During a recent meeting of the Chelsea City Council, the Roundtable Group provided an update on the progress made towards adding a community mental health resource using rebate funds from the 2017 County Mental Health and Public Safety Millage. The Superintendent of the Chelsea School District, Mike Kapolka, and CEO of 5 Healthy Towns, Steve Petty, collaborated to deliver this update to the council.
The addition of this new position is intended to complement the existing network of mental health resources in the community. Kapolka informed the council that discussions around structuring and managing the role were ongoing but that they were nearing a decision. He also mentioned that while nothing had been finalized, they were aligning the service area with Chelsea School District boundaries.
Mayor Jane Pacheco emphasized that Washtenaw County Community Mental Health was offering financial assistance as well as clinical management supervision for this new position. This partnership is essential in establishing and sustaining this new resource.
Kapolka highlighted that this position would be established as a two-year pilot program rather than a permanent role. This approach allows for careful consideration, reflection, feedback, and evaluation over the initial period to ensure that it meets the community’s needs effectively.
