New Admin Office and Name Change to Strengthen OCCMHA Delivery System

In May of 2017, Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA) is officially being renamed Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN), and is utilizing the tagline: developmental disabilities, mental health, and substance recovery in its updated logo design. Additionally, in late summer, OCCMHA is moving from its current location in Auburn Hills, to the office building it recently acquired at 5505 Corporate Dr. in Troy, near the I-75 and Crooks exit.

“The people we serve, and our commitment to promote and protect the future of Oakland County’s public mental health system, are at the focal point of this updated image and decision to move,” says OCCMHA Executive Director and CEO, Willie Brooks about the recent announcement. “Change is necessary for progress and success.”

The name change is inspired by ongoing concerns that the agency’s previous name did not accurately identify what services are available to Oakland County residents.

“In our ongoing self-assessment of how to better meet the needs of Oakland County citizens, community awareness about the services we offer was identified as an area in need of improvement,” adds Brooks. “The fact that mental health was the only service included in our name, and both developmental disabilities and substance misuse were excluded, left people confused about who we assist and what we do.”

Another noticeable addition to the agency’s name is the word “network.” This change was made to better describe OCCMHA’s operating infrastructure, which includes contract relations with more than 30 healthcare organizations and approximately 300 service sites across the county.

OCCMHA’s current network of service providers include: Common Ground, Community Housing Network, Community Living Services, Community Network Services, Easterseals Michigan, Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, Oakland Family Services, Inc., and Training and Treatment Innovations. A complete list of substance use service providers is available on OCCMHA’s website at www.occmha.org.

The relocation of OCCMHA’s administrative office is taking place in part to address space challenges resulting from transitions in service delivery protocols. Over the past two years, OCCMHA assumed several delegated functions from its contracted service network. These functions include Non-Emergency Access, Jail Diversion, Substance Use Disorders, Utilization Management, and Utilization Review. Essentially, the Auburn Hills administrative office no longer accommodates OCCMHA’s staff.

“Many of the developments implemented are the direct result of requests made by the State to reduce layers of administration and increase funding for services to individuals,” adds Brooks. “When you are pointed in a new direction, it’s always important to look for opportunities that enable people to do their job even better. The move to the Troy facility is a perfect example of how a new direction can lead to other, unexpected benefits for people.”

Unlike the current location, there is enough room in the Troy building for OCCMHA to invite other important community resource entities to lease office and hoteling space. These resources, which are described by those receiving public mental health services as their top concerns, include education, employment, housing, and transportation.

“Our primary goal in purchasing the Troy location is to create a community hub of service excellence that sets the benchmark for public mental health services in Oakland County and throughout Michigan,” says Brooks. “There should be no confusion about where people can go for assistance to reach their life goals and aspirations.”

The Troy location also allows for OCCMHA to utilize space for valuable network trainings. In recent years, the agency has frequently been forced to rent venues to host and facilitate state mandated and other network training events.

More information about OCCMHA’s name change and relocation will be communicated to the community through a variety of strategies. Information is also available on the agency’s website at www.occmha.org or by contacting Customer Services at (800) 341-2003.