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Pathways continues compliance investigation

MARQUETTE — A compliance investigation is being conducted over concerns at a Marquette drop-in center that provides peer support services for clients of Pathways Community Mental Health.

Jeanne Lippens, contract compliance manager for Pathways, declined to comment on what complaints she was investigating, but said she will make a report to the drop-in center’s board of directors at their next meeting, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Feb. 1.

“We have a contract with the Brantley Drop-In Center to provide peer support services to people who have a mental illness,” Lippens said. “And what it is is a drop-in center where you can become a member of, and we use Medicaid dollars to pay for peer support services.”

In accordance to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Medicaid Provider Manual, the center’s volunteer board seats, along with the paid director and assistant director positions, are occupied by individuals who have received primary mental health care for issues, such as depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Pathways has an annual contract of $46,000 for the services.

During a recent Pathways board meeting, two community members who said they’ve been longtime clients of the Brantley alleged illegal drug use at the facility, among other complaints, such as a lack of service by employees and facilities being left in poor conditions.

“I’m just concerned,” said June Bertolotti, who said she’s been a client of Pathways for 12 years. “I don’t want to see this facility shut down and not be utilized.”

William Harris, who said he was a past board member of the center, described frequent visitors to the Brantley as substance abusers and that they don’t qualify for assistance at the center.

“The facility is not being utilized for what it was intended for — helping the mentally ill or those recovering from mental illness,” he said. “It’s a local drug house is what it’s turning into.”

Harris also said the Marquette City Police Department was made aware of the situation.

Detective Capt. Mike Kohler confirmed the department was notified once by someone with a complaint, but didn’t disclose what the complaint was or whether any law enforcement investigation into the matter was taking place.

Annette Grenier, president of the Brantley board, denied there was an issue of drug activity at the center. However, she said she has seen people who possibly looked under the influence, but couldn’t prove anything.

“If we did, we’d ask them to leave because our rules say no one should be intoxicated while there,” she explained.

Grenier said there are some problems at the center, but added that the accusations made are “not exactly true.”

“We’ve been in transition with new directors over the last two years and our clientele has changed,” she said. “We do have people coming from the warming center and Great Lakes Recovery. Many of those people have a psychiatric diagnosis, or they’ve told us, and they’re welcome at the center as long as they follow the rules.”

Ryan Jarvi can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 270. His email address is rjarvi@miningjournal.net.

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