For decades, OnPoint has been at the forefront of addressing the region’s mental health and housing needs, blending expertise with compassion to support some of the county’s most vulnerable residents.
Laura Furey remembers first walking through the doors of OnPoint, then known as Allegan County Community Mental Health, in June 1993. Fresh out of college with degrees in psychology and sociology, she had landed her first professional role as on-call direct care staff for the adult day program.
Furey and colleague Todd Rockhill have contributed to OnPoint’s commitment to meeting the needs of Allegan County’s most vulnerable residents by offering person-centered care that improves lives.
Furey oversees services for those with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities, while Rockhill advocates for clients facing housing and substance use challenges.
“Laura and Todd are great examples of the quality of staff we have at OnPoint,” says Mark Witte, executive director of OnPoint. “Their skills are top notch and their hearts are 100% focused on caring for the people we serve.”
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Courtesy Mark WitteMark Witte, executive director of OnPoint.
Watching the agency evolve
Furey has grown alongside the agency, moving from direct care to case management and eventually to her current position as adult community-based services supervisor.
“I’ve been here for a very long time, so I’ve seen a lot of changes,” Furey says. “When I started, the agency was divided into programs like a workshop setting, a day program, and independent living support. I began in the day program, doing hands-on work, and later moved into case management, where I got to see clients five days a week.”
Her current responsibilities include overseeing case managers who support individuals with serious mental illnesses and developmental disabilities. She also works with a peer support specialist who doubles as a recovery coach, and manages a mix of administrative and operational tasks.
“I set the agenda for weekly staff meetings, handle case consultations, assign cases, and review referrals,” she says. “Some days, I visit clients or complete assessments and treatment plans.”
She makes sure the agency is meeting the state and regional compliance standards by reviewing files, preparing responses, and handling any needed corrections as part of the audit process.
While administrative demands take up a lot of her time, Furey remains connected to those she serves.
“I love the people I work with,” says Furey.
She has watched a shift in the approach to mental health care. Early in her career, services were standardized, with little room for individual preference.
“Back then, all the homes had the same menu. There was little individual preference involved,” she says. “Now, everything is individualized. It’s a much more personalized approach.”
Expanding his focus
Joining OnPoint was a natural progression for Rockhill, whose career has focused on advocacy and support. He began in housing services, working with individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their housing. He discovered the deeper challenges his clients faced, leading him to transition into mental health services.
“Mental illness and substance use were a big part of the work,” Rockhill says. “Helping people who were chronically homeless and had disabilities, like serious mental illness or substance use disorders, showed me the barriers they face to getting and maintaining housing.”
Rockhill currently serves as an adult case manager at OnPoint, supporting clients with serious mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders. He has earned certifications as a qualified intellectual disability professional and qualified mental health professional and is pursuing certification as a certified alcohol and drug counselor .
“I love connecting with people,” Rockhill says. “I believe in meeting people where they’re at. Advocating for their dignity and helping them access resources is deeply important to me.”
He helps people navigate the challenges of rural life, where access to resources can be limited. Affordable housing is one of the most significant hurdles, compounded by the scarcity of community living supports.
“People might be surprised to know that a resource can be available, but getting someone to provide it is difficult,” Rockhill says. “Housing availability is another huge issue. Affordable and even general housing is scarce here.”
Adjusting to community needs
On Point has expanded its services to meet the evolving needs of the community. One of Michigan’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, the organization provides a broader range of services, including substance use support and care for intellectual disabilities.
Witte, the executive director, says that the work done at the agency, at 540 Jenner Drive in Allegan, by a dedicated team of professionals can go unnoticed by the public. But the agency’s services can be a lifeline to the county's most vulnerable residents.
"There's a diversity of roles here,” Witte says. “When people understand the breadth of what we do, it not only raises awareness but also opens doors to new career paths and introduces the community to what happens behind the scenes.”
Over the decades, the organization has adapted to the evolving needs of the rural county.
“We’re now able to do more in-house services, like substance use support,” Furey explains. “It makes a big difference for people who couldn’t easily access help before.”
Rockhill adds, “We offer services that other agencies don’t. Thanks to our (Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic) grant, we provide support to anyone who needs it so they can access the resources they need to live their best lives.”
For Furey and Rockhill, compassion and perseverance are key to the work they do, whether it be navigating the complexities of audits, advocating for clients’ housing needs, or providing direct support.
“I love what I do,” Furey says. “The evolution of care and the ability to truly make a difference in people’s lives make it all worthwhile.”