Becoming a Center of
Excellence
Becoming a Center of Excellence
Dr. Brashears
It is with humility and gratefulness that I present our 2024 Annual Report. 2024 was a year of transition for CMHOC. Lynne Doyle, CMHOC Executive Director, retired after serving for over 20 years in Ottawa County. I would like to thank Lynne for her honorable service to Ottawa County and specifically CMHOC. I have returned to Ottawa County to serve once again as Executive Director/CEO of CMHOC after a thirteen-year absence, and I am honored to serve.
As this report will demonstrate, CMHOC has demonstrated a zeal to maintain “Community” in Community Mental Health. Through various State and Federal grants and County Millage dollars, CMHOC has filled the gap left by inadequate Medicaid funding to ensure high quality mental health services.
I would like to thank our CMHOC employees, Contract providers, and CMHOC Board of Directors for their hard work and support.
Community Mental Health of Ottawa County partners with people with mental illness, intellectual/developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, and the broader community to improve lives and be a premier mental health agency in Michigan.
Community Mental Health of Ottawa County strives to enhance quality of life for all residents.
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Always act truthfully, honestly, honorably and without deception; seek no favor; and receive no extraordinary personal gain from the performance of our official duties.
Interact with providers professionally, impartially, fairly and consistently; listen to the recommendations and concerns of each.
Treat each consumer as a customer; and do all we can, within the bounds of state and federal laws, regulations, policies and budget, to meet requests for service.
Interact with all people in a dignified and respectful manner.
Interact with each consumer impartially, fairly and consistently; listen and respond to the recommendations and concerns of each.
Each staff member will perform to the highest professional standards and to his or her highest personal capabilities.
Regard each staff member with professional respect, recognizing that each person using his or her trade or vocation makes a valuable contribution; engage each staff member impartially, fairly and consistently; and listen to the recommendations and concerns of each.
Use of public money in the accomplishment of our mission and hold it as a basic value to discharge our stewardship in a responsible, cost-effective manner, always remembering and respecting the source of the Agency’s funding.
Community Mental Health of Ottawa County (CMHOC) is actively striving to become a recognized Center of Excellence in mental health care, setting the standard for high-quality services and innovative practices. This commitment is driven by our belief that every individual deserves access to comprehensive, effective care that addresses their unique needs. In this annual report, we identify three key pillars that will guide our journey toward this goal:
Keeping the Community in Community Mental Health, Evidence-Based Practices, and Stewardship
The first pillar, Keeping the Community in Community Mental Health, emphasizes the importance of community engagement and collaboration. We recognize that effective mental health care extends beyond clinical settings; it requires strong ties with local organizations, stakeholders, and the individuals we serve. By fostering these connections, we can create a supportive environment where community members feel empowered to seek help and participate in their own care. This pillar also focuses on gathering community feedback to inform our services, ensuring that they remain relevant and responsive to the needs of Ottawa County residents.
The second pillar, Evidence-Based Practices, reflects our commitment to integrating research-driven approaches into our service delivery.
By implementing proven interventions, we aim to enhance the effectiveness of our programs and improve client outcomes. Continuous training and professional development for our staff will ensure that they are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to provide the highest quality of care. This commitment to evidence-based methodologies not only strengthens our service offerings but also builds trust with the community we serve.
Finally, the pillar of Stewardship underscores our responsibility to manage resources wisely and ethically.
As we strive for excellence, we recognize the importance of transparency, accountability, and sustainability in all our operations. By optimizing our resources and ensuring fiscal responsibility, we can enhance our capacity to deliver high-quality services now and into the future.
This stewardship extends to our relationships with clients and partners, as we seek to build trust and foster a collaborative environment where everyone can thrive.
Together, these three pillars form the foundation of CMHOC's vision for becoming a Center of Excellence. Through this focused approach, we are committed to not only improving mental health care in Ottawa County but also to fostering a healthier, more resilient community.
Ottawa County Pathways to Better Health—often simply known as "Pathways"—is a vital local initiative dedicated to supporting underserved and vulnerable residents of Ottawa County.
Established through a coalition of community partners, Pathways aims to address key priority areas identified in the 2015 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), focusing specifically on mental health, access to care, and healthy behaviors.
Pathways Data Points: Since 2018
Pathways Opened
Social Services Referrals
for Food Assistance, Housing, and Chronic Disease Management
Medical Services Referrals for Medical Referrals, Medical Home, Tobacco Cessation, & Health Insurance
Other Referrals
Total Referrals
CMH Consumers
Consumers Breakout: 45 MI Adult, 28 Family Services
The navigator program began in 2020 and consists of three navigator specialists and one navigator clinician. The navigator program was created in response to a gap in services, mainly for those individuals who were experiencing an emergent situational crisis that wasn’t severe enough to need inpatient hospitalization.
When someone is in a situational crisis, they often need immediate support and resources to help them overcome the crisis. If left unaddressed, this crisis could rise to the level of needing more intensive services, such as hospitalization. The core goal of the navigator program is to provide resources quickly and efficiently during these crisis situations.
Through this support and selection of resources that best fit a person's needs, the navigators help individuals overcome their crisis and help them to return to their baseline or state prior to the crisis.
In Fiscal Year 2024, the Navigators provided a total of 3,344 services. Of these, 2,206 were first time contacts to the Navigator Program.
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Navigator Services
Navigator Assistance
Crisis Followups
Prescreens
Crisis Stabilizations
Homelessness Services Provided
Clubhouse and Assertive Community Treatment and Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (ACT/IDDT):
CMHOC has actively implemented a range of Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) to enhance the quality of care for individuals facing mental health challenges. These practices are grounded in research and proven to be effective in improving outcomes for clients. By integrating EBPs into our services, we not only address the diverse needs of the community but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and accountability in mental health care.
In addition to these therapeutic approaches, CMHOC is committed to ongoing staff training and professional development to ensure that team members are well-equipped to deliver these practices effectively. Regular workshops and supervision sessions are held to deepen staff understanding of EBPs and to share best practices among colleagues.
Clubhouse International is a model designed to support individuals with mental illness through a psychosocial rehabilitation approach. It emphasizes social integration and empowerment by creating a supportive environment where members can actively participate in their recovery. Evidence shows that participation in Clubhouse programs leads to improved mental health outcomes, enhanced social skills, and increased employment opportunities. The model fosters a sense of belonging and purpose, which are crucial for recovery, by involving members in the daily operations via a work ordered day and decision-making processes of the Clubhouse.
Members Supported
Lakeside Clubhouse members with employment assisted
(12% higher employment rate than national average)
hours of social activities in the community organized
Healthy meals served
Clubhouse members outreach to support connection and decrease isolation
Hours of skill building through collaborative work
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) are two evidence-based practices aimed at providing comprehensive support for individuals with severe mental illness, often including co-occurring substance use disorders. ACT is characterized by a team-based approach, where mental health professionals deliver personalized care directly in the community, promoting engagement and reducing hospitalizations. IDDT integrates substance use treatment with mental health services, recognizing the interconnectedness of these issues. Research indicates that both ACT and IDDT significantly enhance quality of life, improve treatment adherence, and reduce the incidence of relapses, highlighting the effectiveness of these collaborative, client-centered models in fostering holistic recovery.
In 2024, 10 ACT clients successfully met their treatment goals and were then transferred to a lower level of care.
In 2024, two ACT clients were able to obtain adequate housing utilizing CMHOC’s Permanent Supportive Housing program.
ACT clients often experience greater barriers when obtaining housing due to symptoms or legal or functioning issues, so having two clients find housing is a great success!
Starting in September 2024, CMHOC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Michael Brashears launched an ongoing series called “Did You Know,” aimed at engaging the community and providing a platform for open dialogue. Held at the CMHOC office on James Street in Holland, this series encourages staff, community members, and even the CMHOC Board of Directors to come together and discuss various aspects of CMHOC's work. Topics covered so far include Medicaid Services and funding, State and Local General Fund allocation, CCBHC funding, Millage, and Grants.
Individuals Served in 2024
Individuals Served
Persons with an Intellectual/ Developmental Disability
Adults w/ Mental Illness
Children w/ Serious Emotional Disturbance
Adults w/ a Substance Use Disorder
Children w/ a Substance Use Disorder
Providing services in addition to the Medicaid benefit to the intellectually or developmentally disabled, mentally ill, and substance use disordered population in Ottawa County.
Ensure family, legal guardian, and person served input to the Community Mental Health strategic plan.
Leverage CMHOC's status as a County Department to ensure collaboration with other county departments and county resources.
Development of a robust outcome measurement system that measures the efficacy and quality of all CMHOC services.
Use of best practices and/or evidence-based practices in the delivery of CMHOC services.
Development of a utilization management system that ensures consistency in determining the amount, scope, and duration of medically necessary services, and ensures fiscal stewardship of all CMHOC funds.