Community Mental Health Millage
The Mental Health Millage helps fund local programs, strengthen services, and improve access to care for residents across the county.
Mental Health Millage Media Kit
To support informed conversations and community awareness, we’ve created a collection of downloadable media kit documents about the Mental Health Millage renewal. These resources are designed to help residents, partners, and local organizations better understand how the millage works, where funds go, and the impact it has on essential mental health services in our community.
Whether you’re a community leader, educator, advocate, or simply someone who wants to help spread accurate information, these tools are available to make communication clear, consistent, and accessible.
We encourage you to download, share, and use these materials to help educate others and foster meaningful dialogue about the importance of sustaining mental health services through the Mental Health Millage.
Millage Newspaper – Printable Version
History of the Mental Health Millage
In 2014 and 2015, Community Mental Health of Ottawa County (CMHOC) faced one of the most significant funding challenges in its history. During this period, CMHOC experienced a $2 million budget shortfall and a loss of $7 million in state funding. These cuts forced the reduction—and in some cases, the elimination—of critical services that many residents relied on.
Recognizing the urgent need to stabilize and strengthen the local behavioral health system, CMHOC and community leaders sought a long term solution. The result was the creation of the Ottawa County Mental Health Millage, approved by voters to ensure every resident has access to high quality mental health support close to home.
Millage Impact over the Years
Take a look at how millage funding has strengthened our services year after year. The impact reports and annual reports, demonstrate how sustained community investment has expanded access, improved program quality, and supported long‑term growth. From new initiatives to enhanced services, these reports highlight the measurable progress made possible through millage dollars, and the continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and community wellbeing.
Ottawa Pathways to Better Health
An investment of $300,000 in millage funding for Ottawa Pathways to Better Health helps draw over $900,000 in funding from other community partners, including the Ottawa County Department of Public Health, local hospitals, community foundations, private insurance providers, and federal and state grant funds. This program provides health related prevention and intervention services to those with two or more chronic conditions.
CMH Services for the Uninsured/ Underinsured and Community Navigation
We provide mental health services to uninsured, underinsured, or Medicaid Spenddown individuals on the waiting list for much-needed care. The Community Navigation staff assists individuals not eligible for CMHOC services to get connected to needed services in the community, assists with problem-solving, and provides brief crisis stabilization services.
Psychiatric Services at the Jail
Ottawa County Jail inmates receive psychiatric care from medical providers to improve mental health and prevent recidivism upon release.
Holland Drop In Center
CMHOC funds this peer support center, run by adults with mental illness to help others with similar challenges. It provides a safe space for sharing experiences, gaining support, and learning coping strategies. The center also offers resources like mental health education and referrals to promote recovery and overall well-being.
Senior Reach
Senior Reach® is a program designed to help Ottawa County seniors (60+) facing challenges like isolation, health issues, abuse, or mental health concerns. By providing counseling and connecting them with helpful resources, the program aims to keep seniors independent and thriving in their community.
Clubhouse Scholarship
This scholarship sponsors people who are not receiving CMH services and allows them to attend our Clubhouse Program, an organization that supports individuals with mental illness.
Housing Assistance
$2,264 of Millage funds brings in $669,279 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide housing assistance for people who are homeless and disabled. A full-time Residential Specialist is working to locate Adult Foster Care placement options.
Social Recreation Programs
Heritage Homes Social Rec Program, IKUS R.E.C. Connect, the Momentum Center, and Pioneer Resources LARC Program offer regularly scheduled activities and programs, including dance and exercise classes, bowling, movie nights, sporting events and museum visits. The programs are available for adults with disabilities who live in Ottawa County.
One-Time Millage Funding
In fiscal year 2025, one-time millage funded programs were developed to provide a wide range of services across Ottawa County through innovative community partnerships. These programs expanded access to support and strengthening care options throughout our community.
Consumer Residential Assistance Fund (CRA)
The Client Residential Assistance Fund (CRA) is a new housing assistance program available for CMHOC clients. The CRA provides limited financial support to maintain a stable housing situation, prevent homelessness, and increase accessibility and independence for individuals living in Ottawa County and receiving services through CMHOC.
Residential Infrastructure Stabilization Program
This program supports our local residential providers by providing financial assistance to cover gaps in funding to the staffing crisis and shortfalls in room and board expenses. This support has helped stabilize these programs, assuring that their residents maintain their housing.
The Mental Health Millage Timeline
2014
CMHOC was experiencing funding challenges due to Medicaid funding. Programs were reduced and some were eliminated.
2014
The Ottawa County Citizens Survey was distributed. 72% of respondents supported a Mental Health Millage ballot proposal.
2015
Formal Request sent to the Board of Comissioners to support the Mental Health Millage being placed on the March 2016 ballot.
2016
During 2016, CMHOC educated and informed the community about the millage. March 8, 2016- 59.3% voted YES in support of the millage.
2016
After the millage passed, CMHOC Leadership developed programs to be funded with millage dollars.
2016
CMHOC began to receive revenue for the millage from the winter 2017 taxes.
2017
Programming and millage funded services began.
2023
One‑time millage funds supported the Community Partner Program, which provided treatment and support for residents with mild to moderate mental health needs.
2025
CMHOC released additional one‑time millage funds to support treatment, social recreation, and other services for Ottawa County residents.
2025
CMHOC received the final payment for the Mental Health Millage in December 2025 for the winter 2026 taxes.
2026
A recent survey of 400 Ottawa County residents showed 76.3% of residents would vote Yes for the Mental Health Millage renewal and restoration proposal.
Built by the Community, for the Community
From its inception, the Mental Health Millage has focused on expanding community‑based care and strengthening the county’s ability to respond to mental health needs. Millage funding has been instrumental in:
Improving crisis response services
Expanding prevention and early intervention programs
Increasing access to treatment for residents of all ages
Supporting stability and long term recovery
These local dollars fill essential gaps not covered by state or federal funding, giving Ottawa County the flexibility to invest in innovative solutions and respond quickly to emerging challenges.
A Lasting Investment
in Ottawa County
Over the years, the millage has grown into a resource that supports the health, safety, and resilience of our community. It ensures that the most vulnerable residents—those who might otherwise fall through the cracks—receive the care, services, and supports they need.
Today, the Mental Health Millage continues to keep the Community in Community Mental Health.
See Your Personalized Estimate
Your millage cost is based on your property’s taxable value and values vary. Use the calculator to see an estimate based on your property’s taxable value.
Millage Funded Programs
Current Funded Millage Programs
Community Connection Programs
- Cherry Health Lakeside Clubhouse Scholarships
- Extended Grace at Momentum Center
- Heritage Homes Social Recreation
- Holland Drop-In Center
- IKUS R.E.C. Connect
- Michigan Rehabilitation Services
- Pathways to Better Health
- Pioneer-LARC
One Time Millage Funding
- Beacon of Hope
- City on a Hill Health Clinic
- Community Access Line of the Lakeshore
- Harmony Communities
- Mosaic Counseling
- SoBAR Recovery Community Center
- Tri-Cities Family YMCA
- Vida Counseling and Wellness
- 70×7 Life Recovery
Community Mental Health of Ottawa County-Funded Programs
- Community Navigation
- Psychiatric Services at the Jail
- Senior Reach
Previously Funded Millage Programs
Community Partner Programs
- Arbor Circle
- Beacon of Hope
- Bethany Christian Services
- City on A Hill Health Clinic
- Midtown Counseling
- Mosaic Counseling
Ottawa Community School Network
- Allendale Public Schools
- Coopersville Public Schools
- Holland Public Schools
- Hudsonville Public Schools
- Ottawa Area Intermediate School District (OAISD)
- Zeeland Public Schools
Residential Infrastructure Stabilization Program
- Ben’s Hope
- Georgetown Harmony Homes
- Harbor House
- Heritage Homes
- Holland Deacons’ Conference
- MOKA
- Parkview AFC
Your Millage Dollars at Work
Every millage dollar directly strengthens the services and supports our community relies on every day. In this section, you’ll hear the voices of some individuals and staff whose lives and work have been transformed by millage-funded programs. Their stories highlight real impact—expanded access to care, improved outcomes, and renewed hope. These firsthand testimonies illustrate how the Mental Health Millage empowers people, strengthens local services, and builds a healthier, more resilient community for all.