The Michigan Health and Hospital Association (MHA) has awarded a $5 million grant to Munson Healthcare toward adding much needed pediatric mental health and crisis services in northern Michigan.
The competitive grant funding was part of the Michigan Legislature’s $50 million appropriation in 2023 to improve behavioral health services for pediatric patients in the state. The MHA sent out a request for proposals earlier this year and received a total of 10 grant applications from six different regions of the state.
“This funding will play an important role in bringing pediatric mental health and crisis services to the children and youths in our community,” said Laura Glenn, Munson Healthcare Chief Operating Officer. “We’re grateful to the MHA for recognizing the great need for pediatric behavioral health services in our region.”
The funding is in addition to $5 million in American Rescue Act Funding awarded in June toward establishment of the Grand Traverse Center for Mental Wellness to be located on the Munson Medical Center campus. The additional $5 million from the MHA will be used exclusively to provide pediatric programming at the center.
Over the past three years, there has been 25 percent increase in the number of children and youths admitted to Munson Healthcare Emergency Departments. Glenn said this funding will help toward goals to create greater access to pediatric mental health and crisis services over the next four years.
Since last fall, representatives from Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority, Munson Healthcare, Northern Michigan Regional Entity, Northwest Michigan Community Health Innovation Region (CHIR), Grand Traverse County and United Way of Northwest Michigan have been at work on the next phase of a plan to bring mental health, substance abuse disorder and crisis services to one location in Traverse City.
“Our community has created tremendous momentum over the last year toward bringing much needed behavioral health resources to northern Michigan,” Glenn said. “This is another important step forward in driving change and improving access to mental health services for families and young people across the region.”