Community Mental Health
For Immediate Release
September 25, 2002
For Additional Information Contact:
Richard Evans
(616) 336-3765
Kent CMH Gains County Approval for Move to Mental Health Authority
Kent County -- Today, the Kent County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution allowing Kent County Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (CMH) to become a Mental Health Authority, in effect removing itself as a County Department starting April 1, 2003.
According to Paul Ippel, Executive Director of Kent CMH, this transition from a Mental Health Agency to an Authority will in no way negatively impact CMH services and supports "Individuals served through CMH will not be impacted. Our vision and mission to meet the increasing mental health and substance abuse needs of this community will remain unchanged," stated Ippel. "Authority status will, however, provide us with much more administrative flexibility. Staff will be better able to effectively and efficiently manage and respond to provider and consumer needs."
The Kent CMH Board first began considering the move to an Authority in 1997 in response to Michigan Department of Community Mental Health (DCH) management and contract requirements. Currently, 35 of the 48 CMH Boards across the state have transitioned to Mental Health Authorities.
Founded in 1966, Kent County CMH continues to serve adults with serious and persistent mental illness, children with emotional disturbance, individuals who are developmentally disabled, and people who struggle with substance abuse. In FY2001 Kent County CMH provided mental health and substance abuse services to more than 13,000 individuals.
