Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Michigan House Establishes New Mental Health Task Force

August 30, 2017---

Task Forces come and go and sometimes they make a difference. In any case, this one gives you an opportunity to communicate to members of the Michigan House of Representatives directly about how you would improve the mental health system in Michigan. The specific topics that the task force is interested in are not related to developmental disabilities, but that does not mean you can't participate and give suggestions. All too often, we are told that everything is just fine for people with developmental disabilities and that we really are amazing at serving people with DD in the community. We know that is not true, so don't let state government sweep problems in the system for people with DD under the rug.

This if from the Michigan Assisted Living Association (MALA) newsletter, August 1, 2017:

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House Establishes New Mental Health Task Force

Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard has created the bipartisan House C.A.R.E.S. (Community, Access, Resources, Education and Safety) task force to obtain input from individuals and professionals for improving mental health services in our state. The task force members are listed below.

The Speaker’s website makes specific reference to gathering information to help develop legislation for reforming mental health services across Michigan to address veterans’ care, substance abuse treatment, mental health courts, and training for law enforcement. The task force will undoubtedly also receive input on other issues.

The task force held its initial meeting on July 31 in Livingston County. According to the Michigan House Republicans website, the next task force meeting is on August 17 at Hope Network in Grand Rapids.

Please note that the public can submit suggestions regarding mental health services in Michigan by e-mail to Rep. Hank Vaupel (R-Fowlerville) who serves as one of the co-chairs for the task force. His e-mail address is HankVaupel@house.mi.gov. The other co-chair is Rep. Klint Kesto (R-Commerce Township)

The other task force members are as follows:


Rep. Edward Canfield D.O. (R-Sebewaing)
Rep. Fred Durhal III (D- Detroit)
Rep. Vanessa Guerra (D-Bridgeport)
Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn)
Rep. Robert Kosowski (D-Westland)
Rep. David LaGrand (D-Grand Rapids)
Rep. Dave Pagel (R-Berrien Springs)
Rep. Daire Rendon (R-Lake City)
Rep. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit)
Rep. Jason Wentworth (R-Clare)
Rep. Mary Whiteford (R-Casco Township)
Rep. Robert Wittenberg (D-Oak Park)


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House C.A.R.E.S. Committee

The next meeting of the Committee will be on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017 in the House Appropriations Room, 352 State Capitol, Lansing. 1 - 3 p.m. meeting to start after legislative session ends for the day.

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