Gratiot County Community Mental Health Services Board was established in November
of 1966 as the first rural CMH Board in the State of Michigan. Board operations
were housed in the basement of a local church.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) awarded a staff funding grant to
GCCMHS in April 1969 which continued for eight years as the Gratiot Community Hospital
and Montcalm County CMH worked in Cooperation with the Agency.
During the period of 1970-1980 the Board operated an alcohol and drug prevention
and treatment program known as the Gratiot County Drug Alcohol Information Center.
In June of 1990 the Capital Area Substance Abuse System rescinded funding for this
program. The program was later opened as Alcohol, Drug Abuse, Prevention &Treatment
(ADAPT).
In 1971, the Board was awarded a construction grant to support a mental health Day
Activities Program providing social and recreational activities for persons with
mental illness. This program was located in the basement of the Gratiot Community
Hospital. Additionally, impatient services were developed and managed by the Board
within Gratiot Community Hospital.
Federal grant money became available in 1977 to create an Adult Activity Program
for the persons with developmental disabilities which originated in the former Bailey
School Building at the corner of Van Buren and Jerome Roads in Alma. The program
was named in honor of the late Cleo Johnson of Ithaca who played a major role in
contributing to special education programs for persons with mental impairments within
Gratiot County and the State of Michigan.
In 1978, the NIMH awarded a construction grant to the Board to build the Mental
Health Center located at 320 Warwick Drive. Additional federal grants were awarded
in 1979 for the Day Activities Program.
A new addition was added to the 320 Warwick Drive building in November 1988. This
addition housed the offices providing services for persons with developmental disabilities
and the Cleo Johnson Adult Activity Program.
The Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA) allowed funding for the establishment
of a program to monitor nursing home placement for geriatric citizens with mental
health needs in Gratiot County.
The Board was considered a Full Management Board in its’ contractual relationship
with the Michigan Department of Community Health in 1992.
The Child, Family and Adolescent Center located on Gratiot Avenue in the old Fire
Hall was established in 1995 to provide services to children, adolescents and families
in need on mental health services.
On June 28, 1996 the board earned a four-year accreditation from the Counsel on
Accreditation Services for Families and Children (COA).
In 1996, the Board was awarded Federal Block Grants for the development of Wrap-Around,
Home Based Services, Case Management for Children and Geriatric Outreach programs.
The Board was awarded Mental Health Authority status on September 23, 1997 by the
Gratiot County Board of Commissioners with approval from the Department of Community
Mental Health.
In 1999 The Client Advisory Panel which includes consumer representation from all
clinical departments was formed. The State Street Apartment Building was purchased
for the provision of transitional housing services.
On 8/9/00 the Board was authorized for a four-year re-accreditation by the Council
on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children, effective until June 30,
2004.
In November of 2000, the agency initiated the transition from segregated day program
services to community based programming.
In 2001 the Board purchased the Wright Avenue Building which housed the DD Services
Department, OBRA Services and Administration. The Agency developed an employment
program for consumers and began to provide training for Direct Support Professionals.
In October, 2002, the Community Mental Health Affiliation of Mid-Michigan (CMHAMM)
was formed with Clinton-Eaton-Ingham CMH as a the PIHP and Gratiot, Ionia, Newaygo,
and Manistee-Benzie CMHs as affiliates. Jail Diversion and Juvenile Justice Programs
were implemented. Children’s SED Respite Services held its first “Summer Camp”.
A parent support group, “Everyone Together Gratiot”, was formed. A Customer Services
Department was created, which included a Customer Service Representative position.
They Agency began participation in the state-wide Adopt-A-Highway program.
In 2003 the Agency received a Consumer Empowerment Grant enabling consumers to facilitate
community education and training related to mental health issues. DD Services implemented
the 24/7 Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) to support consumers in their
own homes. An eleven bed foster care home and 10 acres of property was purchased.
A consumer recognition program, WOW, was created.
In 2004, a consumer was the recipient of the 2004 Helping Hands Award given by the
United Way of Gratiot County. “Everyone Together Gratiot” hosted its first Family
Fun Day. A consumer designed and built a bridge on the Ferris Road property. A consumer
was awarded the “Partners in Excellence Award” by the Michigan Association of Community
Mental Health Boards for the Central Region. The agency established a partnership
with Alma College to develop a Service Learning project.
In 2005 an employee received the Child Advocate of the Year Award. An employee received
the Mentor of the Year Award from MMHRA and SHRM.
In 2006 a volunteer received the United Way Youth Helping Hands award for volunteerism
within the agency. The Community Integration and PERS programs were combined to
become the Community Living Supports (CLS) Program. Mr. Wernick, CEO received the
Hal Madden Award at MACMHB Fall Conference, recognizing his long standing career
in the mental health field. Carolyn Hilley was appointed to the position of Chief
Executive Officer. The agency hosted its first consumer craft show, spotlighting
49 crafter booths.
In 2007 the agency began the direct provision of Recipient Rights Services. The
agency welcomed the addition of a Clinical Director to the Leadership Team. The
Human Resources Manager received the Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Eagle Award
and the HR Department was recognized in the Morning Sun Newspaper for participation
with mock interview day at CMU. The Shredding for Bedding micro-enterprise was featured
in the Middle of the Mitten Magazine. The agency partnered with local realtors to
clean repossessed homes for resale.
In 2008 the Employment Services Program assisted consumers in opening a micro-enterprise
store on the agency’s premises as an avenue to assist consumers to market their
products and services. The number of micro-enterprises increased to 16, and 16 individuals
were placed in community employment. The number of long term employment sites increased
to eight. Job Readiness Training and a Job Club were established. The agency made
a decision to lapse accreditation by the Council On Accreditation. The agency’s
Wright and Warwick Avenue Buildings were paid in full. The HR Department was showcased
at MMHRA for best practices. The Annual Back to School Drive was expanded to include
educational booths for community human services agencies, free haircuts, and other
free giveaways for participants. The agency was given the opportunity to resume
the inclusion of a monthly community education article in the Morning Sun Newspaper.
A new service, Parent to Parent Peer Support was developed to assist families with
a disabled. The after-school mentor program providing skill building assistance
for children with serious emotional disturbances was reinstated.