WHO WE ARE
Letter from the CEO:
LifeWays has a long history of innovation and person-centered care.
We strive to keep those we serve at the heart of what we do while keeping an eye on the future. This can be seen through our pursuit of mental health millages in both Jackson and Hillsdale counties.
With these millages we were able to expand services to include increased mental health education to our community, serving those who are uninsured/underinsured, implementing social enrichment for those with developmental disabilities, and continued support for those with mental health needs in our local jails, schools, and communities.
In addition to the mental health millages, LifeWays is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) grantee which allows us to expand care to even more individuals in need. We will continue to be the public provider of behavioral health services, but the CCBHC grant will allow us to increase access to anyone in need of care.
With the CCBHC grant, LifeWays is now able to provide comprehensive 24/7 access to community-based mental and substance use disorder services, treatment of co-occurring disorders, and physical healthcare in one single location to any individual, regardless of their ability to pay or their place of residence. This comprehensive healthcare approach is the fulfillment of our vision for the people of our communities, who we are honored to serve.
The staff and Board of Directors at LifeWays are dedicated advocates for the needs of our community and its most venerable citizens. They strive to ensure those who are most vulnerable are not forgotten when critical decisions are being made about the future of behavioral health.
Together with our partners, LifeWays is a leader in what a center of excellence in behavioral health care looks and feels like.
About Us
LifeWays is a community mental health services program serving people in Jackson and Hillsdale counties.
We treat adults and children with:
Emotional/behavioral challenges,
Intellectual/developmental disabilities, and
Substance use issues.
We provide a comprehensive set of services used to increase access to care, support people in crisis, and provide treatment for those with the most serious and complex behavioral health needs. As a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) we serve anyone, regardless of their residence or insurance coverage. We treat adults and children with emotional/behavioral challenges, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and substance use issues. Our services focus on recovery, wellness, trauma-informed care, and physical-behavioral health care integration.
Company Milestones
“LifeWays Rebrands
LifeWays underwent a rebranding which included a new logo that better represented those who LifeWays serves.”
“CCBHC Grantee and Reopening
LifeWays received a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). LifeWays also celebrated its grand reopening of the newly remodeled 1200 N. West Ave. campus. ”
“Remodel in Jackson
LifeWays began the full remodel of the 1200 N. West Ave. campus.”
“A Busy Year
LifeWays’ Mental Health Millage proposal was passed in Hillsdale County for implementation in January, 2019.
LifeWays had its Jackson County Bond Request approved. This bond was to be used to fund the remodel of the 1200 N West Ave. building.
LifeWays also opened Crisis R&R and celebrated the remodel of the front lobby at 1200 N. West Ave.
LifeWays began utilizing the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Model.”
“Millage Passed
LifeWays’ Mental Health Millage proposal was passed in Jackson County for implementation in 2019.”
“Awarded Grant
LifeWays was awarded the $1.6 million Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration Grant by SAMSHA to focus on improving the health status of adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses and co-occurring chronic physical health conditions.”
“New Partnerships Lead to New Services
In partnership with both Jackson and Hillsdale counties, LifeWays developed a Critical Incident Stress Management team consisting of over 40 community members.
LifeWays also partnered with Jackson College to provide access and screening services to their students on campus. ”
“Primary Healthcare Comes to Jackson Campus
The Center for Family Health co-located primary care on-site at the LifeWays building in Jackson.
LifeWays also partnered with the Jackson County Intermediate School District to begin Project Aware, a federal grant to increase mental health services in schools.”
“MSHN is Formed and LifeWays begins ICSS
LifeWays joined 11 other Community Mental Health Service Providers throughout 21 surrounding counties to create a new regional entity, Mid-State Health Network (MSHN).
LifeWays also revitalized the Jackson County Suicide Prevention Coalition which had been inactive for many years.
Later that year, LifeWays began to implement Intensive Crisis Stabilization Services and partnered with Allegiance Health’s new graduate medical education program as a rotation site for medical students.”
“Passing of HB 4862
LifeWays was involved in the passing of HB 4862, which allowed community mental health and substance use disorder services to merge. ”
“Expanding Reach within the Community
LifeWays begins offering the prevention program, Mental Health First Aid, to the Jackson and Hillsdale community.
LifeWays also partnered with the Center for Family Health (CFH) to provide behavioral health access and screening on-site at CFH.”
“Mental Health Court
LifeWays partnered with Jackson County Courts to develop a Mental Health Court – One of only 6 in the state. ”
“Purchasing Jackson Campus
LifeWays purchased the building on 1200 N. West Ave., Jackson, MI.”
“Partnering with the Courts and Corrections
LifeWays began a partnership with Hillsdale County Courts to develop a Juvenile Drug Court.
LifeWays then contracted with the Michigan Department of Corrections to administer the Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative.”
“LifeWays Partners with 2∙1∙1
LifeWays partnered with Jackson County United Way for “First Call for Help” which later became 2∙1∙1.”
“Established as an Authority
Jackson and Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners signed the enabling resolution that established LifeWays as an authority, per Public Act 290.
LifeWays also began offering on-site pharmacy services. ”
“JHCMHB Begins Doing Business as (DBA) LifeWays
Jackson-Hillsdale Community Mental Health Board (JHCMHB) became the first community mental health services program in the state to pilot becoming a managed care organization.
JHCMHB began doing business as LifeWays.”
“Passing Public Act 290
JHCMH was a key player in helping to pass Public Act 290, which allowed for the County Mental Health Boards to become authorities. ”
“Hillsdale Campus Moves
JHCMH moved it’s Hillsdale County services to one campus on Care Drive.”
“JCAHO Credentials Received
JHCMH obtained Joint Commission on Accreditation Health Organization (JCAHO) credentials.”
“Clozaril Clinic
JHCMH opened a Clozaril Clinic, a state of the art form of treatment for schizophrenia. Within one year, the clinic was one of the largest in the Midwest.”
“Jackson Campus Moves
JHCMH entered into a “full management contract” with the Michigan Department of Mental Health and moved to one campus at 1200 N West Ave., Jackson, MI LifeWays then developed the states first psychosocial rehabilitation services program for individuals with mental illnesses.”
“Crisis Phone Line Begins
JHCMH partnered with Segue to provide Crisis Phone Line Services which eventually became known as the LifeWays 24/7 Crisis and Access Phone Line.”
“Children’s Day Treatment Program
JHCMH started a children’s day treatment program in partnership with Jackson ISD.”
“Breaking Ground on Day Treatment Center
JHCMH broke ground on a new building for a day treatment center that served individuals with developmental disabilities. ”
“Working on Deinstitutionalization
JHCMH contracted with Hope House to start the process of deinstitutionalizing individuals from state facilities into community-based settings. ”
“Opening Personal Growth Institute
JHCMH opens Personal Growth Institute, a day treatment center for individuals with mental illness, the first in the state of Michigan. ”
“Expanding Services
JHCMH expands services to include Hope Activity Center, emergency counseling center, drug free clinic, Ypsilanti after care program, and the inpatient program at Foote Hospital.”
“Merging with Beth Moser Clinic Board
JHCMH board merged with the Beth Moser Clinic Board in Jackson County and JHCMH started a new “store front program” concept of immediate services to anyone who walked in without red tape.”
“JHCMH is Created
Jackson and Hillsdale counties voted to support the development of a 12-member county board thus creating Jackson-Hillsdale Community Mental Health (JHCMH).”
“Changing Mental Health Care in Jackson and Hillsdale Counties
Instrumental changes in the way that mental health care was provided in Jackson and Hillsdale counties were put into place and led to the beginnings of LifeWays. Including President Kennedy signing the Community Mental Health Act in 1963 that shifted care from institutions to community-based care.”