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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #93 |
| Behavioral Health Core Services and Triage Center |
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| Requester: |
Karen Hawes, Director |
Organization: |
Lee County Commission - Human Services |
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| Project Title: |
Behavioral Health Core Services and Triage Center |
Date Submitted |
12/18/2007 5:05:52 PM |
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| Sponsors: |
Aronberg, Bennett |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| There are many individuals who experience a serious mental illness, alcohol or drug addiction, and, and/or are homeless that lack adequate and appropriate core services in order to recover. A proposed partnership between local government and not for profit agencies that provide mental health, substance abuse, and homeless services will enhance the existing continuum of care to effectively provide core behavioral health services. This proposal is consistent with State-wide initiatives to serve individuals with behavioral health needs in the community. The cost of untreated mental illness and substance abuse impacts multiple entitites; the justice system (including the Department of Corrections statewide), the healthcare system (including all sources of healthcare funding) the child welfare system (7 in 10 cases of child abuse or neglect involve an adult with a substance abuse problem) and the local community. Homeless individuals are known to need susbstance abuse treatment 9-10 times more often than other citizens. Recent judicial action has highlighted the shortcomings of the current system in responding to the needs of persons with a mental illness on a statewide basis. Florida's District 8 Strategic Plan noted an increase in the overall numbers of people involved in the forensic mental health system, despite the District's numerous diviersion efforts. Variables cited that contribute to this increase include the seasonal population growth unique to this region of Florida, the continued rapid population growth, and the absence of meaningful alternatives exiting in this region. |
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| Recipient: |
Karen Hawes |
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Contact: |
Ann Arnall |
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2440 Thompson St. |
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Contact Phone: |
(239) 533-7920 |
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Ft. Myers 33901 |
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Contact email: |
arnallam@leegov.com |
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| Counties: |
Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee |
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| Gov't Entity: |
Yes |
Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
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| Project Description: |
| The Triage Center will serve as a 24 hour a day/7 day per week no-refusal single access point for law enforcement and the local community when interacting with persons who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis and/or homeless. Individuals brought to the Triage Center will be screened and assessed by nurse case managers and referred to appropriate treatment and services.
Due to the current lack of accessible short-term resources, many individuals who have a mental illness or substance use disorder end up being charged with low level offenses and are remanded to the criminal justice system. The overtaxed criminal justice system is not equipped to respond to people�s behavioral health needs; thus the current community response is the wrong response at the wrong time-costing the community money and not offering hope or assistance to those in need.
In order for the local community to adequately address the needs of individuals who have a serious mental illness, are addicted to alcohol or other substances, and/or are homeless, it has been determined that a Triage Center is necessary to appropriately serve affected citizens. Additionally, new behavioral health services are necessary and existing services must be enhanced.
The Triage Center/Low Demand Shelter will operate as a multi-agency collaborative, at the former Children�s Crisis Unit on the Lee Mental Health Center�s Ortiz Avenue campus. Project partners include Lee County Board of County Commissioners, Lee Mental Health Center, Lee Memorial Health System, Southwest Florida Addiction Services, The Salvation Army, NAMI Lee County, the United Way of Lee County, State of Florida Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program Office, Lee County Sheriff�s Office, Fort Myers Police Department, and the Cape Coral Police Department.
An inebriate and low demand shelter will provide a two phase program for the homeless individuals with substance use or co-occurring disorders. As part of the Triage Center the first phase provides capacity for up to 16 intoxicated homeless individuals to eat, shower, and �sleep it off�. The second phase provides housing for up to 24 individuals who want to participate in a recovery program to address substance abuse, mental illness, homelessness, and employment.
A Level I Residential Treatment Program will provide 16 beds for psychiatric care and transitional treatment planning for 30 to 90 days. The lack of inpatient psychiatric services in Lee County and limited availability in surrounding counties, make a residential component an essential element in the continuum of care. A Level I Residential Treatment Program will serve as an effective transitional step from the Crisis Stabilization Unit and as a Program for individuals who need psychiatric follow-up and transitional services who are involved in the criminal justice system.
An expansion of the existing alcohol and substance abuse detoxification capacity and expanded substance abuse services for adults is required. The request provides operational funding to increase the available number of detoxification beds from 27 to 40. The current number of beds per capita in the counties served is 1 adult bed for every 33,000 adults. In other areas of Florida, this ratio ranges from 1 bed for every 19,000 to 21,000 adults
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| Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| Triage Center: Assess and refer 100% of individuals brought to the center for appropriate mental health, substance abuse, and/or homeless services.
Inebriate and Low Demand Shelter: Provide 2,920 safe nights of lodging for homeless inebriates.
95% of homeless participating in the recovery phase (phase two) will receive medical, substance abuse, and mental health assessments, as well as an individualized service plan and case management services.
Residential Level I: The measurable outcome of such a program would be to provide more appropriate treatment to approximately 60 individuals with serious and persistent mental illnesses per year. The creation of a Level I Residential Treatment Program is projected to increase the successful re-integration of individuals into community based services, and to maintain them safely in the least restrictive environment possible.
Expanded Detoxification and Adult Substance Abuse Services: An increase in adults receiving detoxification services is expected from 145 adults monthly to 225 adults monthly after implementation. An increase from 700 adults active in outpatient treatment to 850 adults, and an increase in the numbers of adults receiving day treatment from 5 per month to 10 per month. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$3,505,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$4,930,500 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Operations |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Local, Private, Federal |
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Cash Amount |
$1,425,500 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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Yes |
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Fiscal Year: |
2006-2007 |
Amount: |
$200,000 |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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Yes |
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Amount: |
$3,645,200 |
To Fund: |
Operations |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
Transforming Florida�s Mental Health System report issued by Florida Supreme Court |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Lee County Legislative Delegation |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
