MARQUETTE — The Upper Peninsula is one of two pilot regions selected for the Michigan Crisis and Access Line, which will be available for anyone who needs behavioral health or crisis response services, according to a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services news release.

The target implementation for MiCAL is late April in two pilot regions. MDHHS officials estimate the pilot will last four months after which MiCAL will be successively rolled out to the entire state. The Upper Peninsula region will led by NorthCare Network and the Oakland County region will be led by Oakland Community Health Network.

“These pilot sites provide geographic and demographic diversity with unique needs that will ultimately help MDHHS scale MiCAL to the entire state,” said All Jansen, senior deputy director, Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration, said in the release. “Utilizing the selected vendor’s knowledge, expertise, and core values of empowerment, collaboration, and diversity and inclusivity, MDHHS is thrilled for the critical crisis services and resource support they will provide to Michiganders via MiCAL.”

MiCAL will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will provide Michiganders with crisis services and non-crisis “warm line” services, informational resources, and facilitated coordination with local systems of care such as Community Mental Health Services Programs, Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans, and other applicable entities. In addition, MiCAL will integrate with treatment registries including psychiatric beds, substance use disorder services and crisis residential services, officials said.

Through a request for proposal with the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, MDHHS has selected Common Ground as the MiCAL staffing vendor. Common Ground is a Michigan-based organization in Oakland County. Common Ground responds to crises 24-hours a day, seven days per week, 365 days a year. Through phone, text, email, and in-person services, Common Ground cares for more than 80,000 people annually. As the MDHHS MiCAL staffing vendor, similar crisis support and services will be delivered to all Michiganders in need.

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/MiCAL.