NORTHERN LAKES COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH: Gaps push people into emergency room

TRAVERSE CITY — Northern Lakes Community Mental Health’s annual public hearing drew a mix of thanks and frustration from families, advocates, and service partners who say the region’s new crisis center is promising, but struggling with growing pains, and that gaps in coordination, staffing, and communication are still pushing people into the emergency room.

Interim CEO Dr. Curtis Cummins opened Friday’s meeting by saying two finalists for the position will interview next week in Houghton Lake and that a new chief could be in place this fall. He announced Northern Lakes recently earned a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, which evaluates health and human service providers, covering a dozen programs.