Skip to Navigation | Skip to Main Content | Skip to Site Map

MyFloridaHouse.gov | Mobile Site

Senate Tracker: Sign Up | Login

The Florida Senate

Senate Committee Publications

CBIRS Request 1414
 
Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1414
Children's Mental Health
 
Requester: Irene M. Toto, MS, LMHC Organization: Clay Behavioral Health Center, Inc.
 
Project Title: Children's Mental Health Date Submitted 1/10/2006 6:19:38 PM
 
Sponsors: Wise
 
Statewide Interest:
Children's Mental Health/Infant through Adolescence
 
Recipient: Clay Behavioral Health Center, Inc.   Contact: Stephen Hill  
  1726 Kingsley Avenue, Suite 2   Contact Phone: (850) 668-3900  
  Orange Park 32073   Contact email: ash001@comcast. net
 
Counties: Clay
 
Gov't Entity:   Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): Yes
 
Project Description:
This proposal requests the funding to continue to provide in home, on site prevention and intervention services that would avoid the removal of children from their homes, both with biological and foster families. Often times placements are disrupted and children are removed from their homes simply because the supports necessary to keep them in the homes are not available. Up front prevention and early interventions in the home, involving all of the members of the home, can and will reduce the number of children entering the child welfare system. Emotional support and guidance along with early identification of problems can help parents and children develop healthy social and emotional bonds and the ability to deal with issues before they become too big to handle. Research has shown that treating one family member in isolation is not effective. For children who are at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment services would include the availability of a 24/7 response and would be designed to intervene immediately and to offer all individuals the chance to receive treatment and /or education. Through a collaborative effort between DCF, the local community mental health center and the local community based care agency, this program offers a unique opportunity for three community providers to work together to keep families together. Funding is desperately needed to allow trained staff to begin working with families as soon as possible. Community education and involvement will be critical to the ongoing success of the program, and all efforts will be made to enlist the assistance and involvement of more natural support systems, such as schools, neighbors, churches, extended families and others. The safety and well being of children will be the driving force behind this project and we believe that keeping families together will only help to insure the development of healthier children with more promising futures.
 
Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? No
 
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
A. Training and support for staff who will serve identified children and families within the community. B. The provision of all required screening, assessment and treatment for families referred by the DCF, Clay & Baker Kids Net and the community. C. A reduction in the number of children entering the child welfare system.
 
Amount requested from the State for this project this year: $250,000
 
Total cost of the project: $270,000
 
Request has been made to fund: Operations
 
What type of match exists for this project? Local
  Cash Amount $7,500   In-kind Amount $12,500
 
Was this project previously funded by the state?   Yes
  Fiscal Year: 2003-2004 Amount: $100,000
 
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?   Yes
  Amount: $250,000 To Fund: Operations
 
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?   No
 
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? No
 
Is there a documented need for this project? Yes
  Documentation: Agency Needs Assessment - rising numbers of children/families needing services.
 
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?   Yes
  Hearing Body: Clay County Legislative Delegation
  Hearing Meeting Date: 10/26/2005
 
Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida?   No