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GHS SENIOR STAFF BACK (L-R): KATIE BAXTER, SR. DIR. CLINCIAL SERVICES; JEAN TROOP, EXEC. DIR. GENESEE COMM. HEALTH CENTER; DEXTER CLARKE, DIR. OF FAITH BASED & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES; GLEN CHIPMAN, CFO; RENEE KESWICK, DIR. OF COMMUNICATION & P.R.; KARRY STEELE, SR. DIR. BUSINESS OPERATIONS; JENNIFER MCCARTY, SR. DIR. CLINICAL PERFORMANCE & INNOVATION. FRONT (L-R): SHAWN EDWARDS, SR. DIR. ENGAGEMENT, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION; DR. ANTHONY ELLIS, CMO; DANIS RUSSELL, CEO; SHEILA MASON, DIR. OF HUMAN RESOURCES.

disabilities, emotionally struggling children and those battling with substance abuse.” GHS offers community based behavioral healthcare and is funded by Medicaid, Medicare, state and federal programs, private insurance and self-pay. “We care for any individual regardless of ability to pay,” adds Russell. Located at 420 W. 5th Ave. in Downtown Flint, GHS provides care for all of Genesee County. The nearly 500-member staff includes psychiatric professionals, nurse practitioners, social workers, counselors, case managers and support staff. In addition to mental health support, GHS offers primary care services. “We are quite unique in that respect,” says Russell. “The majority of community mental health centers in cities throughout the U.S. do not offer primary care. We understand that physical and mental health

are interconnected. We are concerned with the physical and mental health of everybody.” Last year, GHS provided mental health support for approximately 12,000 individuals and primary care for another 5,000. “Really, since the water crisis, we have seen a tremendous uptick in need, especially in children,” states Russell. “Even today, that number continues to grow.” In response to increasing demand, GHS, in collaboration with Children’s Health Fund, launched a mobile mental health clinic in 2017 (in the form of an equipped RV) to bring service to those in need who are without transportation.This new mobile mental health unit joined a medical mobile unit that GHS’ Genesee Community Health Center began in 2016 with a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield. The mobile health clinics are made available at schools, community events, neighborhood centers and

other places where residents gather. Today, the mobile clinics have aided the fight with COVID-19 by offering mental health assistance, testing and vaccinations, in addition to continuing their other functions. The programs at GHS also include virtual urgent care and mental health services, psychiatric and physical health screenings, professional training, consultations and crisis intervention (the GHS Crisis Hotline is available 24/7/365 at 810.257.3740). Perhaps nothing illustrates the wide range of GHS services better than their Baby Court program. With this specialized court docket, parents and their children are offered individualized support and mental health service to help strengthen and stabilize the family. In the program, parents receive child training, coaching, education, mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment. t

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