learn more about your situation. And we can drive you to the hospital and walk you through check-in, which is scary to do alone, especially when you’re upset. We’re in-person support for people having the worst day of their lives”

—  Emily Scheitz, crisis team member.

To access millage-funded services,
call 1-734-544-3050