Lt. Governor Brian Calley with the Easter Seals Michigan Board of Directors. From left: Juanita Savage, CEO Brent Wirth, Lee Uhlig, Lt. Governor Brian Calley, Ken Gabriel, John Zerbo, Elizabeth Kersten, Matt Van Haaren and Board Chair Dr. Sam Flanders. (Photo courtesy of Peggy Goodwin.) Lt. Governor Brian Calley was in Walled Lake late last week as he celebrated the open house of Easter Seals of Michigan’s Walled Lake location, which opened last fall.

Calley offered brief remarks about the mission and services of Easter Seals Michigan (ESM), took part in an official ribbon cutting and took a tour of the building during his visit.

“I’m so proud to be a part of this and the expansion of Easter Seals in Walled Lake. It’s a wonderful organization with a statewide presence that works in an area that is so critical to the long-term success of a group of people that often times is overlooked,” Calley said. “That’s what they do and they do it well. I’m proud of the work they’ve done and I’m looking forward to the future.”

With programs and services primarily focusing on rehabilitation and wellness related to behavioral health for children and adults, services are designed to support people in their recovery. Early childhood intervention, substance abuse services, occupational therapy and recreational programs are also available. The Walled Lake location is projected to serve more than 400 people in its first year.

In addition to other mental health services, ESM also recently launched their LUNA Model (Look, Uncover, Nurture, Act), a program that addresses trauma prevention and intervention in children and teens ages 18 and under.

LUNA is made possible by a $4.1 million grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. It will take place in collaboration with key partners at eight sites throughout the state, including Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Kent, Genesee, Kalamazoo and Isabella counties, as well in the Upper Peninsula.

“There is a lot we have to learn in the area of childhood development and the impact it has, but there’s a lot we do know in terms of development and how we can get the best possible outcome for our young people,” Calley said. “I think this will be a great opportunity to improve on what we’re doing.”

For more information contact Easter Seals Michigan at 1-800-75-SEALS or visit www.essmichigan.org.