For Immediate Release

Macomb Mental Health invites community to public forum
Community input may impact final federal rules

Macomb County Community Mental Health (MCCMH) is hosting a community conversation about Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28 at the Community Care Center in Sterling Heights.    

HCBS provide Medicaid beneficiaries with opportunities to receive services in their own home or community rather than in institutions or other isolated settings. These programs serve people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and/or mental illnesses.

A panel of mental health care experts will discuss the Federal HCBS Final Rule, which seeks to promote inclusion, access and full participation of services in the local community. The Michigan State Transition Plan will also be discussed before it is completed and sent to the federal government by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.  
 
“The Community and Mental Health Board and administration want to hear from the community about how we can make our local approach to the mandate the best experience and benefit for individuals and families served by Macomb County Community Mental Health,” said John Kinch, executive director of MCCMH.

In 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services published a set of rules for the delivery of HCBS through Medicaid waiver programs. Through the HCBS rules, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services aim to improve the experience of individuals receiving services by enhancing access to the community, promoting the delivery of services in more integrated settings and expanding the use of person-centered planning.

In response, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is developing a statewide transition plan to bring its waiver programs into compliance with the new federal regulations while continuing to provide vital services and supports to Michigan citizens.

On Feb. 17, the agency hosted a Legislators’ Educational Forum to discuss current issues in mental health, namely a state-planned decrease in funding which would leave MCCMH facing a total budget cut of $30 million by September 2017. Participants also discussed how budget cuts would impact Community Living Supports Services, which support adults with serious mental illness, children with severe emotional disturbance, children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and substance abuse disorders.

Politicians and the community expressed support for assuring adequate Medicaid funding in Macomb County for the approximately 181,000 Macomb County residents enrolled in Medicaid, of which the MCCMH serves approximately 15,000 annually.

To register to be part of the community conversation, please email Stacey Raymond of MCCMH at stacey.raymond@mccmh.net. Walk-ins are welcome.

Macomb County Community Mental Health is the public provider of mental health, substance use and developmental disability treatment services in Macomb County. MCCMH programs and services are supported and funded, in part, by the Michigan Department of Community Health and the Macomb County Board of Commissioners and are administered by the Macomb County Community Mental Health Board. Visit http://www.mccmh.net/ online for more information.

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For Immediate Release

Macomb Community Action March for Meals campaign
uses T-shirt fundraiser to raise awareness

The Office of Senior Services, an entity of Macomb Community Action, has begun its annual March for Meals campaign and is actively seeking volunteers and donations for the Macomb County Meals on Wheels program.

During the month of March, Meals on Wheels programs across the country participate in the March for Meals campaign to raise public awareness of senior hunger, raise funds to support Meals on Wheels services and recruit volunteers to assist in the delivery of the meals.

Thinking outside the box, the Office of Senior Services is offering the option of purchasing a March for Meals campaign T-shirt as a way to make a donation.

“We are truly excited to be able to offer the T-shirts as an option this year to those who want to give financial support to our program,” said Nicole Urban, program manager for the Office of Senior Services.

Macomb Meals on Wheels receives federal funding through the Older American Act, along with additional funds from the state of Michigan and Macomb County. These funds do not cover the full cost to provide service to the 1,800 seniors in need of the program. A voluntary contribution from program participants is requested; however, for the 24 percent of participants living in poverty, this can be very challenging.

The March for Meals T-shirts will be available March 15-29 for $20 and can be purchased athttps://booster.com/March-for-Meals-Campaign. All of the money raised from the T-shirt purchases will be used to serve more meals to seniors in Macomb County. Those interested in volunteering for Meals on Wheels can register by contacting the Macomb Community Action’s Office of Senior Services at (569) 469-5228 or by visiting theMeals on Wheels volunteer webpage.