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Michigan receives $10 million to integrate primary and behavioral health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 13, 2018

CONTACT: Angela Minicuci, 517-241-2112

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently received up to $10 million in grant funds from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to promote integration of primary and behavioral healthcare. The program will improve access to and quality of care to Michiganders by strengthening the coordination of physical health, mental health and substance use disorder services.

The funds, up to $2 million annually for the next five years, will be used to implement the Promoting Integration of Primary and Behavioral Health Care program. The program’s goals are to:

  • Promote full integration and collaboration in clinical practice between primary and behavioral healthcare.
  • Support the improvement of integrated care models for primary care and behavioral health care to improve the overall wellness and physical health status of adults with a serious mental illness or children with a serious emotional disturbance.
  • Promote and offer integrated care services related to screening, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of mental and substance use disorders, and co-occurring physical health conditions and chronic diseases.

“This program allows for a continuum of prevention, treatment and recovery support services,” said Lynda Zeller, deputy director for MDHHS’ Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration. “Integrating behavioral health care with primary care is considered an effective strategy for improving overall health outcomes, and could greatly improve the lives of many Michigan residents.”

SAMHSA requires states partner with both a Community Mental Health Services Program (CMHSP) and a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) to ensure primary care and behavioral health services are addressed. MDHHS is partnering with the following community-based providers to implement the program:

  • Cherry Health (secondary partner with Barry County CMHSP).
  • Saginaw County CMHSP (secondary partner with Great Lakes Bay Health Center).
  • Shiawassee County CMHSP (secondary partner with Great Lakes Bay Health Center). 

MDHHS worked with CMHSPs, FQHC organizations, the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan and the Michigan Primary Care Association to select these partners.

MDHHS will begin implementing the PIPBHC program by convening a meeting with its partners this fall. More information about the program is available on the SAMHSA website.

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