A.G. Gancarski
One of the major talking points of Jacksonville leaders and stakeholders: the need for a central receiving facility for those with mental issues.
However, thus far there has been more talk than action in terms of getting the $7.5 million needed as a match to the $15 million of state funds.
Stakeholders are worried that a golden opportunity is being squandered.
An email from Amy Crane, the program director of the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida, that found its way to mayoral chief of staff Kerri Stewart (via Gary Chartrand) tells the tale.
Crane notes that “there was, and continues to be, concern about [Mental Health Resource Center]’s ability to raise the funds necessary to match the grant. After the articles appeared, I followed up with Denise. She indicated that she is going to work directly with MHRC to develop a strategy to try to raise the funding. In short. she believes that if Duval County were to be unsuccessful, MHA’s advocacy efforts in Tallahassee over the past two years would have been for nothing.”
Stakeholders will meet in the mayor’s office later this month to discuss a path forward.
