A little under a month ago, Michigan Children Advocacy Center’s were told their funding would be cut in half. Now, three weeks later, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has unveiled a new grant program.
The caveat: CACs can’t apply for it.
Community mental health services across the state can now apply for a new grant program designed to help kids struggling with mental health.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services unveiled the MI Kids Now Mobile Response Grant Program Friday. The Bureau Director for the Bureau for Children’s Coordinated Health Policy and Supports at the Department of Health and Human Services, Lindsay McLaughlin, says children behavioral needs have been increasing over the past couple years.
“We really think that children, youth and their families with behavioral health needs will directly benefit from this program. By increasing their access to services that will truly address their health needs,” Laughlin states.
It gives the community mental health programs in the state who apply and meet the requirements a grant of $200,000 each.
The Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center CEO Ginger Kadlec says their goal is to help children, but she says it’s increasingly obvious that, “our needs are greater than our resources at this point.
“There’s so many services that are needed. So actually I was thrilled to see that that grant was released. And while it’s not applicable for CACs, we’re hopeful that our state leaders will find ways to ensure that adequate funding are given to child advocacy centers,” Kadlec states.
VOCA funding or Victim of Crimes Act comes from fines and penalties assessed around the country that then puts it into one big pot. From that pot, the money is sent out to state to use for victim services. for the fiscal year of 2022-23. The following day, MDHHS announced their funding would be restored.
“We were told that would happen for this coming fiscal year. Then for fiscal year 23-24 and beyond, we’re not really sure what’s going to happen with VOCA funding. In fact, it’s been implied that we could see it drop again,” Kadlec explains.
With CACs across the state unsure of their future, MDHHS released a statement saying they will be monitoring upcoming federal budgets and advocating for the funding needed to serve children.
“We can continue to just kind of put band-aids on things and see if we can keep going along, or we can really try to make a difference and move the needle. Make sure that kids who need help get the help that they need. All of that is reliant on adequate funding for CACs,” Kadlec says.
The Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center’s largest fundraiser of the year, Circle of Friends, has kicked off and you can to donate.
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