PRESS RELEASE: Community listening forum on state psychiatric hospital project is June 13 in Caro
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2019
CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov
Community listening forum on state psychiatric hospital project is June 13 in Caro
Comments may also be submitted via email
LANSING, Mich. – A community listening forum is being conducted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) along with independent consultant Myers and Stauffer to gather input about a new state psychiatric hospital facility in Michigan. The forum is being held in the Caro Community Schools auditorium at 301 Hooper St. in Caro on June 13, 3 – 6 p.m.
MDHHS contracted with Myers and Stauffer to conduct an evaluation of the process and decision to locate a newly constructed state psychiatric hospital facility in Caro. In 2017, the state legislature authorized financing to construct a new hospital on the Caro site. The new Caro Psychiatric Hospital was scheduled to be completed in 2021 and serve 200 adults, an increase of 50 beds from the existing facility.
Earlier this year, concerns about staffing, ability for patients’ families to be involved in their treatment and water accessibility caused state officials to delay the Caro Center Reconstruction project to allow for an independent review and recommendation on next steps to best meet the needs of Michigan’s citizens.
Interested individuals are invited to provide comments on the following areas consistent with the scope of the evaluation:
- The process by which Caro Psychiatric Hospital facility location was determined.
- The status of current psychiatric hospital bed capacity and unmet bed needs.
- Input regarding the appropriate location(s) for state hospital construction.
- Continuing or revising the current Caro build approach to better meet the needs of citizens requiring state hospital supports.
Individuals who are unable to attend the community forum can comment regarding this issue by e-mailing MICaroEvaluation@MSLC.com. Comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19.