A Brief BABH History

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1963

The Federal Mental Health Centers Act was passed by Congress. In February of that year, the State of Michigan enacted Public Act 54 to provide a legal basis for establishing local community mental health services; this provided community based services to support de-institutionalization policy initiatives.

September 10, 1963

The inaugural Bay County Community Mental Health Board of Directors was appointed, becoming one of the first county mental health programs organized in Michigan.

1965

The Department of Mental Health was established under Public Act 380 of 1965 - enabling legislation. All that was necessary was for the local Board of Commission to pass a resolution establishing this body (Bay-Arenac CMH), then it was created in law. Commissioners could have opted not to establish a CMH Board.

BABH consisted of a small mental health clinic located in the Mercy Hospital Building, serving adults residing in Arenac and Bay counties.

1971

Formed a multi-county board with Arenac county.

1974

Enrolled as an outpatient Medicaid provider.

May 24, 1976

The Mental Health Center federal grant was approved, enabling construction of a comprehensive mental health center. A lease between BACMH and Bay Medical Center was signed January 17, 1977, in which BACMH leased the Mental Health Center building at 201 Mulholland.

1986

Enrolled as a specialty Medicaid mental health rehabilitation provider.

March 27, 1996

The Mental Health Code was revised and enacted into Public Act 290 with one of the significant provisions being the requirement to include consumers to the Board of Directors (primary consumers or families/guardians of consumers).

1998

Entered into a pre-paid capitation arrangement.

2002

BABH awarded Authority, Coordinating Agency and PIHP (Pre-Paid Inpatient Hospital Program) status.

2003

Community mental health services celebrated its 40th anniversary.

2007

The Outpatient Clinic at the Behavioral Health Center on Mulholland in Bay City was named the William B. Cammin, Ph.D., Clinic honoring the first CEO for his 36 years of dedicated service.

2007

BABH completed a year-long remodeling project and moved five of its service programs into a 12,144 sq. ft. building at 1010 N. Madison in downtown Bay City.

2009

Arenac Center's Rural Health Care Coordination Pilot Program receives the Trailblazer Award from the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC).
The MDDC is a 21 member group appointed by the Michigan governor and empowered by Federal law to advocate for people with developmental disabilities.

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