The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area (CFHZ) has awarded $145,000 in grants to local nonprofits in an effort to increase availability of mental health resources, particularly for individuals facing significant barriers to care.
According to the Ottawa County Community Health Needs Assessment, 34.5% of Ottawa County adults have mild to severe psychological distress, almost twice the rate in 2020 (19.8%). Among Ottawa County youth, 31.4% report having depression, and this rate has been steadily increasing since 2011.
“The growing number of community members experiencing mental health challenges, and the volume of data showing a critical shortage of care providers prompted the Foundation to make this a priority area,” says Yadah V. Ramirez, director of community impact at CFHZ. “We believe these grants will create meaningful progress in making care more accessible.”
As demand for mental health care services increase, a shortage of providers has created long wait lists and limited timely access to services, particularly for individuals from low-income households, those who are uninsured or underinsured, and non-English speaking individuals. Organizations that provide low- to no-cost services to these populations are competing with private practices as they attempt to attract and retain clinicians.
Local mental health care organizations have implemented innovative ideas and best practices to help meet the need. CFHZ committed $145,000 in grants to support these nonprofits as they increase access to and availability of mental health services, particularly for individuals affected by the current lack of care providers.
Beacon of Hope
Open the Gates Program
$60,000 over two years to help Beacon of Hope address mental health service delays – often averaging 6-12 weeks – by expanding its counseling internship program.
The organization will hire a full-time clinical supervisor to oversee up to 12 interns, potentially adding 5,050 counseling sessions annually and serving 350 clients.
This model delivers $850,000 in counseling services yearly at a cost of $65,000, equating to just $190 per client for up to 15 sessions. Partnerships with institutions like Aquinas College ensure sustainability, training new counselors and creating a pipeline to the local workforce.
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Courtesy CFHZAKyle Thompson, Beacon of Hope executive director.
“People in need cannot wait long to receive competent care that is affordable,” says Kyle L. Thompson, Beacon of Hope executive director. “One of our most impactful testimonies came from a child we serve. This little boy simply said, ‘My mom says I am doing much better since I started counseling, and she is thankful we do not have to pay for it because she is not sure how we would do that.’ This grant has contributed to that boy's story and many more similar to his to come.”
City on a Hill Ministries Health Clinic
Behavioral Health Integration Expansion
$55,000 over two years to help deliver comprehensive mental health care for individuals from low-income households, including those who are uninsured or underinsured.
For 18 years, City on a Hill Health Clinic has delivered free health care for Ottawa and Allegan County residents. The clinic has seen a 40% rise in mental health patients since 2016, with depression and anxiety among the top diagnoses. Most clients earn at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
In response to this growing demand, the clinic plans to hire two full-time licensed social workers, including Spanish-speaking counselors, a part-time case manager, and expand its internship program from five to eight students. Facility upgrades and outreach initiatives will further increase access to services.
This is the second time CFHZ has invested in the clinic’s behavioral health integration program. An initial grant in 2022 helped expand counselor hours, growing from 29 to 82 clients served.
“Receiving this grant for mental health services will be transformative, allowing us to expand access to care, provide vital resources, and bring hope to individuals and families in our community,” says Christine Plummer, clinic director. “This investment in mental health will ripple through the lives we touch, fostering healing, resilience, and a brighter future for all."
Community Mental Health of Ottawa County
Crisis Intervention Team Expansion
$30,000 to help Community Mental Health of Ottawa County (CMHOC) expand its Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program.
The Crisis Intervention Team has trained more than 100 first responders since its 2021 launch to address mental health crises by recognizing behavioral health conditions, de-escalating behavioral health crises, and connecting individuals and families to community services and support. The program pairs master’s-level clinicians with law enforcement to respond to behavioral health-related 911 calls, averaging 78 co-responses monthly.
Currently, clinicians must ride with officers, limiting geographic coverage. The expansion will secure vehicles for clinicians to respond independently. The grant will fund a vehicle for southern Ottawa County. That part of the county sees 8,500-12,800 911 calls each year that are appropriate for clinician intervention due to mental health concerns, which often overlap with homelessness, disturbing the peace, and substance-use-related calls.
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Courtesy CFHZATim Piers, Ottawa County Crisis Intervention Team supervisor.
CIT has significantly reduced arrests, emergency department visits, and injuries – less than 1% of contacts result in harm to any party. Statistics show that CIT reduces the burden on the criminal justice system and emergency departments, keeps first responders and community members safer, and results in more referrals to appropriate treatment and services.
“The Crisis Intervention Team program has shown great success in providing direct, safe, and compassionate care to those in crisis, linking them to the treatment and
services they need,” says Tim Piers, CIT supervisor. “With the support of CFHZ and our partner agencies, we are expanding to make this critical service available countywide."