CMH

Senator Stabenow Announces New Funding to Expand Mental Health and Addiction Services in Greater Lansing

Senator Stabenow Announces New Funding to Expand Mental Health and Addiction Services in Greater Lansing

     I.        LANSING — US. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced $3,366,000 in funding from the recently passed federal budget to expand mental health and addiction services provided by the Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties. This funding will be used to establish a Crisis Stabilization Unit to provide short-term behavioral health services to those who need it. The unit is expected to divert people into treatment and out of jails and emergency rooms.

This funding builds on Senator Stabenow’s effort to transform the way we fund mental health and addiction treatment in America through her signature Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. There are currently 33 locations being funded in Michigan, including the Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties.

“The Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties is transforming the way we deliver behavioral health services in the Greater Lansing area,” said Senator Stabenow. “This investment will help make sure no person has to sit in jail or the emergency room when what they really need is immediate mental health or addiction services.”

“Senator Stabenow has been a tireless champion of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Model and of adequately funding and sustaining behavioral health services. As a CCBHC Expansion Grantee and State CCBHC Demonstration Project Site serving the Capital Area of Michigan, we offer an array of crisis and specialty behavioral health services to the community,” said Sara Lurie, Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham CEO. “To take another important step toward better serving the needs of the community, we submitted a community project proposal to Senator Stabenow’s office for start-up of a Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) for the Capital Area. Increased demand, coupled with a shortage of local and state community psychiatric hospital beds, has put a strain on our existing Crisis Services Units, on hospital emergency departments, and has added to the incarceration of individuals with serious, untreated mental health issues. Establishment of a CSU will allow us to reposition, enhance and expand the existing youth and adult Crisis Services, offering a secure environment where individuals can immediately begin treatment. We are excited and ready to accelerate our planning efforts to make this a reality for our community and grateful to Senator Stabenow for her unwavering support for the overall health and well-being of all Michigan Citizens.” 

“Michigan’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics have powerfully and dramatically improved access to mental health care in communities across the state. The funding that Senator Stabenow secured in the federal budget for these clinics is welcome news for the hundreds of thousands of Michiganders who are served by that them every year,” said Robert Sheehan, Community Mental Health Association of Michigan CEO. 

“County jails all across this country have become the single largest mental health facilities.Projects like Crisis Stabilization Units will ensure the proper short term mental health care for people while looking for better long term mental health solutions,” said Scott Wrigglesworth, Ingham County Sheriff. 

For years, Senator Stabenow has been leading the effort to fund health care above the neck the same way we fund health care below the neck. She authored the bipartisan Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act with Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), which was signed into law in 2014.

Senator Stabenow’s legislation accomplished two critical needs:

• Created high-quality standards through Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. These clinics are required to provide a comprehensive set of behavioral health services to anyone who walks through their door, including 24/7/365 crisis services; outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment services; immediate screenings, risk assessments, and diagnoses; and care coordination with emergency rooms, law enforcement, and veteran groups.
• Established a nationwide initiative to permanently close the gap in funding between physical and behavioral health care. Rather than depend on grant funding, Senator Stabenow created a completely new model where Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics will receive reimbursement through Medicaid for the full cost of services they provide at higher, more competitive rates than community mental health centers currently receive.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, people who receive services at Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics:

• Had 63.2% fewer emergency department visits for behavioral health.
• Spent 60.3% less time in jails.
• Saw a 40.7% decrease in homelessness.

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CMHA-CEI Recognizing National Recovery Month in September

CMHA-CEI Recognizing National Recovery Month in September

Lansing, MI - Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) is raising awareness of recovery resources and tools for the tri-county area during National Recovery Month. National Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with mental and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives. Now in its 31st year, Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those living in recovery.

CMHA-CEI recognizes the importance of mental health and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) recovery and is promoting several resources and events that the community can use to support individuals during Recovery Month. These resources and tools can help aid someone in recognizing that they are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, need access to treatment, and access to recovery supports.

The Behavioral Health Screening Tool: If you see changes in someone in your life, it could be a sign they’re struggling with their behavioral health. Let them know that you’re there for them by sharing a behavioral health screening that they can take anonymously from their device. To utilize the screening tool, please visit: https://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/CEI

Integrated Treatment and Recovery Services (ITRS) at CMHA-CEI: Integrated Treatment & Recovery Services (ITRS) (formerly Substance Abuse Services) provides withdrawal management, residential and outpatient substance use disorder services involving individual and group therapy sessions. Peer recovery coaching and case management is also offered, as well as integrated healthcare in community partnering health clinics.To learn about ITRS, please visit: http://www.ceicmh.org/services/itrs

The Community Mental Health Association of Michigan’s Walk a Mile Event: CMHA-CEI and multiple Community Mental Health organizations around Michigan will be participating in the Walk a Mile event, which will take place on Wednesday, September 29^th in Lansing. CMHA-CEI encourages the community to participate in the walk to give individuals a platform to voice the need of behavioral health services in Michigan. To learn more about the importance of this event and event details, please visit: https://cmham.org/education-events/walk-a-mile-rally/

If you or someone you know is suffering from a behavioral or SUD crisis, please call our ACCESS line at 517-346-8318 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To learn more about our services and programs, please visit CMHA-CEI at www.ceicmh.org

Visit the CMHA-CEI Facebook Page to read the highlighted stories here: https://www.facebook.com/ceicmh

About Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI):
The Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) provides, directly and through partnerships, a comprehensive set of person-centered, high quality, and effective behavioral health, substance abuse, and developmental disability services to the residents of this community.

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CMHA-CEI Highlights Two Recovery Stories during National Recovery Month

CMHA-CEI Highlights Two Recovery Stories during National Recovery Month:

First Day of Recovery vs. Last Day of Recovery

Lansing, MI – During National Recovery Month, Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) will highlight several recovery stories of mental health and substance use disorder (SUD).

“When I was not using, I was a successful person. When I was not pleasing my friends on the streets, I would stay away from the drugs. There was a lot of peer pressure that led me to fall back into old habits because I would go back to my old friends who were users”, explained Dane. Dane, is in his late 40’s. The look of exhaustion and optimism pass over his facial expressions as he explains his life story. Dane is in his fourth day at the House of Commons (HOC).

Dane has entered treatment through involvement in the court system, which may order individuals to participate in a 12-week SUD treatment and recovery program such as House of Commons. He is not alone, there are currently other men in HOC either waiting to be sentenced, or who have been sentenced to attend the HOC due to previous drug related offenses.

So far, Dane feels hopeful and optimistic for the 90-day program. Dane explained that he loves his schedule as it pertains to adopting healthy habits, structure, and learning new skills. There are different appointments that Dane will be set up with, including an optometrist appointment to receive new glasses, healthcare appointments, and more.

On the other spectrum, is Brett. Brett’s last day of the 90-day program is in three days. He explains that everyone has their way of coping with past trauma, and has found solace in putting his emotions on paper, instead of acting on them. Brett loves to write poetry. “Writing poems is elaborating and a form of therapy for me to put everything down on a piece of paper”, states Brett.

Many of the men at HOC have past traumas, which ultimately was the reason they started to abuse substances. For others, drug use was just a strategy to escape the symptoms of mental illness and falling into the clutches of peer pressure by their peers. This unhealthy mix would turn into the perfect storm for addiction to occur.

If you see changes in someone in your life, it could be a sign they’re struggling with their behavioral health. Let them know that you’re there for them by sharing a behavioral health screening that they can take anonymously from their device. To utilize the Behavioral Health Screening Tool, please visit: https://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/CEI

If you or someone you know is suffering from a behavioral or SUD crisis, please call our ACCESS line at 517-346-8318 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To learn more about our services and programs, please visit CMHA-CEI at www.ceicmh.org

Visit the CMHA-CEI Facebook Page to read the highlighted stories here: https://www.facebook.com/ceicmh

About Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI):
The Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) provides, directly and through partnerships, a comprehensive set of person-centered, high quality, and effective behavioral health, substance abuse, and developmental disability services to the residents of this community.

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CMHA-CEI Promoting Recovery Stories on Social Media During National Recovery Month

CMHA-CEI Promoting Recovery Stories on Social Media During National Recovery Month

Lansing, MI - Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) will be highlighting several recovery stories of individuals during the month of September on the CMHA-CEI Facebook page. Three of the four individuals are participating in the 12-week substance use treatment program at the House of Commons (HOC). The fourth individual is a Certified Recovery Coach, who currently works for CMHA-CEI.

The House of the Commons (HOC) has been a respected leader in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment field for more than 48 years. The program helps adult men change their lives by providing the requisite tools for establishing and maintaining a drug free and crime free lifestyle. HOC works to create a co-occurring capable system that is welcoming, person-centered, recovery oriented, culturally competent and trauma informed. The courses offered provides individuals with the tools to be successful when they leave the facility and to manage the stresses of the outside world. In some cases, those tools are lost during their road in recovery.

“When it comes to recovery, ALL. EVERY. ALWAYS. NEVER. ALWAYS. EVERY. ALL. The idea came to me one day during a session with a client,” explained Quenton Lerma, House of Commons Program Coordinator, Integrated Treatment & Recovery Services. “We were talking about concrete thinking and I told him things rarely fall into the “All” category. We should not itemize people talking about “every” person, “everyone” knows, “every” time I try, and things will not “always” be that way, nor do they “always” happen. The client said, “I like that man! You should write that down. With no paper in hand, I wrote it on the office wall. “ALL. EVERY. ALWAYS. NEVER. ALWAYS. EVERY. ALL. It became a way of thinking about recovery, using these types of words, unconsciously using words that allow no variables, are limiting for those in recovery.”

CMHA-CEI will be highlighting four individuals who felt it was important to tell their story, and to hopefully help others. All of the individuals were open to sharing their story of substance use to complete strangers in order to help raise awareness of the SUD and mental health treatment and recovery options that are available. For many that were interviewed, HOC was their last option before being sentenced to prison, or to possibly overdosing on the streets. Painful memories were relived, but hope and perseverance is obvious when reading these stories.

If you see changes in someone in your life, it could be a sign they’re struggling with their behavioral health. Let them know that you’re there for them by sharing a behavioral health screening that they can take anonymously from their device. To utilize the Behavioral Health Screening Tool, please visit: https://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/CEI

If you or someone you know is suffering from a behavioral or SUD crisis, please call our ACCESS line at 517-346-8318 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To learn more about our services and programs, please visit CMHA-CEI at www.ceicmh.org

Visit the CMHA-CEI Facebook Page to read the highlighted stories here: https://www.facebook.com/ceicmh

About Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI):
The Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) provides, directly and through partnerships, a comprehensive set of person-centered, high quality, and effective behavioral health, substance abuse, and developmental disability services to the residents of this community.

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CMHA-CEI Holding Weekly Hiring Fairs for Residential Technician Positions

CMHA-CEI Holding Weekly Hiring Fairs for Residential Technician Positions

July 13, 2021

PRESS RELEASE

Lansing, MI - Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) is holding a weekly hiring fair every Tuesday from 1:00PM to 3:00PM in the main lobby, located at 812 E. Jolly Rd, Lansing, MI 48910. CMHA-CEI is looking to hire for multiple Residential Technician positions for Adult Mental Health Services, and the weekly hiring fairs will be ongoing until all positions are filled.

A current Residential Technician at CMHA-CEI thought that working as a Residential Technician would be a typical summer job, but instead turned into a rewarding lifelong experience. “As a Residential Technician, we grow and enrich lives through diverse opportunities of connection. Through this type of work, we encounter opportunities that help shape our look on life for the better. It is a great feeling knowing that you are going to wake up every morning and have an opportunity to positively impact someone’s life. I feel as though my life has been positively impacted by the relationships that I have built over the years, and that I continue to help others with living their best life every day.”

The ideal candidate will have an interest in assisting individuals with personal care and treatment, and provides support in self-identified goals developed to maximize an individual’s full potential in a residential setting.Various job duties include: support mental illness symptoms management, training and assisting residents in daily living skills such as medication management; personal care; interpersonal communication skills; cleaning; meal preparation and laundry; de-escalations skills; maintaining required documentation; and assisting residents in participation in community activities. Attends mandatory staff meetings and in-service training sessions.

The Residential Technician positions have a flexible schedule, 0—19 hours per week. These positions are great for students or those looking for supplemental jobs. Positions have the ability to grow into part-time and full-time opportunities that include increase of salary and benefits.

To apply for a Residential Technician position, all candidates must have a valid driver’s license, a GED or high school diploma, and must be able to pass a background check.

For more information about the Residential Technician weekly hiring fairs, please visit Eventbrite by clicking here: Eventbrite.com

For more information about current job postings, please visit www.ceicmh.org

About Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI):
The Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) provides, directly and through partnerships, a comprehensive set of person-centered, high quality, and effective behavioral health, substance abuse, and developmental disability services to the residents of this community.

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CMHA-CEI Holding Weekly Hiring Fairs for Residential Technician Positions from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the main lobby of 812 E. Jolly Rd., Lansing, MI

June 03, 2021

PRESS RELEASE

Lansing, MI - Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) is holding a weekly hiring fair every Thursday from 12:00PM to 4:00PM in the main lobby, located at 812 E. Jolly Rd, Lansing, MI 48910. CMHA-CEI is looking to hire for multiple Residential Technician positions, and the weekly hiring fairs will be ongoing until all positions are filled.

A current Residential Technician at CMHA-CEI thought that working as a Residential Technician would be a typical summer job, but instead turned into a rewarding lifelong experience. “As a Residential Technician, we grow and enrich lives through diverse opportunities of connection. Through this type of work, we encounter opportunities that help shape our look on life for the better. It is a great feeling knowing that you are going to wake up every morning and have an opportunity to positively impact someone’s life. I feel as though my life has been positively impacted by the relationships that I have built over the years, and that I continue to help others with living their best life every day.”

The ideal candidate will have an interest for supporting individuals in self-identified goals developed to maximize an individual’s full potential and will provide support to that individual in a residential setting. Various job duties include assisting in the provision of care, training, and supervision to the extent determined by each individual's treatment plan. The candidate must be willing to be flexible, and to be motivated to collaborate and build relationships in the community. The candidate will also be responsible for carrying out all activities of the program/sub-unit in such a manner that fulfills CMHA’s mission, policies and procedures.

The Residential Technician positions have a flexible schedule, 0—19 hours per week. These positions are great for students or those looking for supplemental jobs. Positions have the ability to grow into part-time and full-time opportunities that include increase of salary and benefits.

To apply for a Residential Technician position, all candidates must have a valid driver’s license, a GED or high school diploma, and must be able to pass a background check.

For more information about the Residential Technician weekly hiring fairs, please visit Eventbrite by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3wShLFj

For more information about current job postings, please visit www.ceicmh.org

About Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI):
The Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) provides, directly and through partnerships, a comprehensive set of person-centered, high quality, and effective behavioral health, substance abuse, and developmental disability services to the residents of this community.

CMHA-CEI Partners with WILX to Promote Services

February 22, 2022

Don’t be surprised to see us on your television!  We are excited to share these short clips produced by WILX to help promote CMHA-CEI services in the tri-county area.  Please watch and share.

CMHA-CEI Signs and Symptoms of Behavioral Health Problems

CMHA-CEI Three Steps to Getting Behavioral Health Help

Lansing Couple Share Story of Hope and Recovery from Mental Illness

August 20, 2020

PRESS RELEASE

LANSING – Lansing resident Jerri Nicole Wright shared her story with StoryCorps earlier this year with her husband, Thomas Wright. Their story was recorded at The Fledge in Lansing as a part of a Michigan History Museum project. The couple discusses many experiences throughout their lives, including their experiences with mental illnesses. “We’d like the theme of the [story] to be how our love has helped us recover from a mental illness,” says Thomas.

They begin their story by sharing how they met and began their relationship around 30 years ago in the Greater Lansing area. They also share about their early experiences in recovery from a substance use disorder and the challenges that came with that time in their lives, including facing stigma and judgement from others.

“…it’s hard enough to be recovering from a mental illness, but to be recovering from alcoholism at the same time, it was some difficult times for you and I,” says Tom. Jerri Nicole replies, “I agree, it was very, very difficult. There’s just a lot of stigma around mental illness, there’s stigma around alcoholism.”

Though they are currently retired, the couple also discuss their former careers. Thomas worked at Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) for 31 years as a job coach who worked with adults with developmental disabilities, and Jerri Nicole spent 15 years working in Brody Dining Hall at Michigan State University. In addition to her work at MSU, Jerri Nicole has been an advocate for individuals with mental illnesses for the past 10 years, and currently serves on the Recipient Rights Committee at CMHA-CEI.

Jerri Nicole states, “It’s our job, as [individuals] recovering from mental illnesses, to reach out to others to let them know that there is hope, there is possibility, there is a chance of recovery.”

To listen to the story in full, visit: https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/jerri-nicole-wright-and-thomas-wright/.

CMHA-CEI Announces Distinguished Service Award Recipient, Releases New Video and 2019 Annual Report to Community

August 6, 2020

PRESS RELEASE

LANSING – Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) is pleased to announce the release of their 2019 annual report and a new video, as well as honor the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Service Award – McLaren Greater Lansing of Michigan.

"McLaren is proud to be able to work hand-in-hand with Community Mental Health to provide efficient access to mental health care," said Deborah Leblanc, McLaren Greater Lansing Chief Nursing Officer. "Since 2017 our relationship has linked countless people to services that help them live happier, healthier lives through finding care.”

This release was originally planned for CMHA-CEI’s annual Community Breakfast event, which was cancelled for this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. CMHA-CEI extends their thanks to the exhibitors and sponsors of this year’s Community Breakfast, adding that they look forward to their continued partnership at next year’s event.

Additionally slated for release at the Community Breakfast event was a new video highlighting Adult Mental Health Services at CMHA-CEI, as well as CMHA-CEI’s 2019 annual report.

The annual report captures the successes and challenges of the agency over the course of 2019. The full report is available for members of the community to view or download here; and the AMHS Program Overview video can be viewed at http://ceicmh.org/services/amhs.

The 2021 Community Breakfast event is scheduled for March 25, 2021 from 8:00 AM-11:30 AM. Those planning to attend can register here.  

CMHA-CEI Continues to Provide Behavioral Health Services During COVID-19

July 27, 2020

PRESS RELEASE

LANSING – The Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) continues to serve and address the behavioral health needs of our community. In alignment with evolving state and county orders, adjustments are continually made to CMHA-CEI operations to facilitate more in-person visits for recipients who would most benefit from face-to-face service delivery, while continuing to provide telehealth services. Those in need of services should contact CMHA-CEI at 517-346-8318 to inquire about eligibility.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and Stay at Home order, CMHA-CEI has offered telehealth services as well as life-preserving in-person services, including 24/7 Crisis Services and Withdrawal Management Services.

At the end of May, CMHA-CEI’s Chief Executive Officer Sara Lurie released a COVID-19 Phased-In Recovery Plan, outlining a gradual approach to returning to full operations while maintaining a continued focus on protecting recipients and staff. “I have every confidence that we will be successful in gradually and safely increasing our in-person care to those individuals and families who are not currently well served by telehealth only options,” says Lurie.

The CMHA-CEI COVID-19 Phased-In Recovery Plan corresponds to the MI Safe Start Plan phases 3-5. The timelines for moving into each phase are flexible in response to federal or state mandates, as well as other health and safety best practices. Currently, CMHA-CEI is in phase two of their four-phase plan. COVID-19 prevention protocols, including staff, recipient, and visitor screenings, face coverings, staff training, and physical distancing (also known as social distancing) are being utilized in buildings to ensure that all precautions and mandates are followed.

CMHA-CEI remains dedicated to continuing to connect community members to essential behavioral health services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, and continues to operate by the message shared in the agency tagline, ”Together We Can.” Latest updates about services and resources can be found at www.ceicmh.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ceicmh.