State Rep. Dave Pagel, of Oronoko Township, has been impressed by the information being shared with the bipartisan House C.A.R.E.S. Task Force as it moves forward to reform mental health services in Michigan, the lawmaker said.

“This is an opportunity to address an issue that touches virtually every person across our state,” said Pagel. “Anyone with mental health challenges deserves the opportunity to have a healthy and independent life. Our mission is finding opportunities to address a problem that is not one-size-fits-all as it can affect a family member, a neighbor who is a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder or a family friend with severe addiction issues. We’ve heard from a lot of organizations and individuals, giving us ideas as we continue to have public meetings and facility tours across Michigan.”

The C.A.R.E.S. Task Force, named for the Community, Access, Resources, Education and Safety elements of the mental health reform, has heard hours of testimony during meetings in Livingston, Kent, Oakland and Ingham counties, while visiting state facilities in Oakland, Washtenaw and Ionia counties over the past six weeks.

The Task Force met in Detroit on Monday, Sept. 11.

Pagel, as chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections for three years, emphasized that inmates with mental health issues require significant financial resources.

“The reforms we are exploring are about better allocating our efforts – medically and financially – to ultimately improve care for these incarcerated individuals while funding in a responsible manner,” Pagel said.

Additional meetings and tours are expected for the task force before the end of September with legislation expected to be introduced by the end of 2017.

“I’m encouraged by the amount of face-to-face feedback we have received, but we know we can’t speak with everybody regardless of how many meetings and site tours we’ve done over the past six weeks,” said Pagel. “My office has received information from southwest Michigan residents who can be helped and I’d like to encourage that through at least the end of September. I want real reform for this issue because I know how incredibly important it is for us.”

The public is encouraged to submit suggestions online at house.mi.gov/CARES.