Lt. Governor Brian Calley Talks About Autism Insurance Reform on MI Healthy Mind

DETROIT, MI--(Marketwired - Jan 19, 2016) - An estimated 50 to 80 thousand people in Michigan have autism spectrum disorder, including nearly 16,000 children enrolled in Michigan schools. On January 24, 2016, Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley will be a featured guest on MI Healthy Mind, a 30-minute program that talks openly about matters related to mental health, and airs each Sunday at noon on TV 20 Detroit. Lt. Gov. Calley will talk about autism spectrum disorder and what Michigan is doing to help families with access to services.

As a strong advocate for mental health in Michigan, Lt. Gov. Calley will share his family's experience with autism spectrum disorder, commonly known as autism. Joining him will be Dr. Colleen Allen, president and CEO of the Autism Alliance of Michigan. Together, they helped to implement autism insurance reform legislation to provide expanded services for people with autism.

Dr. Allen will also describe a new program, MiNavigator, which includes both direct consultation and case management by autism professionals and a web-based, adjunct tool, to assist families in navigating the maze of service and support options available in Michigan.

Later in the program, MI Healthy Mind hosts Elizabeth Atkins and Michael Hunter will talk with Kristin Rohrbeck, director of OUCARES, which provides a variety of outreach programs for the Oakland University Center for Autism, and serves approximately 2,500 people of all ages each year. 

Rohrbeck will be accompanied by Sean Rosen, who participated in OUCARES employable computer skills training program and now works as a paid intern for OUCARES.

"Although autism is a topic that has gained a lot of media attention, there is still so much to learn about this disorder and how it impacts families in Michigan," said Millie Elston, executive producer of Relativity Communications, producers of MI Healthy Mind. "We are honored to have Lt. Governor Calley and these distinguished guests on our show to talk about the many facets of autism and resources available in our state to help people live to their highest potential."

Sponsored by Team Wellness Center, MI Healthy Mind invites viewers to submit mental health and wellness topics of interest to Listening@MIHealthyMind.com. For more information about opportunities for guest appearances and advertising, visit www.MiHealthyMind.com.

About Relativity Communications
Relativity Communications is a woman-owned production company with offices in Plymouth, Michigan, specializing in locally focused programming. Relativity is committed to providing high quality content for Michigan viewing audiences. For more information, call 734-667-4425.

About Team Wellness Center
Team Wellness Center provides comprehensive behavioral services and physical care for individuals with severe and chronic mental illness in southeastern Michigan. The Center's clinics in Southgate and Detroit's Eastern Market offer psychiatry, primary care, social work, housing and employment assistance, substance abuse treatment, faith-based treatment, and more. All mental health care services, programs and groups are provided using the person- centered planning process with individualized treatment plans available for both short- and long-term mental health problems. Established in 2002, Team Wellness Center is an accredited provider of the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation (CARF) since 2003. For more information, visit www.TeamWellnessCenter.com or call 313-396-5300.