By K.D. Norris
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Aug. 19 a new federal $1.9 million grant that will help the department’s Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration continue — and expand to Kent County — a crisis counseling program for Michigan residents experiencing mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Regular Services Program: Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides funding for an additional nine months of crisis counseling activities begun under a previous, short-term FEMA grant, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) statement.
It also allows for statewide expansion of behavioral health outreach services previously focused only in the Detroit metro area.
“As the pandemic continues, we know Michiganders are suffering stress, anxiety, and depression because of COVID-19,”Robert Gordon, MDHHS director, said in supplied material. “This grant will help to sustain critical behavioral health counseling and referral services for our residents most in need of support.”
The new grant will expand the current program by providing more trained crisis counselors available for free counseling — which can be reached by dialing the state’s COVID-19 hotline (888-535-3136) and pressing “8.” Nine new counselors will join the seven existing ones, providing 24-hour phone-based emotional support and referral information.
The grant will also allow for more outreach by trained outreach specialists who will connect with members of COVID-19-vulnerable population groups to provide guidance for healthy coping. With the new grant funding, outreach specialists will be hired to support unemployed residents, homeless or housing-insecure individuals, including those in need of isolation housing due to COVID-19, people with substance use and abuse issues, immigrants/limited English‐speaking residents, school teachers and staff, and “people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities/Autism Spectrum Disorder.”
Outreach specialists will collaborate with neighborhood organizations and community mental health agencies in Kent and Muskegon counties, as well as Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Genesee counties, “as well as other COVID-19 hot spots as they emerge” to disseminate psycho-educational materials, tip sheets and guidance. This will include hosting educational webinars and virtual Town Hall events, according to the statement.
There will also be expanded media reach with an “expansive media campaign” to promote the program’s services and resources.
For a menu of services and resources to help manage COVID-19 emotional distress, visit https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_99557—,00.html.
