Agency receives check

Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County executive director Liz O’Dell said the agency last week received a check for more than $200,000 from her counterpart in Oakland County.

O’Dell told board members during their monthly meeting Tuesday that the $211,000 will help cover spin-down costs, which are incurred when the agency fronts deductible or co-pay costs for its Medicaid clients unable to meet the expense.

O’Dell said Oakland County received the funds as reimbursement from another organization. Because the money arrived after its previous fiscal year ended, Oakland County’s CMH had the option of sending it to Lansing or dispersing it to other agencies.

O’Dell said she has a longstanding professional relationship with Oakland County CMH Authority director Jeff Brown.