The Florida Senate

Each judicial circuit as set forth in s. 26.021 may establish a juvenile substance abuse impairment prevention and early intervention council composed of at least 12 members, including representatives from law enforcement, the department, school districts, state attorney and public defender offices, the circuit court, the religious community, substance abuse impairment professionals, child advocates from the community, business leaders, parents, and high school students. However, those circuits which already have in operation a council of similar composition may designate the existing body as the juvenile substance abuse impairment prevention and early intervention council for the purposes of this section. Each council shall establish bylaws providing for the length of term of its members, but the term may not exceed 4 years. The substate entity administrator, as defined in s. 20.19, and the chief judge of the circuit court shall each appoint six members of the council. The substate entity administrator shall appoint a representative from the department, a school district representative, a substance abuse impairment treatment professional, a child advocate, a parent, and a high school student. The chief judge of the circuit court shall appoint a business leader and representatives from the state attorney’s office, the public defender’s office, the religious community, the circuit court, and law enforcement agencies.

The purpose of each council is to identify the needs of its community in the area of juvenile substance abuse impairment prevention and early intervention. In order to carry out its responsibilities, the council shall assess the need for substance abuse impairment prevention and early intervention service providers, identify priorities for providers and services, propose methods of coordination of services to ensure effectiveness and avoid duplication and fragmentation, and develop recommendations to address the identified needs.

The council shall provide recommendations to the Program Director for Substance Abuse annually for consideration for inclusion in the substance abuse and mental health substate entity plans.