The Michigan Department of Community Health has submitted an application to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration for Community Mental Health Block Grant funding. The application is for funding of $13,088,713 for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2008. These annual funds are used to improve public community-based mental health services for adults who have serious mental illness and for children who have serious emotional disturbance.

The application is in the form of a proposed three-year plan for Michigan's community mental health system. Public comment on the plan is invited. The plan can be accessed at the following site: http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2941_4868_4902-125922--,00.html. There is a link at the site that may be used to submit comments.

If you would like a copy of the plan mailed to you, please call Karen Cashen at (517) 335-5934 or e-mail her at cashenk@michigan.gov.