ARPA Report Highlights Investments in Mental Health

Pontiac, Mich. – Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter has released the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Annual Report for 2023, detailing how Oakland County is investing $244 million ARPA dollars from the federal government into the community.

As required by ARPA, Oakland County presented its Recovery Plan Performance Report for the period ending June 30, 2023. The county has designated nearly $146.5 million of the ARPA funds for residents, businesses, schools, and non-profit organizations and has delivered more than $60.5 million to recipients to date.

County executive administration, in partnership with the Board of Commissioners (BOC), is funding projects that reflect Oakland County’s mission, vision and values while addressing the most significant challenges facing residents with a special focus on mental health, housing and economic hardships affecting both businesses and families. Among the most significant ARPA investments are:

• $40 million dedicated to increasing the reach of mental health services for children and adults.
• $18 million appropriated to Phase II of the Business Forward Initiative including $2.5 million directed at Small Business Recovery and Resilience grants, and $500,000 for Business Community Navigators.
• $15 million assigned to Project Diamond Phase II to build on the successful distribution of 3-D printers to local manufacturers and build a network of Industry 4.0 companies.
• $15 million to make critical investments in the county park system and enhance opportunities in underserved areas.
• $5.5 million divided among 29 senior centers across the county to improve and expand their services and facilities.
• $5 million was directed at 30 programs supporting missed learning opportunities and social and emotional development of children 0 to 18 years old.
• $5 million dedicated to the Housing Trust Fund that will increase access to rental and/or home ownership for families living below the Federal Poverty Level.

When deciding how, when, and where to invest ARPA funding, county leaders used the Strategic Framework with the goal to strengthen programs and services that were meeting the needs of residents before the pandemic. All funds must have an awardee by Dec. 31, 2024, and be spent by Dec. 31, 2026. The county is on track to meet these deadlines.

To read in more detail about the ARPA-invested programs, services, and initiatives, visit oakgov.com/arp.