ALPENA — Alpena City Fire Department, Alpena City Police Department, Alpena County Sheriff’s Department, and Catholic Human Services, INC announced a new initiative to integrate recovery support staff into emergency services, in a news release Tuesday.

“I do think this will be a positive step toward getting quicker assistance to those in need with substance abuse and mental health issues,” said Alpena City Fire Chief Rob Edmonds in a statement. “For (Emergency Medical Services), these are rising problems in our community and resources for quick action are greatly needed.”

Catholic Human Services, INC has been awarded $302,416 over two years from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund Behavioral Health Initiative Grant to work with Alpena and Alpena County public safety to integrate a recovery support staff role into the emergency response process for Alpena County. This new role will be housed in the Alpena Public Safety Facility and accompany police, paramedics, and other first responders to situations involving substance use and/or behavioral health needs, according to the release.

Information on this year’s statewide Behavioral Health Initiative grants can be found at mihealthfund.org/sept2024-bh-nhl-grants. The Michigan Health Endowment Fund works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of healthcare, with a special focus on children and seniors. More information about the Health Fund can be found at mhealthfund.com.

The Alpena News newsroom can be reached at 989-354-3111 ext. 617 or newsroom@thealpenanews.com.