Supporting Specialized Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program and Mental Health Services
Munson Healthcare has announced a $5,000 gift to the Northern Michigan Children’s Assessment Center (NMCAC) to support its specialized Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program and the mental health services offered to children and families affected by abuse and neglect. The investment aligns with Munson’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) priorities, particularly the region’s urgent need for improved mental health support.
“Supporting organizations like the Northern Michigan Children’s Assessment Center is essential to strengthening our region’s response to trauma,” said Michael Hodnett, Chief Nursing Officer, East Region. “Their work directly supports our community’s mental health and care access priorities, ensuring children and families receive compassionate, specialized care when they need it most.”
NMCAC operates Northern Michigan’s only non-hospital based SANE program, providing a higher level of trauma-informed medical care through nurses with advanced training and experience in both adult and pediatric cases. These specialized nurses also serve as expert witnesses in court and collaborate closely with law enforcement across county lines — ensuring survivors receive coordinated support while easing the demands on local hospital emergency departments.
In April, NMCAC opened a new medical suite with a private room and shower, further strengthening the care experience by creating a more comfortable, dignified environment for healing. This specialized setting allows survivors to receive care designed specifically for those who have experienced significant trauma, instead of in a fast paced emergency department focused primarily on acute medical stabilization.
“We see firsthand how critical these services are to families in Northern Michigan,” said Rebecca Yuncker, Executive Director of the Northern Michigan Children’s Assessment Center. “This gift from Munson Healthcare helps ensure that children who have experienced unimaginable trauma receive specialized medical care, as well as the long-term mental health support they need to heal.”
The need for these services continues to grow, even as funding decreases. NMCAC provides free wraparound services—including counseling for both children and caregivers — which require extended sessions and smaller caseloads to ensure individualized, trauma-responsive support. Despite rising demand, the center is experiencing a reduction in federal funding and anticipates additional cuts in the coming years, making community and health system partnerships increasingly vital as the organization works to raise a significant portion of its annual operating budget independently.
“Munson Healthcare is committed to advancing mental health and ensuring timely access to care across Northern Michigan,” said Hodnett. “We are proud to support the Northern Michigan Children’s Assessment Center and the vital work they do every single day.”