NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS   COUNTY OF MUSKEGON BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS July 19, 2022 and August 16, 2022 at 4:30 p.m.   The Muskegon County Board of…

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING COUNTY OF MUSKEGONBOARD OF COMMISSIONERS June 24, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. The Muskegon County Board of Commissioners will hold a special board meeting…

HealthWest will be hosting the first of three public hearings on Wednesday, June 15, regarding its potential transition to a behavioral health authority.   The hearing will be held at…

HealthWest will host its Annual Meeting during the Board of Directors meeting scheduled for 8 a.m., Friday, April 29, at the HealthWest Mental Health Center, 376 E. Apple Ave.  …

The Muskegon County HealthWest Board is requesting qualifications for Medication Assisted Treatment Services. The Muskegon County HealthWest Department is seeking to expand the list of qualified service providers for Medication…

Following the recent fatal school shooting in Oxford and resulting copycat threats that have closed schools locally and across the state, many children will be turning to parents/guardians, teachers, and…

MUSKEGON — Health, Wellness & Recovery Picnic (HWR), Muskegon County’s largest health resource fair, will be returning to Hackley Park in downtown Muskegon to celebrate its 10th anniversary on Thursday,…

The public is invited to virtually participate in August’s HealthWest board meetings. August’s meeting schedule: Friday, Aug. 13: Program/Personnel/Recipient Rights Committees Friday, Aug. 20: Finance Committee Friday, Aug. 27: Full…

HealthWest to host virtual Program/Personnel Committee meeting on Friday, July 9 HealthWest will be hosting a virtual Program/Personnel Committee meeting at 8 a.m. Friday, July 9. The Board of Directors…

HealthWest will be hosting a virtual Board of Directors meeting at 8 a.m. Friday, June 25. The public is welcome to attend.   To attend, visit https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/91963645230 Or call (301)…

HealthWest will host a virtual Finance Committee meeting at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 18. The public is invited to attend.   To join, visit https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/98701703819 Or by phone: (312)…

The HealthWest Board of Directors will host its monthly Program/Personnel/Recipient Rights committee meetings at 8 a.m., Friday, June 11. The public is welcome to attend.   To join, visit https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/92718779426…

HealthWest will host a virtual full board meeting at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 21. To join, visit: https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/91963645230 Or call (301) 715-8592 and enter meeting ID 91963645230 You can…

The HealthWest Board of Directors will be hosting a virtual finance committee meeting at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 14. The public is welcome to attend. To join, visit https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/98701703819…

HealthWest will continue its virtual board meetings through April. All board meetings begin at 8 a.m. The public is welcome to attend. Below is the schedule and participation info for…

HealthWest will be hosting a virtual full board meeting beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, March 26. The public is welcome to attend. To attend, visit https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/91963645230   Or call…

HealthWest will host a virtual finance committee meeting at 8 a.m., Friday, March 19. The public is welcome to attend. To join, visit: https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/98701703819 Or call (312) 626-6799, 98701703819# Full…

HealthWest will host a virtual board meeting at 8 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 26. The meeting is open to the public.   To join, visit https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/91963645230   Or iPhone one-tap…

HealthWest will host a virtual finance committee meeting at 8 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 19. The public is welcome to attend. To join, visit https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/98701703819 Or by phone: (312) 626-6799,…

HealthWest will host a virtual Program/Personnel/Recipient Rights committee at 8 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 12. The public is welcome to attend. Meeting schedules and agendas can be found at https://healthwest.net/about-us/healthwest-board-agendas-minutes/….

HealthWest will host a virtual board meeting Friday, Jan. 22, beginning at 8 a.m. The public is welcome to attend.   To join, visit: https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/91963645230 Or call:  (301) 715-8592, meeting ID…

HealthWest will host a virtual finance committee meeting at 8 a.m., Friday, Jan. 15. The public is welcome to attend.   To join, visit https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/98701703819   Or by phone: (312)…

The public is invited to join at 8 a.m. Friday, Jan. 8, for a special meeting of the Program/Personnel Committee. To join, visit: https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/92718779426 Or call: 312-626-6799, meeting ID 92718779426

HealthWest will host a virtual board meeting at 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 18. The public is welcomed to attend.   To join, visit: https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/91963645230   Or call: (301) 715-8592, meeting…

HealthWest will be hosting a virtual finance committee meeting at 8 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 11. The meeting is open to the public. To join, visit: https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/98701703819 Or by phone:…

HealthWest will host virtual Program/Personnel/Rights Committee meetings at 8 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 4. The public is welcome to attend.   Join Zoom Meeting https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/92718779426   or call 929-205-6099 Meeting…

HealthWest will host a virtual full board meeting at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20. The public is welcome to attend. To join, visit:   https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/91963645230   By phone: (301) 715-8592,…

HealthWest will hold a virtual Finance Committee meeting at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13. The public is welcome to attend. To join:   Click: https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/98701703819 Or call by phone: (312)…

***Update: Our systems are back up and running. Thank you for your patience. *** We are experiencing some technical difficulties today, Wednesday, Oct. 28, at HealthWest, which may cause some…

The number of COVID-19 infections is on the rise in Muskegon County.   HealthWest is continuously monitoring this infection data and is using this information to implement policies and procedures…

HealthWest will be hosting a virtual full board meeting beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 23. The public is welcome to attend.   To join the meeting, visit: https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/99522450173…

Join HealthWest at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16, for a virtual finance committee meeting. The meeting starts at 8 a.m. and is open to the public.   Join via Zoom: …

COVID-19 has taken a toll on our community.   We’ve lost dozens of our friends, family members, and neighbors, and our economy strained under the changes necessary to fight the…

LANSING – Following the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ September 29, 2020 announcement that it will be pausing the comprehensive system change for behavioral health in Michigan, the Community…

HealthWest will host a virtual program/personnel/recipient right committee at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9. The meetings are open to the public.   To participate, visit:   https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/98717606389   Or iPhone…

HealthWest will host a Full Board meeting beginning at 8 a.m., Friday, Sept. 18. The meetings are open to the public.   To participate, visit:   https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/93641163350?pwd=M2RaVnY4TEduK1ppSm9lWVF6dmRpZz09   Meeting ID:…

The HealthWest Board of Directors will hold their Annual Public Meeting on Friday, August 28, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the meeting will take place virtually…

HealthWest will host a finance committee meeting beginning at 8 a.m., Friday, Aug. 21. The meetings are open to the public.   Participants can join via Zoom at https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/93815220273?pwd=bFgwdVZoQ20ydlJRMWZuS2dMemY2Zz09 To…

The health and safety of ReCon participants and presenters is of the utmost importance. That’s why, due to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak, ReCon 2020 will be moving virtual in 2020!…

MUSKEGON, MI — The expansion of the federal Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic program will allow HealthWest to increase access to behavioral and physical health services to Muskegon County residents….

HealthWest will host program, personnel, and recipient rights committee meetings beginning at 8 a.m., Friday, Aug. 14. The meetings are open to the public.   Participants can join via Zoom…

Date: Tuesday, August 11 Time: 5-6:30pm Hosts/Facilitators: Marianne Huff, LMSW, President & CEO, MHAM Allen Jansen, Senior Deputy Director, BHDDA Lisa Grost, Public Policy Analyst, BHDDA   The Michigan Department of Health and Human…

HealthWest staff will test all residents and staff of Muskegon County adult foster cares, group homes, and similar congregate living facilities for COVID-19.   Testing will begin Monday, July 13,…

The general public is invited to join the HealthWest Board Finance committee at 8 a.m. on Friday, 17, and a special meeting of the Program/Personnel Committee following at 8:45 am….

On Friday, June 26, during its regular board meeting, the HealthWest board passed a resolution declaring racism and social inequities a public health crisis. A copy of the resolution text…

The HealthWest full board will meet at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 26. The meeting is open to the public. You can join by visiting: https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/93601359250   Or you can…

The HealthWest finance committee will be meeting at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 19, via Zoom. This meeting is open to the public.   To join, visit: https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/91614798103 Or call 929-205-6099…

The HealthWest board will be meeting at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 12, via Zoom. This meeting is open to the public.   To join, visit: https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/93338266165 Or call 929-205-6099…

Multiple community organizations are teaming up to get masks to Muskegon County residents in need and emphasize the continued need for residents to take protective measures to help limit the…

The HealthWest finance committee will be meeting at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 15, via Zoom. This meeting is open to the public.   To join, visit: https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/93273265522 Or call…

Muskegon County’s congregate living facilities have received a boost in their fight against COVID-19 thanks to a unique partnership between HealthWest, Public Health – Muskegon County, and Mercy Health.  …

The HealthWest finance committee will be meeting Friday, April 17, via Zoom. This meeting is open to the public.   To join, visit: https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/221878825   Or call 929-205-6099 and enter…

Congress continues to deliberate continued aid towards the COVID-19 pandemic, talks have been underway regarding a stimulus 4 aid package. Through the National Council and their members, we are requesting…

  More than 100 organizations, businesses, non-profits, schools, and local governments have banded together to fight the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in Muskegon County.   Together, the group has launched its…

24-Hour Mental Health Crisis Line: 231-722-HELP (4357)     HealthWest will begin hosting free daily virtual groups to help individuals stay connected and healthy during the governor’s stay-at-home order.  …

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the meeting of the Full Board scheduled for March 27th will be meeting via video conference at https://healthwest.zoom.us/j/193578957 or via phone at (929) 205-6099 using…

HealthWest annually serves nearly 8,000 Muskegon County residents who have severe mental health issues, developmental disabilities, or substance use disorders. Our staff is working hard to continue providing these necessary…

Call before visiting HealthWest: Call 231-724-1111 24-Hour Mental Health Crisis Line: 231-722-HELP (4357) For Ongoing Updates: www.HealthWest.net/CoronavirusResponse     HealthWest is changing the way it operates to continue to safely…

HealthWest is dedicated to providing essential behavioral health and substance use services to our community.   However, during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the delivery of those services will change as…

LANSING, Mich. (*updated 3/16/20) — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-7 clarifying the restrictions on entry into care facilities and juvenile justice facilities she issued in Executive Order…

HealthWest is working to assist individuals affected by the announced closure of Muskegon Family Care by helping connect them to mental health or substance use services in Muskegon County.  …

  WHAT: ReCon Veteran Resilience Conference WHEN:  8 a.m. (7:30 a.m. registration) – 5 p.m., Thursday, May 28, 2020 WHERE: Frauenthal Center in Downtown Muskegon COST: General Admission – Free;…

Several weeks ago, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon spoke to legislators about the MDHHS vision for the future of the state’s public behavioral health…

MUSKEGON, MI – A new addiction recovery program will help Muskegon County teens battling self-destructive behaviors such as smoking, drinking, fighting, and drug use develop skills to overcome these behaviors…

This afternoon both the House and Senate adopted the conference committee report for SB 139, the FY20 budget bill for the MI Department of Health & Human Services.  The chambers…

Information distributed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services regarding its proposal to terminate its contract with the Lakeshore Regional Entity (LRE) is one-sided and is unsupported by…

The state (MDHHS) once again proposed a plan to (1) terminate the PIHP contract that it holds with the LRE as of 9/30/2019, (2) replace the publicly appointed and locally…

State of Michigan Issues Proposal to Terminate Contract with the Lakeshore Regional Entity The proposal would eliminate local control of the public mental health system   On Friday, June 28, the…

HealthWest offices will close Thursday, May 16, at 2 p.m. for staff in-service. Our offices will reopen at 8 a.m. Friday morning. We apologize for any inconvenience.

This morning, HealthWest leadership presented the 2018 Annual Report.  Click here to read all about our work in the community.

Join us Friday, April 26, to learn about HealthWest’s accomplishments in 2018 and what we’re doing to overcome challenges moving forward. Tours will be available for those interested in seeing…

The summary report predicts homelessness, poverty, increased incarceration and deaths   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 29, 2019 The Community Mental Health Association of Michigan (CMHAM) today released a new analysis,…

Proposed changes to the Muskegon Area Transit System would change bus service to multiple HealthWest facilities. MATS is proposing to eliminate Route 20-Apple 1 and Route 45-Peck Sanford in an…

***ATTENTION *** All HealthWest services including Clubhouse, the Integrated Health Clinic, and Pharmacy will remain closed tomorrow, January 31, due to weather.  We encourage everyone to stay warm.  Please know…

Senator Debbie Stabenow today announced that four Michigan community mental health centers have been selected as the state’s first-ever Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. The four clinics are Kalamazoo Community…

A STATEMENT FROM HEALTHWEST: “A parent and family’s impact on a child is never greater than during the early years of life. The body of evidence surrounding childhood trauma and…

Financial integration with the Medicaid Health Plans slated to begin October 1, 2018   The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently announced the three pilot sites selected…

HealthWest’s annual report for 2017 is now available.  Please download to see the accomplishments we had in collaboration, service delivery, substance use services, integrated health, wellness and more.   Click…

There are changes in State and Federal rules that might affect services.  Arc Muskegon along with several organizations that provide services are working to keep you informed about these changes.  These changes can…

The Lakeshore Regional Entity Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2017-2018 operating budget for the Agency. The Hearing will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2017…

When the Henry Ford Health System decided to focus on combating suicide they developed a model that surpassed all expectations.   THE SUICIDE SAFE CARE MODEL; Aiming for Zero Suicides…

Are you receiving services for a developmental or intellectual disability?  Do you provide services or care to some who may have a developmental or intellectual disability?   There are changes…

REQUEST FOR URGENT ACTION: Please contact your House and Senate members urging them to make sensible changes to the final 298 boilerplate language.  Timing is critical, we have roughly three…

As you know, this week the House DHHS subcommittees released their FY18 budget recommendations. While the House language calls for 1 statewide behavioral health entity their language does contain many…

As you know, this week the Senate DHHS subcommittees released their FY18 budget recommendations. While this is the first step of the process, we have significant concerns with the Senate’s…

As you may be aware, Congressional efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act are on a fast track, included in these discussions are significant changes to Medicaid reimbursements to states as…

The Muskegon Recovery Center, located at 1611 Oak Avenue, is now open providing Medication Assisted Methadone Treatment for qualified individuals who are struggling with Opiate addiction.   Hours of Operation Mon…

The January 2017 Resilience Month Community Calendar is a growing list of events. The African American Men’s Health Fair is Saturday at Muskegon High School from 9:00am-1:00pm. Check out that…

Please join HealthWest Director Julia Rupp as she discusses where we have been and where we are headed. We look forward to seeing you at our annual public meeting. Tuesday…

Trauma, trauma informed care, resilience, the first 48 hours after a traumatic event in a school, and suicide prevention with youth are just a few of the topics that will…

During this week, Suicide Awareness Week, we are inviting everyone to join us for our annual Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Walk.  It begins tonight at 5:30pm at the round-about near…

Dr. Lori and Nicole Bray Return To Muskegon Transgender 101 August 24, 2016 8:30am-12:30pm The Folkert Community Hub 640 Seminole Muskegon, MI 49444   Often there is confusion about what…

A HealthWest Lunch Time Learning Event DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING CULTURE  Presented by Jeanette Johnson, Sandy Faulkner and Nancy Cluley of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services of Grand…

Join us Thursday, August 18 from noon-2:30 at Hackley Park to celebrate HEALTH, WELLNESS & RECOVERY! Visit https://healthwest.net/integrated-health/health-wellness-recovery/ to learn more.

Recently HealthWest Director Julia Rupp held a Community Informational Meeting about upcoming changes to I/DD Services. Visit here to learn more: https://healthwest.net/community-resources/budget-updates-and-information/    

HealthWest is accepting applications for a Lakeshore Regional Entity At Large Board of Directors member.  The criteria is as follows: AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Following is a list of areas of professional…

Please join us Thursday, Feb. 25th from 6:00-8:30 at the Block (360 W. Western Ave. 2nd floor.) This is a special screening of the documentary Paper Tigers highlighting one school’s…

The Muskegon Intermediate School District is again offering Mental Health First Aid classes in 2016.  These classes are offered free of charge and each participant receives a $10 gift card. …

Read this NPR article to find out: http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/11/02/452658644/what-happens-if-you-try-to-prevent-every-single-suicide

The Suicide Prevention Coalition recently partnered with the Mental Health Foundation, Survivors of Suicide and local schools (Ravenna, Mona Shores and Montague) to show a film that addresses the topic…

MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI — A $400,000 gift from four local businesses to the Muskegon Area Promise effort means eligible students who graduated in June will be offered free college scholarships….

  QPR-Become an instructor!   QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer, three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide.   Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response…

The HealthWest Board of Directors will be holding an educational work session on Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Readiness on Monday, July 6th, 2015 at 5:30pm.  This will be…

No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained…

SAMHSA awarded a grant for Recovery Coach Training (SUD) region wide. Click here to check out the flyer: Recovery Coach Academy Flyer

This 42-minute documentary can be streamed from the Raising of America site.  “Wounded Places” details the effects of childhood trauma on later life and shows how healing can take place…

What is Person-Centered-Planning & Why Is It So Important?   The Arc Muskegon invites families to learn more about this very important process known as Person-Centered-Planning and important elements of…

Upcoming meeting for consumers, guardians, and families.  Please click here for a letter to Consumers, Families, and Guardians of those affected by the recent budget crisis: Letter from Julia Rupp…

For Immediate Release- March 26, 2015   HealthWest (Formerly Muskegon CMH) is currently experiencing an unprecedented budget crisis.   The Lakeshore Regional Partners (LRP) is the Medicaid Health plan for…

By Mike Vizena   In 1987, President Ronald Reagan declared March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to increase public awareness of both the needs and the potential of Americans with…

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, has recorded a video message calling for a more open discussion on mental health issues facing children and young people. The video was recorded…

Join us as we celebrate our new name, new look, and help to share our new story. Our open house will be held Wednesday, March 25th from 3:30-5:30 with our…

Famous singer Demi Lovato has struggled with behavioral health challenges and is openly advocating for mental health awareness. Watch this YouTube video of her speech at the NAMI (National Alliance of Mental…

Childhood trauma isn’t something you just get over as you grow up. Pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris explains that the repeated stress of abuse, neglect and parents struggling with mental health…