Several speakers at Oakland County’s public-comment period urged the Board of Commissioners to pause or convene a public process before Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) shifts crisis services away from the longtime provider Common Ground.

Volunteers and staff from Common Ground described decades of experience running crisis hotlines and stabilization services and warned that an immediate transition could disrupt care for people in crisis. "Common Ground has the expertise and the ability to deliver services to everybody who is needing mental help in Oakland County," said Kaye White, a Bloomfield Township resident and long-time volunteer. Janet Sarkos, a Common Ground speaker, said the organization participates in extensive annual audits and reported a fiscal-year 2024 average audit score of 95% and low complaint rates.

Several commenters and speakers asked the board to wait until the state completes an MDHHS rebid of prepaid inpatient health plans (PIHP) before making local changes. "Please pause until we know who those leadership is going to be," said Vicky Krigner, arguing that if OCHN becomes the PIHP it may face restrictions about being a core provider of services.

Fred Feshheimer and other local providers warned that OCHN staff could be overwhelmed if it takes on large new provider responsibilities while setting up programs for multiple counties. Art Ingram and David Newhouse, Common Ground employees, described continuity-of-care and client-trust benefits that come from long-term staff relationships.

Tricia Zizumbo, chief operating officer of OCHN, told the board the organization is contracted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to provide crisis services and that "it is not our goal to take over Common Ground. It is our goal to improve and enhance our countywide crisis services for all of our individuals served." Zizumbo said the transition aims to increase oversight and fiscal accountability and invited commissioners to ask questions and receive further presentations from OCHN.

Commissioners in the meeting urged convening stakeholders and noted the broader fiscal and structural pressures on the mental-health system, including state-level funding changes. Commissioner Cavell recommended the Lago committee consider an open forum to review the situation. Several commenters also recommended increased funding and oversight for county mental-health services.

No formal board action to direct or pause OCHN was taken at the meeting; public commenters asked the board and relevant committees to convene further hearings or studies.