L'ANSE, MI (AP)— Baraga County Memorial Hospital and the Baraga County Sheriff's Office are collaborating to address behavioral health crises in the area.
They have announced the launch of a co-responder model called Virtual Crisis Care. The program is delivered by Avel eCare, a nationwide telemedicine provider. It will give law enforcement officers on-demand access to behavioral health professionals who can assess those having a mental health crisis and make informed recommendations for managing the situation.
Support for the program comes from the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation and the Michigan Health Endowment Fund.
"Programs such as these – which provide citizen-focused, upstream behavioral health interventions – help reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and strengthen the fabric of community mental health," said Rob Stowe, CEO of Baraga County Memorial Hospital. "Avel eCare is a true partner in care for our hospital, and the impact this program will have both on our team and the entire community will be significant. This effort wouldn't be possible without the leadership of Sheriff Joe Brogan pulling our local law enforcement agencies together and of course the funding support of Copper Shores and the Michigan Health Endowment Fund."
Other agencies planning to participate are the Keweenaw Bay Tribal Police Department, the Village of L'Anse Police Department, the Village of Baraga Police Department, and Michigan State Police from the Calumet Post.
