Four consecutive years of funding cutbacks to mental health services in Michigan - $8.5 million proposed for fiscal 2012 starting Oct. 1 – are starting to take its toll on law enforcement and mental health agencies in metropolitan Detroit, said a number of top officials at a meeting Wednesday at the Detroit Central City Community Mental Health Inc., which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month.
In stark testimony before 50 top officials, including Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and Elizabeth Knisely, director of the state Department of Human Services, Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon and Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee Jr. said the mental health funding cutbacks have impacted public safety, law enforcement operations and increased problems with jail overcrowding.
Thanks and a hat tip to Patti D.