October 2024 was a big month for brainstorming, planning and strategizing at the behavioral health/criminal legal intersection in Wayne County. In a two-session event hosted by the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice at the Wayne State University School of Social Work, delegates explored critical intervention mapping (CIM) for youth justice to understand the effect of youth justice on families.
The event, sponsored by the Flinn Foundation, was held at The Henry in Dearborn and took place on October 2 and October 16, 2024. In attendance were 40-50 key stakeholders from Wayne County involved in youth justice and representing the court, education, care management, community health networks and individuals with lived experience, among others.
Moderating the event was Tyler Logan, founder and CEO of Black in Public Health. Logan’s work is at the intersection of public health, philanthropy and the criminal-legal system to mitigate health disparities in BIPOC, justice-involved and youth populations, According to the Critical Intervention Mapping for Youth Justice event program.
The term “critical intervention mapping” refers to the steps through which youth can travel when they come into contact with law enforcement, explains Nanci Hambrick, Wayne County Initiative Manager at Center for Behavioral Health and Justice at the Wayne State University School of Social Work. Her role in the CIM for Youth Justice event is to bring people together and facilitate conversations, so that action can be taken.
As a visual of the continuum, Hambrick describes a ruler: zero to two inches are community supports, two to four are the point a youth comes into contact with law enforcement, four to six are if they have to go to court, six to eight are if they get detained, eight to 12 are reentry into the community.
“(CIM) is looking at the different places youth could potentially be deflected from going further on the ruler,” she says. If, for example, a police officer who is called out to a family home for a domestic situation can connect the youth to a social worker to de-escalate and help the family into supportive services, the youth is not moving to the next step on the ruler, which is detention.
“There are all these points along the way, and the goal is to divert and deflect youth from getting further down into that system because once you’re in, it’s really hard to get out,” Hambrick says, adding that once a youth is in the legal system, there’s not as much room to affect change. The effort, then, is a focus on early intervention as well as supportive reentry.
With teen behavioral and mental health in the U.S. at an all-time high, delegates are drilling down to Wayne County to assess available resources and gaps, especially in giving individuals agency over what they want and need as resources.
“What I like about this (event) is taking a step back to let the people working in the systems identify what that is and really engaging — rather than coming with a top-down solution, which is much more typical,” Hambrick says.
Hambrick says there’s power in gathering people together to have these important conversations, and, she says, the Flinn Foundation is on board with this practice. “They want data-driven and evidence-based practices, but they also understand and value this part of it,” she explains.
“What I find so valuable is that understanding that change theory is building the consensus before you can come up with everything else. The more I work in this field, the more deeply I appreciate that.”
Learn more about the initiatives of the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice at the Wayne State University School of Social Work at wayne.edu.
In a luncheon ceremony at Ford Field on October 15, 2024, Andrea Cole was recognized for her longstanding commitment to improving the availability of evidence-based mental health services for those who live in southeast Michigan.
Cole was honored for her work as President and CEO of The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation, receiving the Eleanor Josaitis “Unsung Hero” Award for her work in the mental health space.
“I feel honored to receive this award,” Cole says.
The Unsung Hero Award recognizes individuals who work outside the limelight to encourage collaboration among groups for the well-being and betterment of southeast Michigan — and is one of the Shining Light Awards that recognizes the importance of regional cooperation.
The Shining Light Awards’ focus on connection and collaboration is appropriate because it describes Cole’s work with the Flinn Foundation — and how she came to be nominated for the award.
When he was considering nominating Cole, Jack Kresnak, a former Detroit Free Press journalist and current Flinn Foundation Board Trustee, drew on considerable background gained during his 10-year Urban Health Initiative fellowship designed to study systems change to benefit child welfare and juvenile justice. He learned how influential public-private partnership can be in improving outcomes for kids — and recognized the importance of collaboration.
“Since joining the Flinn Foundation as a trustee in 2013, I watched Andrea Cole work tirelessly and quietly behind the scenes to get the major actors addressing the needs of people with mental health conditions to work together to improve the lives of thousands of people and their families,” Kresnak says.
“I grew to admire Andrea’s tenacity, good-humor and knowledge to bring people together to make Michigan a leader in meeting the needs of those people. The TRAILS program which Andrea spearheaded is just one of the many improvements in the behavioral health systems in our state,” he adds.
In his professional career, Kresnak was impacted by the friendship and mentorship of Eleanor Josaitis, for whom the “Unsung Hero” Award was named. When the awards launched in 2007, Kresnak says he began thinking of people he could nominate.
“Andrea was on the top of my list, but I waited a few years before nominating her and soliciting letters of support from board members and others who worked with her,” he says.
The light that shines on Cole’s work lifts the mission of the Flinn Foundation because it helps reduce stigma related to mental health, making it easier for people to get help and live successful lives, Kresnak says.
“Because of Andrea, the Flinn Foundation is now known as the go-to entity to guide organizations into collaborations to make long-lasting change,” he says. “We are a small Foundation and, as I said in my nominating letter, Flinn is ‘punching above its weight’ due to Andrea’s leadership.”
In addition to her work at the Flinn Foundation, Cole also serves as Board Chair of TRAILS, Board Treasurer of Grantmakers in Health, Board Treasurer of Mindful Philanthropy and as Co-Chair with the Michigan Justice Fund.
On October 1, 2024, Andrea Cole of the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation spoke at the Youth Transition Funders Group (YTFG) to highlight mental health-focused initiatives in southeast Michigan.
Based in Westchester County, New York, YTFG is a national network of funding organizations dedicated to supporting the well-being and economic success of vulnerable youth, ages 14-25. YTFG is a community for about 100 funders and provides opportunities for organizations to learn from each other and stay up-to-date on key initiatives and policy developments related to the success of youth and young adults.
At the fall meeting held in Detroit, local, regional and national groups came together to share successes and highlight innovative efforts.
Through her discussion with attendees, Cole shared information about TRAILS, a key mental health initiative launched through funding from the Flinn Foundation. TRAILS brings evidence-based mental health strategies to the school setting. Through a three-tiered model, TRAILS provides social and emotional learning, cognitive behavioral therapy and suicide prevention to support the emotional health of Michigan students, as well as identify and care for those with existing mental health conditions.
“I’m always excited when I get to share information about the success of TRAILS,” Cole says. “It’s also so gratifying to illustrate the impact grantmaking organizations like the Flinn Foundation can have on the mental health of youth.”
Learn more about the work of the Youth Transition Funders Group and about the impact of TRAILS.
The Flinn Foundation is proud to celebrate its Board of Trustees Chairman, The Honorable Freddie G. Burton, Jr., for being named the 2024 recipient of the esteemed Treat Award for Excellence by the National College of Probate Judges (NCPJ).
Chief Judge Burton, who serves as the Chief Judge of Wayne County Probate Court (WCPC), is recognized for his groundbreaking creation of the court’s Behavioral Health Unit (BHU).
In launching the BHU, Chief Judge Burton has brought together a coalition of stakeholders — including mental health providers, hospitals, law enforcement, and government agencies — creating a collaborative approach that has yielded both cost savings and improved service delivery for Wayne County residents.
The unit focuses on addressing the needs of individuals with significant mental illness, providing assisted outpatient treatment, and successfully reducing jail overcrowding. His efforts have transformed how the court interacts with individuals suffering from mental illness, ensuring they receive proper treatment rather than incarceration.
The BHU has become a model for courts and agencies across Michigan and beyond, demonstrating how judicial leadership can enhance mental health services while promoting public safety.
“Helping hundreds of individuals get the treatment they need to stay in recovery and avoid incarceration, hospitalization, and homelessness exemplifies the value and impact of judicial leadership,” writes Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth T. Clement in a letter congratulating Judge Burton on his achievement, according to a release shared by Michigan Courts.
Andrea Cole, President and CEO of the Flinn Foundation, expressed the organization’s pride in Chief Judge Burton’s accomplishments.
“Chief Judge Burton’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to improving mental health outcomes in our community are inspiring. His work with the Behavioral Health Unit has not only provided essential services to vulnerable individuals but also created a model of care that other jurisdictions can follow. We are immensely proud to have him as our Board Chair and extend our heartfelt congratulations on this well-deserved honor,” says Cole.
This prestigious award, which recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the improvement of law or judicial administration, is a testament to Chief Judge Burton’s tireless work in transforming mental health services within the criminal justice system. The award was announced on October 10, 2024, to coincide with World Mental Health Day.
Chief Judge Burton joins an illustrious group of past recipients of the Treat Award, including the late United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and his former WCPC colleague, Hon. Milton L. Mack, Jr. This recognition not only highlights Chief Judge Burton’s local impact but also positions him as a leader in national conversations about mental health and the law.
The Flinn Foundation congratulates Chief Judge Burton on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to his continued work in improving the lives of individuals with mental illness through compassionate, innovative leadership.
Charita Cole Brown had overcome the most challenging parts of her bipolar diagnosis and had even written a book about her experiences before she connected with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Maryland, where she lives.
Brown’s memoir, Defying the Verdict: My Bipolar Life, shares her experiences of receiving her diagnosis while in her final year at Wesleyan University. Since that time, Brown has discovered what she needs to thrive. Her book is an inspiration to those whose lives are affected by bipolar disorder.
As a board member of NAMI Maryland, Brown continues to inspire and support individuals with mental health challenges.
“I wanted to be part of an organization that was intentionally helping to support other people so they could live well,” says Brown.
Through the many different programs at NAMI, individuals can learn more about mental health challenges, whether they are experiencing them or are a supportive family member.
From basic information courses to family-to-family support groups and peer support groups, Brown says some NAMI education programs are consistent from chapter to chapter. What she might find in Maryland, others may be able to find in Detroit, for instance.
“The reason NAMI can do so much is because people volunteer their time to be part of this,” she says.
In a short NAMI YouTube documentary series called Strength Over Silence: Stores of Courage, Culture and Community, Brown talks about her experience with mental health in the Black community in a segment called “Shattering Racial Stereotypes.”
“Black people, especially Black women, were always expected to be strong,” she says in the video, describing the stereotype of a Black woman who takes care of others, “and all the while, she’s smiling.”
Despite her reluctance to dredge up all the issues that come with a bipolar disorder diagnosis, Brown says she recognized that she was living well. She knew it was time to share her experiences through her memoir, Defying the Verdict: My Bipolar Life.
“If one person could get hope from my story and be encouraged to live well, then let’s write the book,” she thought. Her degree in English helped her accomplish this goal.
When she connected with NAMI in 2015, she says she heard people “tell powerful stories of what NAMI had done for them and what NAMI had done for their mental health.”
She knew the power of her own story and had a desire to be part of a grassroots volunteer organization where people shared their lived experiences with mental health.
“I learned from NAMI that it’s OK not to be OK and there is a community of people that are waiting to help you,” she says.
Learn more about Charita Cole Brown and purchase her book, Defying the Verdict: My Bipolar Life at chartiacolebrown.com. Read the first article in this series about Charita Cole Brown and learn about how her wellness plan helps her thrive on the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation website.
The Detroit-based Ethel and James Flinn Foundation has announced grants awarded for 2024. In all, 54 organizations received $2.6 million in grants from the Flinn Foundation. The goal of the grants is to increase access to mental health treatment to as many individuals in Southeast Michigan as possible. Fourteen organizations received mini grants.
“Our grantee partners are making an incredible impact by providing crucial mental health services for people of all ages in Michigan,” said Andrea Cole, President and CEO of the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation. “We’re proud to support their ongoing work to bring much-needed treatment and resources to our communities.”
Grantee partners are grouped into five program areas, including evidence-based treatment practices for adults, young people or children; capacity building; advocacy support; awareness, education and outreach mini-grant programs; and collaborative partnership initiatives.
Grantee partners are listed below.
Hannan Center in Detroit was awarded $50,000 to provide CBT and case management support to older adults in Detroit who are experiencing self-neglect and related disorders (e.g., hoarding, depression, etc.)
Henry Ford Health System in Detroit was awarded $100,000 to support The Metro Detroit Trauma Recovery Initiative (TRI) to provide trauma-informed and evidence-based behavioral health services and resources to survivors of traumatic injuries.
Henry Ford Health System in Detroit was awarded $100,000 to train physicians to treat alcohol use disorders by implementing screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT).
Henry Ford Health System in Detroit was awarded $100,000 to identify Veterans at risk of suicide and connect them with services by implementing the Zero Suicide Program.
Oakland Community Health Network in Troy was awarded $100,000 to assess and mitigate threats of (mass) violence in Oakland County.
Packard Health of Ann Arbor was awarded $75,000 to support a Nurse Care Manager (NCM) to work with patients and providers in an Office Based Addiction Treatment model.
Southwest Detroit Community Justice Center in Detroit was awarded $100,000 to provide trauma-informed wraparound case management services for individuals and families.
The Guidance Center in Southgate was awarded $50,000 to train 300 clinical and peer support staff with the Zero Overdose “Overdose Safety Plan,” an evidence-based model which bridges a critical gap in how to help people at risk for overdose.
Zaman International in Inkster was awarded $100,000 to provide culturally competent mental health program adapted to meet the needs of immigrant and refugee women.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan in Farmington Hills was awarded $75,000 to offer a range of trauma informed mental health services through the Mentally Fit Program, which includes 1:1 and group therapy, assessments, and academic and tutoring enrichment.
Children’s Center of Wayne County in Detroit was awarded $75,000 to implement developmental screening, assessment, and mental health treatment models in early childhood settings for children (four to six).
Children’s Center of Wayne County in Detroit was awarded $70,000 to implement summer support to ensure year-round care for children in school-based mental health services.
Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network in Detroit was awarded $75,000 to
offer holistic, wraparound services for youth in Wayne County and Detroit who are involved with the juvenile justice system and need behavioral health services.
Henry Ford Health System in Detroit was awarded $75,000 to implement a technology-driven Safety Planning Intervention in pediatric primary care at Henry Ford Health to increase self-help behaviors among individuals who are unable to readily engage with mental health services.
Life Directions in Detroit was awarded $50,000 to implement a program that mitigates effects of trauma among Detroit Hispanic and African American youth.
Oakland Community Health Network in Troy was awarded $75,000 to divert at-risk youth and assist adjudicated youth through interactive journaling.
Samaritas in Detroit was awarded $75,000 to provide innovative substance use disorder treatment focusing on vaping/e-cigarette use for adolescents, foster care, and transitional youth ages 13-19 through the Oakland County clinic.
Wellness Plan Medical Centers Foundation of Detroit was awarded $50,000 to enhance children’s mental health with evidence-based practices.
Downtown Detroit Partnership Inc. of Detroit was awarded $50,000 to connect individuals with mental health challenges and substance abuse disorders in Downtown Detroit to services provided by the Continuum of Care network.
Eastern Michigan University Foundation in Ypsilanti was awarded $50,000 to expand access to evidence-based, trauma-informed child mental health services.
Freedom House Detroit was awarded $50,000 to expand services by providing group therapy for clients.
Lincoln Behavioral Services in Redford was awarded $50,000 to decrease/eliminate bullying, suicidal thoughts/behaviors, school violence and school avoidance in youth.
Orchards Children’s Services Inc. in Southfield was awarded $50,000 to
support cyber security testing of Orchards Children’s Services IT systems.
Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, was awarded $50,000 to develop system dynamics model for adolescent mental health services in Washtenaw County.
Rose Hill Center in Holly was awarded $50,000 to add a Peer Recovery Specialist/Coach as a key component Trauma Informed Care clinical programming.
Ruth Ellis Center Inc. in Highland Park was awarded $50,000 to increase access to home-based services for LGBTQ2S+ youth in Wayne County.
Starfish Family Services in Inkster was awarded $50,000 to train and support clinicians to enhance mental health care and service delivery for vulnerable groups.
The Board of Governors in Detroit was awarded $50,000 to support the Early Childhood Support Clinic (ECSC) to provide evidence-based mental health services to children birth – 5 years and their families.
Vista Maria in Dearborn Heights was awarded $50,000 to support on-site, in-person Motivational Interviewing Training for 153 clinical and direct-care team members who are providing care for foster youth with acute mental health needs and trauma symptoms.
Association for Children’s Mental Health in Lansing was awarded $15,000 for general operating support. ACMH provides advocacy support for individual children and their families across Michigan by focusing on activities to enhance the system of services which address the needs of children with serious emotional disorders.
Autism Alliance of Michigan in Southfield was awarded $25,000 for general operating support. AAoM is an advocacy organization focused on addressing treatment access and support for individuals and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Kevin’s Song in Grosse Pointe Park was awarded $15,000 for general operating support. Kevin’s Song is an advocacy organization that brings families, providers and policymakers together to learn and share evidence-based practices to prevent suicides.
Mental Health Association in Michigan was awarded $50,000 for general operating support. Based in Lansing, MHAM is the state’s oldest nonprofit organization concerned with mental illness and is the leading policy and research advocate.
Michigan’s Children was awarded $65,000 for general operating support. Based in Lansing, Michigan’s Children will bolster the public policy research advocacy capacity of mental health services providers, and youth and families who receive mental health services.
NAMI Metro in Northville was awarded $15,000 for general operating support. Located in southeast Michigan, NAMI Metro’s constituent members cover the Foundation’s geographic focus of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb County.
NAMI Michigan in Lansing was awarded $50,000 for general operating support. NAMI Michigan and its statewide affiliates advocate at the state level for persons affected by mental illness and serves as a leading proponent on consumer and family involvement in care, treatment and recovery. NAMI Michigan helps to strengthen local affiliates to provide support within their communities.
NAMI Washtenaw County in Ann Arbor was awarded $15,000 for general operating support. Located in southeast Michigan, NAMI Washtenaw County constituent members cover the Foundation’s geographic focus of Washtenaw County.
Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health in Southgate was awarded $5,000 to support education and training for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health workforce.
American Citizens for Justice Inc. in Westland was awarded $5,000 to provide resources/referrals for victims of hate crimes/racism for healing from resulting trauma and depression.
City Connect Detroit was awarded $5,000 to develop a town hall event to foster meaningful cross-sector conversations and work collaboratively toward collective responses to support youth mental wellness and self-care for direct service providers. City Connect Detroit is based in Detroit.
Growth Works Inc. in Plymouth was awarded $5,000 to empower communities in Western Wayne County to prevent youth suicide through comprehensive education and collaboration.
Harlee and Harper Women’s Association in Eastpointe was awarded $5,000 to provide expectant and new mothers mental health support, promoting healthy pregnancies and postpartum experiences.
Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit was awarded $5,000 to engage with residents in its vicinity about mental health needs and related educational programming.
Oakland University in Rochester was awarded $5,000 to provide children’s group support for trauma, grief and loss.
Recovery Action Network of Michigan in Canton was awarded $5,000 to provide substance use disorder recovery support through community outreach and education.
Self-Care Sanctuary in Detroit was awarded $5,000 to support the Self Care Series created to educate residents about the importance of self-care and mental wellness.
Teacher’s Pet: Dogs and Kids Learning Together in Shelby Township. Was awarded $5,000 to provide a holistic animal-assisted support program to address social-emotional learning, and mental wellness.
The Family Center of Grosse Pointe & Harper Woods in Grosse Pointe Farms was awarded $5,000 to support the Tri-annual community book club featuring a panel of local therapists and physicians.
Washtenaw Area Council for Children in Ypsilanti was awarded $5,000 to educate students and keep them safe from risks online and on social media.
Wayne Center in Detroit was awarded $5,000 to support Parent/Caregiver Support Group to promote self-care and mental health awareness for parents/caregivers of consumers.
Wayne County Probate Court in Detroit was awarded $5,000 to provide awareness and education regarding the behavioral health tools available from the Probate Court.
Metro Solutions in Southfield was awarded $100,000 to support collaborative to address disparities and inequities in accessing physical and mental health among BIPOC Michiganders. Funders partnered with trusted, Black-led community-based organizations to develop or further develop sustainable partnerships between the organizations and safety net health care providers to increase access to high quality, mental health care offered in primary care settings.
Monroe County Intermediate School District in Monroe was awarded $50,000 to implement a comprehensive suicide prevention curriculum designed to address the critical mental health needs of K-12 students.
The Board of Governors (aka WSU) in Detroit was awarded $200,000 to continue implementing the Sequential Intercept Model in Wayne County facilitated by the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice aimed at diverting people with behavioral health conditions away from the criminal justice system into community treatment.
In an ambitious effort to transform behavioral health crisis response across the United States, the Behavioral Health Emergency Response Initiative (BHERi) convened national- and state-level funders and key stakeholders for the BHERi Impact Lab in April 2024.
Hosted by the NYU Marron Institute of Urban Management and the Flinn Foundation, this two-day event was held at the Detroit Athletic Club. The primary objective of the Impact Lab was to maximize innovation and develop strategies in Michigan and other states to improve the lives of those experiencing behavioral health crises. The long-term vision is to create actionable plans to scale Behavioral Health Emergency Response (BHER) systems across the nation that address mental health crises effectively, minimize the likelihood of harm, arrest or unnecessary emergency department visits.
Stakeholders considered broad levers such as financing and workforce development to facilitate statewide scaling. The aim, overall, is to reduce the reliance on emergency departments, prisons and jails for treating acute behavioral health issues.
The BHER initiative members are working collectively to create a future where behavioral health crises are managed with care, efficiency, and compassion. As a partner in this initiative, the Flinn Foundation looks forward to additional progress in the months to come.
On June 24-25, 2024, the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation’s Andrea Cole attended a special convening of global foundations as part of the Global Leadership Exchange on Mental Health.
The invitation-only event was held in Brussels, Belgium, and gathered key foundations from around the world to discuss shared challenges and opportunities around climate anxiety, democratic anxiety and the impact of social media on mental health.
One key element to the conversation was the harmful impact of social media and technology on young people and families.
“The loss of connection and social interaction that we all need as humans is something all mental health foundations and health organizations are worried about,” says Cole. “We discussed how to best lift up this information so parents and families know the damage that social media and device use is causing.”
As more research shows the effects of continuous device and social media use by young people, Cole predicts mental health organizations will share increased messaging about the relative harms.
“I look forward to connecting further with mental health foundations on a global scale. There is so much we can learn from each other and achieve when we collaborate as we did in Brussels,” Cole says.