Ann Arbor Housing Commission works in collaboration with local agencies to provide a variety of resources to the community.
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Sally Amos-O’Neal
Washtenaw County Community Mental Health (WCCMH)
734.544.2919
24/7 hotline for Washtenaw County substance use
treatment support starting January 1
Washtenaw County residents will be able to call 734-544-3050 for substance use treatment support
YPSILANTI, Mich., Dec. 23, 2021 – On January 1, 2022, Washtenaw County residents who want substance use treatment support can call a 24/7 hotline, 734-544-3050, to receive an immediate screening, referral to a community-based provider, or guidance on how to get connected to services.
The calls will be answered by licensed mental health and substance use professionals at Washtenaw County Community Mental Health (WCCMH).
“Washtenaw County Community Mental Health, with its fully staffed 24/7 access line, is best positioned to serve as the new access point,” says James Colaianne, the chief executive officer at Community Mental Health Partnership of Southeast Michigan (CMHPSM).
The switch aligns Washtenaw with the other regional counties overseen by the CMHPSM—Lenawee, Livingston, and Monroe—who all use their community mental health agency as the main access point for substance use disorder services.
“It’s important to note,” says Lisa Gentz, program administrator for millage services at WCCMH, “that WCCMH will not supplant the county’s core substance use treatment providers. They will connect callers with the region’s exceptional community based providers—including Dawn Farm, Home of New Vision, and other providers in our network.”
“We expect this change to be a huge improvement for those seeking substance use treatment,” says Trish Cortes, director of WCCMH. “Substance use needs are mental and physical health needs. People who request this support need it as quickly as possible.”
CMHPSM and WCCMH believe that the new 24/7 screening process will significantly speed time to treatment—and make it easier for residents to access services when they’re ready to take that step.
Before the pandemic, dozens of substance use treatment providers and stakeholders were convened by the Washtenaw Health Initiative to discuss ways to improve the region’s substance use treatment system. A single point of entry access process, and a universal screening tool, were some of the main recommendations that came out of this substance use treatment systems improvement process.
“I think Washtenaw County’s move to a single point of access is a big step in the right direction,” says Tim Shewcraft, peer recovery project coordinator at Michigan Medicine. “I feel the population is best served by simplifying the process for the many community providers attempting to provide patients with referrals to this much needed care.”
“As a harm reduction specialist working with this population for over 20 years, many of these individuals are frustrated with access barriers to our care system,” says Lemont Gore, street outreach coordinator at Unified: HIV Health and Beyond. “I’m confident and hopeful that simplifying our access route, via [Washtenaw County] Community Mental Health, will enhance the process for those seeking help and also encourage others to consider their options.”
The intake process will also allow WCCMH to continue to collect data about substance use treatment needs and outcomes, such as time from assessment to treatment, as the WCCMH access system is integrated with CMHPSM’s electronic health record.
For substance use disorder emergencies—such as an overdose or imminent danger—people should continue to call 911 for immediate professional help.
For all other needs, the 24/7 access line will connect callers to local, professional services. Residents can also call the access line with a broad range of questions, including how to help loved ones and how to navigate the county’s substance use treatment system.
Washtenaw County Community Mental Health
Washtenaw County Community Mental Health (WCCMH) promotes hope, recovery, resilience, quality of life, and wellness by providing high quality, integrated services to eligible individuals. Thanks to the Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage, WCCMH expanded its services to all county residents regardless of insurance, ability to pay, or crisis severity. For guidance on how to get connected to services, call 734-544-3050.
National Leased Housing Association (NLHA) Education Fund resident scholarship program
The NLHA Education Fund was formed by the National Leased Housing Association in 2007 to provide educational assistance to residents of federally assisted rental housing. The Education Fund will provide scholarships on behalf eligible individuals living in privately owned federally assisted housing which includes project-based rental assistance, LIHTC or Section 8 voucher recipients following four distinctive roads to higher education, three named in memory of long-time housing advocates. Funds are provided directly to the college/school for tuition assistance on behalf of successful applicants upon confirmation of need.
Applications are due by
April 12, 2024. Awards are expected to be announced in early June.
NHLA Press Release and Application Instructions
NLHA 2024 Education Fund Flyer
Rising Hope for Housing Program
The City of Ann Arbor has directed funding to help Washtenaw County households who have housing choice vouchers and are justice-impacted to avoid eviction and improve housing stability and self-sufficiency. The Rising Hope for Housing is a pilot program running between July 1, 2023 until June 30, 2024. Service providers making household referrals to the program must have applicant complete an application with a signed Release of Information. See below for application details and fillable referral form.
Rising Hope for Housing Program Flyer (PDF)
Rising Hope for Housing Fillable Referral Form & ROI (PDF)
For more information, contact Sharon Lapides at Washtenaw Housing Alliance ([email protected]) or Weneshia Brand at AAHC ([email protected]).
HUD Posts HOTMA Training for PH Residents and HCV Participants
On the HUD Exchange resources library webpage, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has posted a HOTMA training titled “What Does it Mean for Me? Part 2: Asset and Real Property Limitations," which explains to public housing residents and Housing Choice Voucher program participants how the new HOTMA rules related to asset and real property limitations may affect their tenancy. The training is broken into five chapters:
- Overview
- How PHAs can apply the new rules
- Asset limitation
- Real property limitation
- Related resources for residents
Click here to find the links to the recording, slides, and transcript of the training.
