Conflict Resolution Services Offers Mediation Services to Local Individuals with Disputes with Community Mental Health

Conflict Resolution Services (CRS) now offers local mediation services to resolve disputes related to behavioral health services provided by Community Mental Health Services Programs (CMHSP) and their contract providers. CRS has been subcontracted for services by Oakland Mediation Center who is the fiduciary of the grant.

MDHHS Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Administration and MDHHS Office of Recipient Rights have partnered with community and advocacy partners across the state of Michigan to ensure that all people receiving publicly funded behavioral health services in Michigan have access to an independent mediation process to resolve concerns about their services and treatment. CRS has been subcontracted for services by Oakland Mediation Center who is the fiduciary of the grant. CRS, based in Traverse City, will be providing services to Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Missaukee, and Wexford Counties.

“The use of mediation has a proven record of successful outcomes in resolving disputes and allows the patient to be an active participant,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “It is exciting that we are able to provide mediation services to resolve complex behavioral health treatment needs in a meaningful way by bringing all parties to the table.”

All CRS volunteer mediators have a minimum of 40 hours of state training on mediation. Volunteer mediators for this program have completed an additional 6 hours of training specifically focused on behavioral health mediation.

Currently, the CMHSP system serves more than 230,000 Michigan residents and the CMHSP Customer Services and Recipient Rights Departments receive a variety of inquiries and questions related to treatment planning and behavioral health services.

CRS is one of 17 Community Dispute Resolution Centers in Michigan. The organization was formed in 1990 to promote peace and civility in the local community. Today the organization provides low- and no-cost mediation services to hundreds of individuals each year through state-trained volunteer mediators .

Clients of Community Mental Health can request a mediation by calling 1-844-3-MEDIATE or emailing at behavioralhealth@mediation-omc.org.