Jim Rosica
Gov. Rick Scott on Monday said he’ll ask lawmakers to put $19 million into next year’s state budget to treat mental illness and substance abuse.
That amount includes “$12.8 million for Community Behavioral Health Services, $3.7 million to add more Community Action Treatment (CAT) teams and $2.8 million to expand Family Intensive Treatment (FIT) teams,” the Governor’s Office said in a statement.
The funding call follows two executive orders Scott issued this year.
“State funding for mental health care is too fragmented,” he said in the order. “It is critical that our state’s social service agencies work together along with local entities to better coordinate care.”
A Florida spokeswoman for the National Alliance on Mental Illness was not immediately available for comment.
Susan Pitman, executive director of Drug Free Duval, an alcohol and substance abuse prevention group, said she was “thrilled” at Monday’s announcement.
“This is a start … we need to address the neediest citizens of our state,” those suffering from addictions and mental disease, she said. “I think we can do a lot of great things.”
Pilot programs are ongoing in Alachua, Broward and Pinellas counties to better integrate what’s called behavioral health services.
“We do need to break down the silos and work together,” Pitman said. “I’d say 15-20 years from now, if we do this right, we’ll see a reduction in the need for such services.”
Here’s the funding breakdown, from Scott’s statement:
The proposed funding for Community Behavioral Health Services will do the following:
- Work to support individuals with mental health needs in their communities instead of in custody or under supervision of the state.
- Help transition individuals with mental health needs from state facilities back to their communities so they can get the skills, support and training they need to lead more productive and independent lives.
- Strengthen counties to work with local entities, law enforcement and non-profit organizations to better serve individuals with behavioral health needs.
The proposed funding for CAT teams will do the following:
- Add five additional CAT teams in communities that do not currently have them. CAT teams provide comprehensive treatment to youth with significant behavioral and mental health needs so care can be received in communities.
- It is estimated that an additional 395 families will be served with this funding.
The proposed funding for FIT teams will do the following:
- Expand FIT teams to six additional counties that have high numbers of verified abuse and neglect reports related to substance abuse. FIT teams provide intensive team-based, family-focused services to families in the child welfare system with parental substance abuse.
- It is estimated that an additional 280 families will be served by the expanded FIT teams.
