KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — Gun violence, homelessness, crime, suicide, heroin deaths, alcoholism: the agency that takes care of Kalamazoo County residents dealing with these issues is now receiving a massive grant.
The 4-million dollar, two-year grant comes from legislation sponsored by Senator Debbie Stabenow, who visited the Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services building on Thursday to make the announcement.
She talked about her father’s life, who struggled with bipolar disorder, and how at first he was never properly diagnosed.
Stabenow explained that she saw how it was when families did not have proper mental health services but also saw what it was like when they did. She explains that her goal is to make mental health resources available to everybody.
CEO of the Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Jeff Patton, says they have been under funded for years but this grant will be a huge help and another step towards better resources for the community.
The grant will allow them to add more staff and improve their 24-hour mobile crisis team so they can respond to emergency mental health situations, giving police more time to focus on crime.
Kalamazoo was one of 25 sites in the nation and three in Michigan selected to receive the grants.
