Kildee Secures Federal Funding to Expand Mental Health Care Services

FLINT-Congressman Dan Kildee, Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today highlighted new federal funding to help improve mental health services available to Genesee County residents during an event at the Greater Flint Health Coalition.

Congressman Kildee recently announced $750,000 for the Greater Flint Health Coalition to expand their efforts, within the Genesee Community Health Access Program, to improve mental health crisis prevention and treatment for mid-Michigan residents. The federal funding is a part of nine Community Projects Funding requests that Congressman Kildee was able to secure as a part of the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bills.

"No Michigander should have to struggle to get the mental health care they need. I am proud to have secured funding to support the Greater Flint Health Coalition's work to improve mental health crisis prevention and treatment for mid-Michigan residents," said Congressman Kildee. "I will keep working in Congress to expand access to affordable care."

At today's press conference in Flint, Kildee was joined by Dr. Lawrence Reynolds, Interim President & CEO, and Janée A. Tyus, Senior Program Director of the Genesee Community Health Access Program, from the Greater Flint Health Coalition, as well as Dan Russell, CEO of Genesee Health System. Photos of the event are available here.

"Expanding local capacity to increase access to care and navigation of community health resources is a critical step to provide opportunities for improved health outcomes and mental health needs of our residents," said Dr. Lawrence Reynolds, Interim President & CEO, Greater Flint Health Coalition. "The Greater Flint Health Coalition is thankful for Congressman Kildee's leadership and advocacy to build this critical community capacity."

By reaching out to patients with unmet behavioral mental health needs, the program helps to improve the mental health of Michiganders. Thanks to federal funding secured by Congressman Kildee, the new and expanded mental health programs will improve the links between social service and health care organizations, including physicians, hospitals, mental health providers and health insurers.

Congressman Kildee continues to work to expand access to affordable, high-quality mental health care in mid-Michigan. Most recently, Kildee helped pass comprehensive bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would improve existing federal programs providing mental health care services for children, adults and veterans in mid-Michigan and nationwide.