Gov.

Rick Snyder: Mental Health Diversion Council progress report

implements strategies to help people, communities
Health agencies, law enforcement working to reduce risk, improve care
Monday, Sept. 8, 2014
LANSING, Mich. Michigan is taking steps to reduce the number of people with mental illness,
intellectual or developmental disabilities and substance use struggles from entering the corrections
system while still maintaining public safety, according to a report issued by the states Mental Health
Diversion Council.
On Friday, Sept. 5, the council provided Gov. Rick Snyder with an update of its activity, focusing on
achievements and looking ahead, recognizing that there is more work to do.
Snyder created the Mental Health Diversion Council in a 2013 executive order, charging the body
with creating an action plan outlining goals, strategies and recommendations to help people
struggling with mental illness get the help they need without endangering themselves or others.
Chaired by Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, the council has made significant progress around screening,
assessment and treatment of people with mental illness, and ensuring effective coordination with
local partners.
Weve made great strides to improve the mental health system and the people it serves, especially
in the area of diversion, Snyder said. The diversion councils work and blueprint for moving ahead
is vitally important as we continue working to reduce risks while providing care to those in need.
Working with partners in the Legislature and experts in the field, the council can point to progress in
several areas, including:
Establishing mental health courts that have proven to be an effective tool and efforts to
expand those courts are underway.
Passing legislation Public Acts 28 and 29 of 2014 -- that maximizes alternatives to jail for
people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities.
Training police officers to deal specifically with the mental health population in the form of
Crisis Intervention Training which is a 40-hour regimen addressing how to engage the
mentally ill in the field and how best to divert them when possible. A pilot is currently
underway in Kalamazoo.
Helping communities around the state by implementing five pilot programs focusing on
innovative ways divert the mentally ill and developmentally disabled from incarceration. Pilots
are located in Marquette, St. Joseph and Kalamazoo, along with two in Detroit.

Mental health is as important as physical health, and we are focused on making sure people get the
care they need, Calley said. We also recognize that keeping our communities safe is vitally
important. The council is dedicated to working with people before there are problems, but also
finding ways to improve diversion once they encounter the criminal justice system. I appreciate the
dedication and expertise of the council members as we continue this important mission.
The 18-member diversion council includes representatives from the Michigan Department of
Community Health and the Michigan Department of Corrections. Also included are experts from a
variety of fields that work with people challenged by mental illness as well as the law enforcement
community.
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