Kalamazoo PMHC

The Kalamazoo PMHC proposal is seeking priority consideration under the Poverty Priority.

Integrated Services of Kalamazoo is the lead grant applicant, (Mental Health Agency governmental entity as the Kalamazoo County Community Mental Health Authority). Partner applicants include Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department, police/public safety from cities of Kalamazoo, Portage, Vicksburg, Richland, Augusta, Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo Township, Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College as well as Kalamazoo County Consolidated Dispatch. Kalamazoo County jurisdiction (population 259,830) is located in southwest Michigan.  The County population is 79% White, 12% Black, 1.5% American Indian, 5% Hispanic/Latino.  English is the predominant language spoken, with Spanish spoken by 2.98%.  Gender makeup is 49% male and 51% female; 3.8% LGBTQ and 0.6% Transgender.  County poverty rate is 13.8%. There are 67,590 youth under the age of 18 and 13,768 veterans living in the County. Kalamazoo County has 15 high poverty census tracts. Six contiguous, densely populated, high poverty census tracts have some of the highest 911 call volume related to MI/CMISA issues with 198.2 per 1000 vs 56.6 per 1000 in the county overall. These combined census tracts have a poverty rate of 30.7% vs 13.3% county overall. 67.5% of the population are people of color vs 22.6% county overall. Crime index is 264 vs 112 county overall.

Law enforcement encounters with individuals with mental illness and /or co-occurring substance use disorder is a growing concern, as indicated by 911 call volume reports. Many individuals referred to behavioral health services through law enforcement do not effectively engage in needed treatment and receive less services than those without criminal justice involvement. Gaps in data reporting, co-responding crisis response with mental health expertise, continued need for training on best practice crisis response, and limited mental health stabilization alternatives for law enforcement are barriers to addressing issues identified above.

Applicant proposes to develop a PMHC that builds on current strengths and supports a comprehensive, cross system response for MI/CMISA. ISK and law enforcement leadership will form a Council to provide leadership and support for this PMHC. Coordinator will work with the Council to develop and implement a strategic plan including 1) Data reporting process, 2) Co-responding Crisis Response model with mental health expertise, 3) Case consultation process, 4) Crisis Response Center services, 5) Training law enforcement and mental health staff.

Federal Funding of $550,000 is requested.

ISK has not received JMHCP grant funds.

No proposed Subcontractors for this project.