The Florida Senate

394.908  Alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health funding equity; distribution of appropriations.--In recognition of the historical inequity among service districts of the former Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services in the funding of alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health services, and in order to rectify this inequity and provide for equitable funding in the future throughout the state, the following funding process shall be adhered to, beginning with the 1997-1998 fiscal year:

(1)  Funding thresholds for alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health services in each of the current districts, statewide, shall be established based on the current number of persons in need per district for alcohol and drug abuse, and for mental health services, respectively.

(2)  "Persons in need" means those persons who fit the profile of the respective target populations and require mental health or substance abuse services.

(3)  Beginning July 1, 1997, 75 percent of any additional funding beyond the 1996-1997 fiscal year base appropriation for alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health services shall be allocated to districts based on:

(a)  Epidemiological estimates of disabilities which apply to the respective target populations.

(b)  A pro rata share distribution that ensures districts below the statewide average funding level per person in each target population of "persons in need" receive funding necessary to achieve equity.

(4)  The remaining 25 percent shall be allocated based on the number of persons in need of alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health services per district without regard to current funding levels.

(5)  Target populations for persons in need shall be displayed for each district and distributed concurrently with the approved operating budget. The display by target population shall show: The annual number of persons served based on prior year actual numbers, the annual cost per person served, the number of persons served by service cost center, and the estimated number of the total target population for persons in need.

(6)  The annual cost per person served shall be defined as the total actual funding for each target population divided by the number of persons served in the target population for that year.

(7)  Commencing on July 1, 1998, all additional funding pursuant to this section shall be performance-based.

History.--s. 1, ch. 97-195.