Since 1908

Updated 10/8/08

Governor Convenes the Michigan Mental Health Commission

Governor Granholm convened the first meeting of the Michigan Mental Health Commission on Monday, February 2nd. The Governor has charged the Commission with the task of recommending sweeping changes in the delivery and effectiveness of Michigan's public mental health system.

There were high expectations reflected in each Commissioner’s introductory statements. This is the first commission in Michigan since 1981, and there was a strong sense at this opening meeting that the system in Michigan needs a roadmap.  Reflections ranged from “the system is broken” school of thought to those who would defend our present community-based approach, and yet allow that there is room for change. Several acknowledged that political change is as necessary as systemic change. Many extolled their peers to keep the person/consumer/patient first and the day was peppered with comments about terms, definitions, and the strictures of political correctness. Funding was a nearly universally acknowledged need and thankfully no one bound the Commission to budget-neutral proposals. Many comments were mindful of present budget realities, but those should not constrain the roadmap to a future system.

Present were a diverse group of committed individuals representing a wide array of interests.  Seated are state legislators, professionals, advocates, and consumers and family members. Also at the table are a member of Congress, a probate judge and a prosecutor. There are representatives from CMHs, but not to be presumed defenders of the status quo. The departments of Community Health, Education, Corrections, and the Family Independence Agency are at the table, in a non-voting support capacity. 

The Commission is ably chaired by Patrick Babcock, the director of public policy at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek.  In this capacity, he is also a program director of Comprehensive Community Health Models of Michigan, a WKKF initiative to partner with three Michigan communities that want to reform their health care systems. Mr. Babcock brings his experience a Director of the Michigan Department of Social Services, the Department of Mental Health and The Department of Labor.

Waltraud (“Wally”) Prechter is serving as vice-chair and providing complement in perspective and style. She is president and founder of the Heinz C. Prechter Fund for Manic Depression, honoring her late husband.  Mrs. Prechter has a long history of service in numerous civic and charitable organizations, and also brings to the table her recent experience serving on President Bush’s New Freedom Commission.

There are three psychiatrists and MPS members seated on the Commission: Tom Carli, MD, assistant dean for clinical affairs at the University of Michigan Medical School and medical director of the University of Michigan health system Medical Management Center and Disease Management Programs.  He brings additional perspective as the medical director of the Washtenaw Community Health Organization, an integrated service model for Medicaid enrollees. Michele Reid, MD is the medical director of the Detroit-Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency, an organization that is larger than many state systems.  She is also a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and a clinical associate in the Addiction Research Institute, at Wayne State University.  Rajiv Tandon, MD, is a professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical Center. His major area of clinical and research interest is the neuropharmacology of schizophrenia, with over 200 scientific publications and more than 500 scientific presentations and several awards among his accomplishments.

The Mental Health Commission is being funded by the Flinn Family Foundation, a major funder of mental health projects in Michigan, whose director, Leonard Smith is serving on the project management team. The Commission is being facilitated and staffed by Public Sector Consultants of Lansing.

The Michigan Department of Community Health will maintain a commission website, which will post the members, meeting schedule, minutes, all reference materials and other background materials and resources for the Commission.  This will be a rich website, already posting articles and data of interest, including the American Psychiatric Association’s Vision for a Mental Health System.  Visit www.michigan.gov/mentalhealth and engage in the public commentary process.  Contact the MPS office for assistance in interacting with the Michigan Mental Health Commission.