Board Approves New Advisory Council on Reparations

February 16, 2023

Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners Approve New Advisory Council on Reparations

Ann Arbor, MI- At their February 15^th meeting, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners approved the establishment of an Advisory Council on Re...

February 1, 2023 Board of Commissioners' Meeting Cancelled

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION

COUNTY OF WASHTENAW WASHTENAW COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

PUBLIC NOTICE OF CANCELLATION:

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2023, WORKING SESSION AND BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETINGS

PURSUANT...

Board of Commissioners Approve Quadrennial Budget

Washtenaw County, MI - The Board of Commissioners recently approved the 2023-2026 Quadrennial County Budget. Across the four years, the recommended annual budgets range from $362 Million to $369 Million and are all balanced to ensure fiscal respo...

Funding Moves Forward for Eastern County Recreation and Community Center

MEDIA RELEASE

November 21,  2022

For Immediate Release

Contact: Crystal S. Campbell || Public Information Officer 

[email protected] || (734) 478-1856

FUNDING MOVES FORWARD FOR EASTERN COUNTY RECREATION ANDCOMMUNITY CENTER

Washt...

Meeting Notice: Washtenaw County Officials to Provide Update on Broadband Investment

Washtenaw County, MI – Washtenaw County officials will be hosting a Broadband Townhall at Sylvan Township Hall on September 26, 2022, from 6:30 to 8pm.  

In September 2021, the Board of Commissioners approved a historic investme...

Washtenaw County Board Invests in Affordable Home Ownership Development

Board Hosts Drop-In Public Input Sessions for ARPA Investments

Join county officials to learn more and give input on proposals for the next round of American Rescue Plan Act investments. Only have 15 minutes? That's okay! These drop-in sessions are set up so you can stop by quickly or stay longer if you want...

Sustainable, Mixed-Income Platt Road Development Moves Forward

housing developments 

Washtenaw County, MI – At the most recent Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Andy LaBarre offered a liaison report about the exciting recent news surrounding the Veridian at County Farm housing development...

Board of Commissioners Set to Consider $1.6 Million Investment in Community Violence Interventions

Washtenaw County, MI – Tomorrow night, the Board of Commissioners is set to deliberate and vote on recommendations to invest $1.6 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to fund three community violence prevention programs as part of th...

First Household Connected as part of Board’s Historic Broadband Infrastructure Investment

Washtenaw County, MI – In September 2021, the Board of Commissioners approved a historic investment for Washtenaw County to become one of the first counties in the state to create a path for every household to access highspeed broadband...

Washtenaw County Invests $3.5 Million in Human Services

At Wednesday evening’s meeting, the Board of Commissioners cemented Washtenaw County’s commitment to increasing and extending funding for human services i...

Board of Commissioners Approve Additional Support for Direct Assistance Program

Last week, the Board of Commissioners approved two resolutions that support the expansion of important direct assistance initiatives administered by the Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED): the Barrier Busters Network and the Weatherizatio...

Commissioners Adopt Community Violence Interruption Policy Framework; Invite Cities and Townships to

Washtenaw County, MI – In response to a series of tragic gun violence incidents that resulted in the shooting deaths of young men in Washtenaw County in the Summer of 2021, a diverse group of people, including community members...

Commissioner Justin Hodge Appointed Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity

Washtenaw County, MI – This week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Commissioner Justin Hodge as Chairperson of the Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity. Commissioner Hodge has served as a member of the commission since 2021....

Commissioner Sue Shink Appointed Vice Chairperson of Transportation Coordinating Council

SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, announces that Sue Shink, Commissioner of District 2 and Board Chairperson in Washtenaw County, has been named Vice Chairperson of SEMCOG’s Transportation Coordinating Council (TCC).

"I ...

Board of Commissioners Passes $11 Million Package to Invest in Community Health and Wellbeing

Washtenaw County, MI – Last night, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a series of investments using funds from the county’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation. This is the second package of investm...

Washtenaw County to Begin Comprehensive Climate Action Planning Process

Washtenaw County, MI – Last week, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to allocate funds to climate action planning efforts. The resolution approves a contract with Resource Recycling Systems to assist in the development ...

Board of Commissioners Address Broadband Needs Countywide with $15.5 million investment

Washtenaw County, MI – At their meeting last week, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved up to $15,472,270 to address broadband needs countywide. The COVID-19 pandemic made the importance of having access to high-speed...

Board of Commissioners Commit $2 Million to Equitably Address Childcare Access in Washtenaw County

Washtenaw County, MI – The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners have committed $2 million to equitably address childcare access needs in Washtenaw County. This commitment is part of the first round of the Washtenaw County Rescue Plan allocati...

Commissioners Approve $30.5 Million Dollar Package Through the Ways and Means Committee

Washtenaw County, MI – Last night, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a historic resolution obligating up to $30.5 million dollars for community investments through the Ways and Means Committee. This proposed package ...

Commissioners Host Panel on Stonewall Documentary and LGBTQ+ Services in Washtenaw County

On June 28th, Commissioners Katie Scott and Jason Morgan hosted a documentary screening and panel discussion on Facebook Live as part of the Board of Commissioners' recognition of the anniversary of the Stonewall riots. The panel discussion inclu...

Washtenaw County ID Card Now More Accessible - Application Fee Reduced

Washtenaw County ID Card Program Now More Accessible to Residents

Application Fee Reduced from $25 to $10

Ann Arbor, Michigan - The Washtenaw County ID Card program is now more accessible to county residents in need of obtaining identifica...

Clerk/Register of Deeds Online and By-Mail Services

The public is encouraged to access services provided by the Washtenaw County Clerk/Register's office online and by mail for both convenience and safety.

Order Certified Copies of Vital Records 

• Birth, Death & Marriage records are avail...

Washtenaw County to host first annual Small Business Fair on March 15th, 2023

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI., March 2^nd, 2023 – The Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development is hosting their first annual Small Business Fair. Designed to connect entrepreneurs with the resources to help their business, the Small B...

Washtenaw County to Launch Small Business Growth Activator in January 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:     Cheranissa Roach

Office of Community and Economic Development

[email protected]

(734) 210-7699           Website URL https://www.wa...

Washtenaw County OCED Served Thousands of Residents, Distributed Millions of Dollars in Household Su

As the pandemic continued through 2021, the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) continued to address the needs of the community and ensure residents had access to emergency food and shelter, financial support for rental an...

FY2023 Community Action Plan Community Services Block Grant

The Community Action Plan (CAP) serves as a roadmap demonstrating how Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) eligible entities plan to deliver CSBG services. The CAP identifies and assesses poverty related needs and resources in the community and establish...

Listening Session on Housing Access for Washtenaw County (HAWC)

Housing Access for Washtenaw County (HAWC) is the main way residents can get in touch with housing & homelessness services. HAWC administers intakes and assessments and refers people for services as appropriate and available. We want to hear about you...

Community Dialogues on Funding Opportunity to Address Unsheltered Homelessness

The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) released a new funding opportunity to address unsheltered homelessness. 

These meetings will cover:

• Overview of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
• Data presentation to understand com...

Beat the heat this summer at these Washtenaw County cooling sites!

Foster Grandparent Program Recruiting Volunteers, Ages 55+

Washtenaw County’s Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) is currently recruiting income-eligible individuals, ages 55 years or older, for a rewarding opportunity to provide educational support and mentorship to youth in local schools, daycare setting...

CANCELED: April 20th Public Hearing on Washtenaw Urban County Draft 2022 Annual Action Plan

-...

Request for Community Reviewers - New Human Services Partnership

Washtenaw County, the City of Ann Arbor and the Washtenaw Urban County have worked diligently to develop the New Human Services Partnership, replacing Coordinated Funding of Human Services.  The renewed focus of the Partnership is to incorporate ...

Barrier Busters: 20 Years of Service to Community in 2021 - Provided $530K in Emergent Needs

As the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic continued through 2021, the Barrier Busters Network responded to individual crisis by providing emergency assistance to residents across Washtenaw County. A comprehensive summary of the group’s co...

Public Hearings on Washtenaw Urban County Draft 2022 Program Year Annual Action Plan

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS & COMMENT PERIOD

Public Hearings on Washtenaw Urban County Draft 2022 Program Year Annual Action Plan

Pursuant to U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development regulations, notice is hereby given by the Washtenaw...

SUMMERWORKS YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM BUILDS LIFE-LONG NETWORKS & CAREERS

Washtenaw County, MI., February 2022 - The ten-week summer employment and mentorship program, SummerWorks, has paired more than 85 local businesses with more than 380 young adult interns in our community (ages 16-24) since its inception in 2016. ...

Barrier Busters Network Continues to Assist with Emergent Needs, 3rd Quarter Report Available Now

The Barrier Busters 3rd Quarter Report provides information about the type of funding requests distributed to Washtenaw County residents from July 1 - September 30, 2021. Highlights include: 

• 45.3% of total requests in the third quarter assisted u...

New Human Services Partnership to Replace Coordinated Funding

Washtenaw County and the City of Ann Arbor are working together in coordination with other local funding agencies to develop a New Human Services Partnership to replace Washtenaw Coordinated Funding.

The New partnership will focus investments in efforts to...

UPDATED: Flood Resources Available for Washtenaw County Residents

UPDATE: The deadline for survivors for the June 25-26 severe storms and flooding to register with FEMA for individual disaster assistance has been extended to Wednesday, October 13, 2021. 

The extension applies to survivors living in Wayne and Was...

Barrier Busters Unmet Needs Fund Continues to Support Residents Impacted by the Pandemic

A summary report from the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) shows financial assistance requests made during the first quarter of 2021 (January through March 2021) to the Barrier Buster Unmet Needs Fund continued...

Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Releases Bi-Annual Report

Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (WCBRA) recently released the program’s bi-annual report. The report includes information about activities, grant programs, and financial data from 2019 and 2020. 

Highlights from the r...

Public Hearing & Comment Period for Washtenaw County Urban HOME-ARP Funding

Update:

Due to a County closure for inclement weather, the HOME-ARP Allocation Virtual Public Hearing has been rescheduled to March 9, 2023. Details are as follows:

Housing & Human Services Advisory Board Meeting (virtual)

Thursday, March 9th, 2023 at 6:...

CANCELED: April 20th Public Hearing on Washtenaw Urban County Draft 2022 Annual Action Plan

------

NOTI...

Public Comment Period & Public Hearings | Urban County Draft 2021-22 Action Plan

Pursuant to U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development regulations, notice is hereby given by the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) that three public hearings will be held to solicit citizen input on the Draft Wa...

Affordable Housing

Our office partners with a number of community partners to improve, protect, and expand our county's affordable housing stock.

Learn more about this work by checking out https://www.washtenaw.org/722/Affordable-Housing 

Historic Preservation

The Washtenaw County Historic Preservation Program is dedicated to supporting local historic districts, spurring heritage tourism, and attracting investment in our historic resources.

Learn more about this work by checking out https://www.washtena...

$2.3 million awarded to fill gaps in youth mental health care

Washtenaw County’s Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage Advisory Committee has awarded $2.3 million over three years to the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) to fill gaps in youth mental health programming. The grant ...

Presenting NAMI Washtenaw County’s local resource guide, Taking Care.

“Your Mind Matters” are the first words you see when you open Washtenaw County’s chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness’s new mental health resource booklet, Taking Care. 

Even though mental illnesses are very common—one in five Americ...

A Q&A with Willie Sturdivant, Jr., LEADD Case Manager with Washtenaw County Community Mental Health

We recently spoke with Willie Sturdivant, Jr., a case manager at Washtenaw County Community Mental Health (WCCMH) who works with the county’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion and Deflection (LEADD) program.

Q. How did you come...

Washtenaw County's crisis response team offers in person support

We sat down with Emily Scheitz from the Washtenaw County Community Mental Health crisis response team to learn about the unique way it serves the county, and the team’s plans for the future.

The crisis team provides 24/7 crisis mental health care...

The millage shares its 2021 annual impact report

We are delighted to share the latest Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage annual report. The impact of the millage–on Washtenaw County Community Mental Health services and on the services provided by essential community partners–h...

Washtenaw County aims for systems-level criminal justice reform with a new pilot program

By Gregory Powers

While the U.S. incarceration rate recently fell to its lowest level since 1995, the nation still incarcerates a larger proportion of its population than any other country in the world. Right now, there are an es...

CLR Academy–a sports-focused, leadership program for K-8 youth–expands with millage funding

By Gregory Powers

In Washtenaw County, there’s a free summer program for K-8 youth who reside in neighborhoods with common barriers to healthy living—a lack of transportation or healthy foods, or a history of gun violence. And,...

Thanks to millage funding, new positions at WCCMH and partner agencies help meet community needs

By Kimberly Snodgrass

From reentry support staff to peer support specialists, Washtenaw County’s Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation millage has funded community-based positions since 2019. These highly specialized posit...

The national 988 Lifeline for mental health launched. What does that mean for Washtenaw?

By Gregory Powers

Launched in July 2022, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a national behavioral health initiative, backed by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The 24/7 line is desi...

Washtenaw County explores the prospect of a youth assessment center

By Kimberly Snodgrass

Almost three decades ago, Hillsborough County–home to Tampa, FL–was in the middle of a juvenile justice crisis. 

The county’s youth detention centers were overcrowded. Its youth recidivis...

With greater resources from millage, WCCMH becomes access point for substance use referrals

By Gregory Powers

In Washtenaw County, there’s a phone number for individuals seeking substance use support—a 24/7 hotline that gives people access to an immediate screening, referral to a community provider, or guidance on how to get c...

Millage funding helps NAMI build relationships and trust in Washtenaw County communities

Story by Cleoniki Kesidis

“Outreach is not easy work,” says Judy Gardner, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Washtenaw County (NAMI). “It’s relationships build...

Mental Health First Aid trainers are teaching our community how to respond to those in need

Story by Seaira Wainaina and Gregory Powers

Each year in the United States, one in five adults and one in six youth experience mental illness. And in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic—with social isolation, job...

A tsunami of need: the millage provides social workers to support youth in schools

Story by Cleoniki Kesidis

As pandemic conditions change, the need for mental health services in schools continues to rise.

“It’s like a tsunami,” says Stacey Doyle, a Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) socia...

Reentry redux: How millage funds help residents of the jail navigate community reentry

By Erin Spanier

Returning to the community after a jail stay. 

It sounds simple enough on the face of it, but even in resource-rich communities like ours, more than half of Michiganders will return to jail within three years of release. An...

Success from planning: how community conversations, collaboration shaped the millage’s initial years

By Elisabeth Paymal

If indeed “planning is everything,” then what makes planning successful? As we reflect on the impact of the first three years of the Washtenaw County's Public Safety and Mental Hea...

Millage funds help Ozone House youth with housing and supportive services

For over 50 years, Ozone House has played a pivotal role in Washtenaw County—assisting runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth and their families.

While stable housing is a primary focus, the organization has expanded its&nbs...

Introducing LEADD: A new millage-supported program to divert from jail to mental health services

Imagine this situation: Someone is intoxicated, possibly struggling with a larger problem like addiction or poverty, and refusing to leave a business. The business owner calls the police. What should the police do?

“Traditionally, the police had ...

Millage partners with 5 Healthy Towns to tackle mental health needs of western Washtenaw County

When it comes to health and wellness programs and services, Washtenaw County is typically viewed as a “resource rich” community—home to two major health systems and a robust collection of social service organizations.

Many of ...

Millage funds an expansion of the mobile crisis team to partner with the Chelsea Police Department

When the mental health and public safety millage began funding services in Washtenaw County, a key goal was increasing access for rural residents.

While the eastern part of Washtenaw County is urban, the western part is mainly agricultural and rural. Chels...

With millage support, Student Advocacy Center helps local youth navigate their education

Students with mental and behavioral health needs often struggle in school, as early as elementary school. They may feel misunderstood, confused, or uncomfortable. And sometimes, it causes them to act out—which can disrupt their education and set...

Washtenaw's mental health millage attracts press, serving as a model for others communities

Throughout 2021, the Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage was featured in a number of local publications—and even nationally in Politico. Media mentions like these have a ripple effect, making it possible for the millage to serve...

Corner Health Center is serving the psychiatry needs of Washtenaw County youth with millage funding

One-stop care. What is it? A place that meets your needs holistically—from physical health to mental health, from wellness to treatment, from education to support.

For some, it might sound like a lofty ideal. However, at a colorful store...

Millage funding and partnerships are reforming how Washtenaw County responds to public safety

Beginning in 2019, the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and Washtenaw County Community Mental Health (WCCMH)—with funding from the Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage—came together to adopt a...

Millage mini-grants are normalizing conversations about mental health in Washtenaw County schools

As the 2020 school year wrapped up, students at Clague Middle School on Ann Arbor’s northeast side were checking out books from a new mental health library—made possible by mini-grant funding from the Washten...

New cross-sector partnerships—aided by millage funding—are supporting justice-involved youth

After the Washtenaw County Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage passed, a partnership began between Washtenaw County Community Mental Health (WCCMH) and Washtenaw County Children’s Ser...

Fostering hope, peer support specialists are helping people on their journey to recovery

There aren’t too many job applications where checking the box for a criminal history or a mental illness or a history of addiction would give you an edge. But for peer-support specialists, it’s a decided advantage. 

Va...

Not just a bed. Millage funds shelters, staff to help residents get and stay healthy

For Avalon Housing, the millage has funded support services at Hickory Way, a residential community that offers easy access to transportation and amenities for those who have experienced chronic homelessness.

Each apartment at Hickory Way is meant...

Breaking the stigma: How the mental health millage is empowering youth to reach out

"I wish parents knew that mental health is real,” says one #wishyouknew social media post beside a portrait of a local teen. Another says, "Don't talk at me or down to me, talk with me.”

The Wish You Knew campaign, funded by Washtenaw County’s Pu...

County hospital visits decrease as millage-funded programs ramp up

Recently, Dr. Victor Hong, medical director of psychiatric emergency services (PES) at Michigan Medicine, contacted the millage-funded CARES team at Washtenaw County Community Mental Health. He had been notified that an individual in the community showed ...

Millage fuels partnerships with community-based organizations, schools, and police

Since the implementation of Washtenaw County’s voter-approved Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage in January of 2019, meaningful partnerships have flourished across the county. These partnerships expand access to mental health a...

Millage-funded CARES team: serving all residents, regardless of insurance status

Mental health care access for everybody–no matter what their insurance status is.

This was an ambitious goal of Washtenaw County’s Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage, which residents passed two-to-one, ensuring that everyone in o...

Independent, reliable cash: Millage allows Washtenaw County to address local needs

When JFK signed the Community Mental Health Act in 1963, community-based mental health and substance use treatment options began to spring up across the U.S. These new programs allowed people with significant mental illnesses and developmental disabilitie...

The expected--and the unexpected--impact of a room and phone

Across the U.S. nearly 1.4 million people rely on homeless shelters and transitional housing programs each year. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, health and social service agencies across the nation--some well, and others poorly--employed...

Garret's Space delivers 20,000 mental health flyers to homes across the county

As suicide rates continue to rise throughout the nation, especially among young people, one local Washtenaw County family is working to help those in need access services.

Suicide rates increased 33 percent nationally from 1999 to 2017, with the sharpest i...

First year of reentry services grant focuses on new staff, housing supports

In 2019, Washtenaw County received a $1 million, four-year grant from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Administration. The purpose: To address high recidivism rates--the rates of individuals returning to jail after release--among those with mental health and su...

County jail expands use of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder

Nationally, about 80 percent of people in jail abuse alcohol or drugs. About half are considered clinically addicted. Oftentimes, substance use plays a direct or indirect role in a person’s jail time–which is why access to treatment is...

WCCMH Black Lives Matter Task Force

On May 25th, 2020, George Floyd’s death at the hands of police led hundreds of thousands of people throughout the nation to join the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. While the BLM movement is broad, it essentially seeks to eradicate systemic racism thro...

A Q&A with CARES Team Access Supervisor Shannon Ellis

The CARES team is a group of mental health professionals funded by Washtenaw County's voter-approved Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage on May 1, 2019 when services were expanded to all residents, regardless of insurance status or severi...

WCCMH launches 24/7 crisis center with millage resources

Washtenaw County residents have long asked for a 24/7 crisis center—a place where individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis can go for help and emotional support. Thanks to the Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage, this vision ha...

Millage funded “prayer and care” summit: Mental health resources for faith communities

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Washtenaw County (NAMI WC) has organized a virtual summit for members of the clergy to learn about mental health resources for faith communities. The Prayer and Care summit will be held on Octob...

Washtenaw ahead of the curve in national movement for police reform

George Floyd’s death this spring, at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers, sparked massive protests across the nation for meaningful police reforms to address police brutality toward Black individuals—which has been well-documented in recent year...

Millage funds Mental Health First Aid train the trainer initiative

This summer, Washtenaw County Community Mental Health put out a call for volunteers. The purpose? To become certified as Mental Health First Aid instructors, who will then share what they’ve learned with others in the community...

COVID-era telehealth expansion brings both improvements and challenges

The coronavirus pandemic has created hundreds of complicated challenges--from an increased strain on the U.S. Postal System to delays in needed health care services. But the coronavirus pandemic has also spurred solutions, including a dramatic uptick in t...

In Washtenaw County, millage helps mitigate the impact of COVID-19

From economic strains to a now six-month period of isolation, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to upend daily life. In Washtenaw County, “the unsurprising result,” as Jaishree Drepaul-Bruder reports for Concentrate, is “an upt...

New website features millage background, data, and accomplishments

Washtenaw County Community Mental Health is pleased to share a new website for information about the county’s eight-year Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage, which will be in effect through 2026.

The millage site feature...

Community Mental Health releases 2019 annual report

Washtenaw County's Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage is an eight-year, voter-approved homeowner tax that generates resources for mental health and substance use treatment programs that improve health and quality of life across the count...

For Washtenaw County residents, mental health services are just a phone call away

Thanks to the Washtenaw County Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage, all Washtenaw County residents can get help 24/7 for depression, anxiety, addiction, and more. And receiving aid is as easy as calling 734-544-3050.

As Erin Spanier report...

Mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic

Washtenaw County Community Mental Health is continuing to provide essential services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Our 24/7 CARES line, expanded with funding from the Washtenaw County Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage in 20...

WCCMH staff join Washtenaw's Crisis Negotiation Team

Last November, five mental health professionals from Washtenaw County’s Community Mental Health were tapped by the Sheriff’s Office to join Washtenaw County’s Crisis Negotiation Team. 

During the first week of Decembe...

Millage Q&A with Community Corrections Manager Renee Wilson

The Washtenaw County Community Corrections Department, part of the sheriff’s office, provides jail diversion options and assistance for people at all stages of the criminal justice process--from initial detention and court hearings to time spent...

Washtenaw County prepares to launch LEAD

This January, Washtenaw County and the City of Detroit were among 15 jurisdictions hand picked from regions across the country to participate in the inaugural LEAD National Learning Conference hosted by the U.S. Public Defender Association and the LEAD Na...

$1 million grant to reduce recidivism, improve community reentry for individuals with MHSUD

Washtenaw County has received a $1 million, four-year grant from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Administration to address high recidivism rates among individuals with mental health and substance use disorders to build on collaborative work between the Washten...

More SURE Moms, thanks to Washtenaw County voters

With a $90,000 investment from Washtenaw County’s Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage, the SURE Moms program—designed to unite, support, and empower mothers of justice-involved youth—is being extended to more...

New partnership with Corner Health provides behavioral health care for teens and young adults

Founded 39 years ago by a group of concerned citizens who wanted to address health disparities among teenage moms, the Corner Health Center in downtown Ypsilanti has grown into a tremendous local resource: a full-service integrated health clinic that addr...

Four local agencies receive millage-funded supportive housing contracts

Four local agencies have been awarded millage contracts to enhance supportive housing for youth and adults with mental health and substance use concerns. 

“One of the key recommendations made by Washtenaw County’s Community Men...

Coming soon: Washtenaw County crisis observation and assessment center

In an unassuming brick building just down the street from the Washtenaw County Health Department in Ypsilanti a new community resource is in the final stages of development. It’s an observation and assessment center for individuals in crisis--on...

Millage Q&A with Washtenaw County Commissioner Andy LaBarre

In 2017, Washtenaw County Commissioner Andy LaBarre was instrumental in the development and passage of the county’s Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage, which currently provides about $16 million per year. Thirty-eight percent o...

WISD receives funds for youth mental health programming

A two-year Public Safety and Mental Health Millage grant of $107,000 has been awarded to the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) for mental health and anti-stigma activities. In year one, WISD will use roughly half of these resources to provide ...

#wishyouknew mental health campaign launches across the county

The #wishyouknew youth mental health campaign officially kicked off on Monday, November 25, with artwork by local artist Lauren Mills, quotes from outreach with hundreds of Washtenaw County youth and adults, and a short video featuring Alisha Spencer, a l...

Washtenaw and Detroit to participate in national LEAD training institute

Washtenaw County and Detroit are the first Michigan jurisdictions to be chosen to participate in the national Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) training institute in Seattle, WA.

Five Washtenaw County diversion leaders--from the Washtenaw County Sh...

Washtenaw County organizations invited to apply for millage-funded supportive housing grants

This spring, Washtenaw County Community Mental Health asked the Washtenaw Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) to develop a request for proposals process designed to increase supportive housing services across Washtenaw County. We are pleas...

NAMI Washtenaw receives millage contract for outreach in underserved communities

A Public Safety and Mental Health Millage Contract of $158,000 has been awarded to NAMI Washtenaw County (NAMI WC) to design and implement a mental health education and outreach program for youth and families in the under-served communities of Ypsilanti, ...

High schools invited to apply for anti-stigma campaign grants

This August, the Millage Advisory Committee approved a funding application from the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) to support anti-stigma campaign activities at all interested Washtenaw County high schools.

The campaigns will focus on positi...

Help design an anti-stigma campaign for Washtenaw youth

In our last millage communication, WCCMH introduced readers to planned anti-stigma campaign efforts that are being led, through a millage-funded contract, by the Washtenaw County Health Department. The first two years of this anti-stigma work will focus o...

Millage-funded therapeutic groups forming

Thanks to millage funding, our CARES team staff members are offering four new group therapy options for Washtenaw County residents. These groups are for everyone in the community--regardless of insurance or severity of need. Additional groups will be adde...

Millage funds rural service delivery expansion

As of July 1, the CARES team had received 250 outpatient service referrals from Ypsilanti (115), Ann Arbor (88), Saline (11), Dexter (6), Whitmore Lake (5), Chelsea (3), and Milan (3).

While most of the referrals are currently coming from the county&rs...

Underfunding and deficit reduction

Due to underfunding by the state and federal government of Michigan’s community mental health system—behavioral health services for low-income individuals and those with severe and persistent mental illnesses, emotional disturbances, a...

Substance use disorder systems transformation kicks off 100-day challenge

Since November 2018, dozens of representatives from Washtenaw-area organizations--including one-dozen staff members from Washtenaw County Community Mental Health--have been participating in a substance use disorder system transformation process hosted by ...

Introducing the millage advisory committee

In the spring of 2019, Washtenaw County Community Mental Health established a Millage Advisory Committee (MAC) to provide strategic oversight on Washtenaw County’s Public Safety and Mental Health Millage activities and investments. The 13-member...

Millage-funded staff work to meet countywide demand

A countywide mental health and substance use disorder service expansion--particularly for historically underserved populations across Washtenaw--has been a key priority for millage investments from the start.

As such, when millage funds first became availa...

Millage will allow WCCMH to train trainers in mental health first aid

While many of us know how to administer first aid for health conditions, few of us are trained to provide similar help for those experiencing a mental health or substance use related crisis. To build community capacity, WCCMH regularly offers Mental Healt...

Provide input on a millage-funded countywide anti-stigma campaign

Washtenaw County Community Mental Health is working with the Washtenaw County Health Department to develop and launch a county-wide campaign to reduce stigma around mental health and addiction. 

Health department staff will begin their work with a...

Transforming Washtenaw's substance use disorder system

About a dozen Washtenaw County Community Mental Health staff members have been actively participating in a series of local meetings, sponsored by the Washtenaw Health Initiative, that are designed to develop a collaborative action plan to address substanc...

Planning juvenile justice diversion activities

Research from the National Center for Youth Opportunity and Justice (NCYOJ) shows that behavioral health and trauma conditions are consistently higher among youth in the juvenile justice system when compared with the general adolescent population.

Washtena...

Announcing millage-funded countywide service expansion

On May 1, Washtenaw County Community Mental Health (WCCMH) will extend services and service-navigation assistance to all county residents who are unable to secure community-based mental health and substance use services, regardless of their insurance type...

Public safety accomplishments and plans for future millage investments

Washtenaw County Community Mental Health works closely with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office to improve services for residents with mental health and substance use disorders who come into contact with law enforcement and the corrections system.

Their ...

Plans for initial millage investments

At their October 3 meeting, Washtenaw County Commissioners approved 11 recommendations from the Community Mental Health Advisory Council (CMHAC) regarding early priorities for the county’s mental health millage investments.

Washtenaw County Commu...

WCCMH 2021-2022 Annual Report

More than just numbers, the report shares all the great accomplishments of the people we serve and the people committed to delivering that service.

You can read our WCCMH 2021-2022 Annual Report here.

Telehealth appointments now available. Call 734-544-3050.

The first step to getting services is always to contact Access at 734-544-3050. But once you are in, you may be eligible to have your appointments without coming into the office. 

Telehealth services are available so you can have your app...

Read our 2020 Millage Impact Report

It was a year no one could have predicted. A time filled with uncertainty and anxiety—as businesses shut down, plans were cancelled, and services halted.

But not at Washtenaw County Community Mental Health.

From the moment COVID-19 began to change our usual...

U of M Law Students Made a Video About Landlord Tenant Process

Andrew Cutillo, Megan Giles, Seyoung Oh, Adam VanDeusen worked with Judge Simpson from the 14A District Court to develop a video to help litigants navigate the Landlord Tenant court process.  We are grateful for their hard work and hope that the ...

14A District Court Pioneers Online Case Resolution

Partnering with Court Innovations/Matterhorn, an Ann Arbor based company, the 14A District Court has implemented three different online case resolution platforms with more on the horizon.  The 14A District Court piloted the first of its kind onli...

Take the Washtenaw County Community Health Survey!

Español: ¡Realice la Encuesta de Salud Comunitaria del Condado de Washtenaw!

The Washtenaw County Health Department is inviting residents to share what they think about health in our county by taking the Washtenaw County Community Health Survey. The survey...

Stay safer together!

Looking for ways to make gatherings and events safer? These steps can reduce your risk of getting and spreading respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and flu.

See this as a PDF in English here and in Spanish here. Check Washtenaw County's COVID-19 C...

Health Officer Begins Three-Year Term on Trinity Health Ann Arbor and Livingston Board of Directors

Jimena Loveluck, Washtenaw County Health Officer, has been appointed to the Trinity Health Ann Arbor and Livingston Board of Directors. Loveluck, whose nomination was formally approved by the Board in November 2022, began serving her three-year term earli...

Sign up for Health Department email updates

Did you know the Health Department sends regular email updates with the latest info on health in Washtenaw County? Join our email list today! Sign up at https://bit.ly/WCHD555. 

Emails are usually sent weekly on Friday afternoons. You can see past...

What to know about COVID-19 in Washtenaw County

Washtenaw County is currently at a "low"?COVID-19 Community Level (as of 1/26/23).  

CDC guidance at this level doesn't include broad masking recommendations. However, at all levels, people ca...

Free COVID-19 Treatment Available Through the Washtenaw County Health Department

Washtenaw County residents who don’t have health insurance or access to a health care provider are invited to join COVID Plan4Health, a new Washtenaw County Health Department program that connects people to free antiviral treatment (Paxlovid) if they test...

Get Your Updated COVID-19 Booster and Flu Shot

As the weather gets colder and more of us gather indoors with loved ones, flu and COVID-19 vaccines (including updated boosters) are critically important in protecting health. The Washtenaw County Health Department encourages everyone to get a flu shot an...

Free KN95 Masks Available at the Health Department

Individuals can walk into to the Washtenaw County Health Department to pick up free KN95 masks. Masks are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. One adult size pack per person. Walk-ups only. No registration is necessary.&n...

2021 Health Department Annual Report highlights vaccination efforts and ongoing COVID-19 response

We are pleased to share our 2021 Annual Report with our partners and community. 2021 was another challenging year dominated by COVID-19, but importantly, our pandemic response gained the new tool of a vaccine that reduced serious illnesses and deaths.

Our ...

988 and Mental Health Resources in Washtenaw County

Washtenaw County residents are encouraged to call the CARES hotline directly at 734-544-3050 with any mental health concern. 988 is a great new national resource that (in most cases) will route local callers to...

WIC Project Fresh Connects Families to Healthy, Michigan-Grown Food

As Michigan finally starts to warm up, delicious cherries, luscious blueberries, and glorious greens have started to appear at local farmers markets and farm stands. Summer provides WIC families an opportunity to experience the taste of Michigan through P...

Funding Moves Forward for Eastern County Recreation and Community Center

MEDIA RELEASE

November 21,  2022

For Immediate Release

Contact: Crystal S. Campbell || Public Information Officer 

[email protected] || (734) 478-1856

FUNDING MOVES FORWARD FOR EASTERN COUNTY RECREATION ANDCOMMUNITY CENTER

Washt...

Washtenaw County ID Card Now More Accessible - Application Fee Reduced

Washtenaw County ID Card Program Now More Accessible to Residents

Application Fee Reduced from $25 to $10

Ann Arbor, Michigan - The Washtenaw County ID Card program is now more accessible to county residents in need of obtaining identifica...

First Household Connected as part of Board’s Historic Broadband Infrastructure Investment

Washtenaw County, MI – In September 2021, the Board of Commissioners approved a historic investment for Washtenaw County to become one of the first counties in the state to create a path for every household to access highspeed broadband internet....

Washtenaw County to Begin Comprehensive Climate Action Planning Process

Washtenaw County, MI – Last week, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to allocate funds to climate action planning efforts. The resolution approves a contract with Resource Recycling Systems to assist in the development of a compr...

WCPARC March News & Into the Outdoors Spring Program Guide!

Check out our new March News and latest publication, Into the Outdoors Program Guide for Spring!

Interested in signing up for our monthly newsletter? Subscribe here!

Questions? Contact: 

Ann Ziolkowski, Communications Manager ziolk...

Michigan Folk School Becomes Part of WCPARC

WCPARC is excited to announce acquisition of the Michigan Folk School (MFS) in on January 1, 2023. Since 2017, the Commission has partnered with MFS to provide an array of classes and programs at Staebler Farm County Park. With this recent acquisition, WC...

New Multipurpose Building at Staebler Farm Park

WCPARC announces the groundbreaking of its long-awaited Multipurpose Building at Staebler Farm County Park. The new structure will service the needs of park staff and site partner, the Michigan Folk School.

Planning for the building began in early 2019 but...

WCPARC 2022 Annual Report

The Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission has provided outstanding programs and amenities to residents and visitors since 1973. What started with five roadside parks and undeveloped land in Lyndon Township has grown to a nationally recognized p...

Staebler Farm Park Development Proposal

The vision for the development of Staebler Farm County Park has been rooted in the desire to highlight the cultural, agricultural, and natural resources on site. It will offer Washtenaw County residents the opportunity to learn new skills, enjoyi...

Local Rain Gardens Continue to Thrive With Help From Controlled Burns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 15, 2023

Harry Sheehan, Chief Deputy Water Resources Commissioner

Phone: 734-222-6860

Email: [email protected]

Local Rain Gardens Continue to Thrive With Help From Controlled Burns 

Ann Arbor, MI ...

Funding Moves Forward for Eastern County Recreation and Community Center

MEDIA RELEASE

November 21,  2022

For Immediate Release

Contact: Crystal S. Campbell || Public Information Officer 

[email protected] || (734) 478-1856

FUNDING MOVES FORWARD FOR EASTERN COUNTY RECREATION ANDCOMMUNITY CENTER

Washt...

Prosecutor's Office Releases 2022 Year End Report

 In 2022, we secured major convictions, built new programs, litigated major cases, and secured millions of dollars in resources to benefit our community. But none of our work was done alone. To our partners, volunteers, and staff, we extend our h...

Prosecutor's Office Publishes 2021 Year End Report

In 2021, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office implemented a number of new policies, initiatives, and projects aimed at protecting public safety, and promoting fairness and equity in the criminal legal system. These changes came as the result...

WEMU Highlights WCSO Specialized Programs for Ypsilanti Youth

WeLIVE's Trevonte Thomas tells his story of survival and how these specialized programs work. 

View/Listen to the show by clicking on the picture. 

WeLive Strives to Break the Cycle of Retaliatory Violence

WeLive Interview with WEMU's Cathy ShafranFebruary 1st-7th is National Gun Violence Survivors Week. This year, the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office is helping amplify and share the stories of those directly impacted by gun violence  here in Wash...

National Gun Violence Survivors Week

Each day this week we will post a new video of a Washtenaw County survivor sharing their story in their own words. 

Please help us amplify their voices and the lessons learned by sharing their stories.

I Am A Survivor: Roger Roper

 I Am A S...

Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton Looks Forward to Working with State and Local Partners to Imp

The following  link is to the press release put out by the State Court Administrative Office which also contains a link to the full report.  

https://www.courts.michigan.gov/news-releases/2022/december/jail-reform-advisory-council-annual-...

Media Release: Understanding and Supporting CVI

Recently, several loud voices are pushing back against the concept of community-based peers with lived experience working to save lives through the anti-violence movement. This push back is short-sighted, irresponsible, and contrary to the national emergi...

Free Income Tax Filing Assistance Available

Free income tax preparation assistance is available to households earning less than $60,000 per year through United Way of Washtenaw County. To make an appointment, call 2-1-1 or 1-800-552-1183 starting January 19. Space fills up quickly, so don'...

$25,000 in Housing Assistance Available

2022 Annual Report

Read on...

Local Rain Gardens Continue to Thrive With Help From Controlled Burns

Controlled burns are scheduled to be performed during the spring months in rain gardens and stormwater features throughout Washtenaw County - as weather conditions permit. PlantWise, LLC, the contractor responsible for controlled burns for the Water Resou...

Business Owners – protect water quality inside, outside & under your building!

Business Owners – protect water quality inside, outside & under your building! 

Businesses have a direct effect on the water quality in the Rouge River watershed. When rain and snow/ice melt travel across the land (watershed) and int...

Issues of the Environment-Cultivating home and community food gardens in Washtenaw County

Issues of the EnvironmentWeekly radio show hosted by David Fair that airs each Wednesday at 6:50am and 8:50am. This show has been named Best Mini-Documentary or Series by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters!

• March 15, 2023: Cultivating home a...

Dive into the Turtle Disco Rain Garden

Dive into the Turtle Disco Rain Garden

Watch and listen to Stephanie Heit’s journey with her rain garden at her home studio, Turtle Disco. 

From conception, through creation, and care, Stephanie describes the process of caring for her rain garden a...

Issues of the Environment-A2 Area Commercial Solar Program to expand green energy to businesses

Issues of the EnvironmentWeekly radio show hosted by David Fair that airs each Wednesday at 6:50am and 8:50am. This show has been named Best Mini-Documentary or Series by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters!

• March 8, 2023:  A2 Area Commercial...

Issues of the Environment-New study on exposure risks in Ann Arbor basements from 1,4dioxane

Issues of the EnvironmentWeekly radio show hosted by David Fair that airs each Wednesday at 6:50am and 8:50am. This show has been named Best Mini-Documentary or Series by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters!

• March 1, 2023: New study highlight...