GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich. (WPBN/WGTU) – One of Michigan’s largest community mental health providers is cutting back on critical children’s crisis services due to financial constraints.
The Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority (NLCMHA) is projecting expenditures that exceed its budget and has initiated cost-containment measures. Among the reductions is a significant cut to the hours of its Family Assessment and Safety Team (FAST), a 24/7 mobile crisis unit for children facing acute mental health emergencies.
Previously available around the clock, the FAST team—staffed by mental health professionals—provided critical support to law enforcement and families during crises. As of June 1, those services are now limited to standard weekday business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“For families in crisis, having that non-law enforcement presence was incredibly helpful,” said Capt. Brandon Brinks of the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office. “The FAST team brought in professionals who knew how to deescalate and provide resources in a way we sometimes can’t as deputies.”
Capt. Brinks noted that the team often responded to situations where law enforcement presence alone wasn’t enough to calm a child or manage a mental health emergency. “Sometimes having someone in uniform can escalate tensions,” he said. “The FAST team offered an alternative that many families didn’t even know existed.”
Last week, Northern Lakes administrators notified area law enforcement via email of the change. “In light of NLCMH’s current cost containment, and overall services being provided, we’ve had to make the tough decision to reduce FAST (children’s mobile crisis) services,” the email stated.
The change comes as NLCMHA references a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) policy, which categorizes 24/7 access for Crisis Stabilization Units like the FAST team as optional, not mandatory.
Administrators emphasized that while FAST’s home visits will now be limited to weekday hours, NLCMHA’s crisis hotline remains operational 24/7. “The NLCMH crisis team will still take all of your calls 24/7. We will still assist your officers 24/7,” the email read. “The new crisis center is still available for anyone to go to, and starting in July will be open 24/7. The big change for the community will be that families cannot call NLCMH and request FAST contact at the home after 5 p.m. (except on observed holidays).”
When asked by UpNorthLive whether any FAST team members would remain on-call to respond in person after hours, Northern Lakes declined to offer a direct answer, calling it a “loaded question.”
In the meantime, law enforcement officials are adapting. “We can still reach out to the 24/7 crisis hotline to see if anyone can assist,” said Capt. Brinks. “Otherwise, we can refer the family to the FAST team the next day. The resources are still there—we just may not have someone come directly to the scene anymore.”
UpNorthLive requested further clarification from NLCMHA, but was informed that only Interim CEO Brian Martinus is authorized to speak publicly. Martinus is currently fulfilling military obligations and is unavailable until mid-June. Two spokespersons designated to act in his absence are expected to be available next week.
