Lifeways CEO says agency restored compliance; state RFP and contract rates remain uncertain

Cassandra Watson, CEO of Lifeways, told the Jackson County board that the agency's recipient-rights audit findings have been resolved and the program is back in full compliance under MDHHS certification standards.

"Our program is now in full compliance once again," Watson said, and reported that recent financial and deficit-reduction audits did not demonstrate major findings. She told commissioners the state had anticipated releasing an RFP to restructure regions for public mental-health services but that the RFP had not appeared on the vendor page as expected; Lifeways is still waiting for details and for contract rate information the agency needs to finalize its budget.

Watson said projected rates will inform a budget the board will see in September and that the agency may need to return with an addendum if final rates differ by more than 5 percent. She also told the board Lifeways plans to seek renewal of a local millage in 2028. The board voted to receive the Lifeways report by voice vote without further debate.