Advocacy
St. Clair County Community Mental Health is committed to advocating for strong, person-centered public mental health services at the local, state, and national levels. We believe that the individuals we serve, and those who care about them, deserve a voice in decisions that impact their services, rights, and well-being. This page includes current advocacy alerts, educational resources, and ways you can get involved.
Critical Issue: Protecting Our Public System
The State of Michigan is moving forward with a proposal that could dismantle our public mental health system. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) that would allow private companies and insurance plans to bid for control over the services currently managed by public Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs).
This shift could threaten access to care, local accountability, and long-standing partnerships with providers, peer support programs, and community organizations. We believe the public system must remain public, transparent, mission-driven, and accountable to the people it serves.
Now is the time to take action. Learn more below and help us protect the future of behavioral health care in Michigan.
Learn More & Take Action
PDFs & Handouts
- CMHA: What Happens if the State Privatizes Mental Health?
- CMHA: Opposition to Privatization
- CMHA: “Protecting People Over Profit” Competitive Procurement
- CMHA: Myth vs Facts
- Messaging, Media, & Advocacy Guidance in Response to Proposed Changes to the Public Mental Health System in Michigan
- PIHP Procurement Laws and Regulations Reference Guide
- Understanding the Threats to Public Behavioral Health in Michigan
- Lifeways CMH: Competitive Procurement Issue Summary and FAQ
- Concerns Regarding MDHHS PIHP Contract Procurement Proposal
SCCCMH Board of Directors' Resolutions
Video Content
- Who Loses When We Privatize Mental Health
- Full Recording of Legislative Brief
- SCCCMH Advocacy Videos (YouTube Shorts)
- Senator Stabenow and Representative Rheingans at press conference in opposition to MDHHS bid out proposal
- Emily White at press conference in opposition to MDHHS bid out proposal
- Labor leadership at press conference in opposition to MDHHS bid out proposal
Take Action
- *NEW* Letter of Support Request Instructions & Legislative Contacts
- Personalize a letter of support to your state legislator or Governor Whitmer (community partners, providers, concerned citizens)
- Personalize a letter of support to your state legislator or Governor Whitmer (individuals served)
- Community Mental Health Association of Michigan Advocacy Alert - Take Action Now
- National Council for Mental Wellbeing – Be An Advocate
Your Voice Matters
Anyone can be an advocate. Whether you’re a provider, a family member, or part of the community, your voice matters. Use the links below to contact your legislators and share your concerns about issues affecting Michigan’s public mental health system.
United States
https://www.usa.gov/ Each state in the United States has two Senators who represent them in the Senate in Washington DC. For Michigan, our Senators are Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters.Michigan
https://www.michigan.gov/ The state of Michigan is divided into 38 Senate districts. St. Clair County, falls within the 25th Senate District and is represented by State Senator Dan Lauwers
Michigan is divided into 13 congressional districts, each represented by a member of the United States House of Representatives. St. Clair County falls within the 9th Congressional District and is represented by Congressman Lisa McClain.
Michigan is divided into 110 Districts by the House of Representatives. Parts of St. Clair County falls within the 63rd House District represented by Jay DeBoyer, the 64th House District, represented by Joseph Pavlov and the 65th House District represented by Jaime Greene.
Additional Information
- State of Michigan Legislative Branch Information - SOM - Legislative Branch (michigan.gov)
- Michigan Voter Information Center - Michigan Voter Information Center (state.mi.us)