State Rep. Michelle Salzman is reconvening the Mental Health Task Force of Northwest Florida for an invitation-only meeting for “brainstorming, designing and planning for a potential long-term treatment facility in Region One of Florida (that’s most of the panhandle).”
Rep. Salzman wrote, “Part of our strategic plan indicated that lacking in a long-term care facility in our area creates a large gap in services…”
But…
The strategic plan does not include a long-term treatment facility. Read presentation, plus detailed plan and roadmap.
The facilities listed in the plan are:
- Possible expansion of existing short-term residential sites
- A Community-Based Behavioral Health Crisis Center (BHCC) Actions and next steps to consider include non-Baker Act walk-in services in a non-hospital setting.
- A drop-in center and clubhouses for kids
Other big ideas discussed at the last task force meeting in May: Adopt Red Ribbon Campaign; Establish SUD (Substance Use Disorder) prevention initiative; Expand Transitional Residential Treatment and Community Action Teams; and Certified Peer Specialists.
Much of the May meeting focused on setting up a Central Receiving System for handling Baker Act adults and children.
Nothing about a long-term treatment facility. Nada
And…
When the task force met in May, Rep. Salzman announced that her work with it was over, and the Northwest Florida Mental Network would take over the roadmap. Read more.
Apparently, the roadmap has changed. Why?
- Why not focus on the Crisis Center or short-term residential sites?
- What is the status of the Central Receiving System?
- What was the purpose of spending over $300K on the strategic plan and then diverging away from it after only three months?
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Salzman Email
Good morning!
We have been full speed ahead with ensuring stakeholders across the state are not only familiar with our findings, but are embracing components of the plan. Last weeks meetings with state leadership has led me to call a meeting of stakeholders.
This meeting next month is specifically for brainstorming, designing and planning for a potential long-term treatment facility in Region One of Florida (that’s most of the panhandle). Part of our strategic plan indicated that lacking in a long-term care facility in our area creates a large gap in services through the following:
1. It means that people who are regularly baker acted (ones who need long term care/treatment) are never really receiving the care they truly need to improve their quality of lives. Properly executed long-term facilities empower patients through helping them learn how to cope/live and thrive with their diagnosis.
2. It also means that the folks who are regularly using these services are actually taking away from services that other potential patients really need access to. Bogging down the system in this viscous cycle that isn’t actually addressing the real problems these patients face. Opening up the system will create more room for critical/crisis care patients and follow up therapies.
Having a long-term treatment facility would in-fact save our community money, open access to those who need the short-term solutions AND finally provide a valuable roadmap for those in consistent crisis mode.
WE ARE LOOKING AT A COMMUNITY BASED APPROACH – NOT A STATE RAN FACILITY
If you are interested in having a part in this – simply reply to this email for now, and we will reach out in the near future with a clearer agenda/meeting outline.
This meeting is by invite only, so please do not bring or invite people outside of the task force without reaching out to me or my staff first. We welcome new faces, we just need to be sure that we aren’t bogging down the meeting with spending too much time covering what we have already addressed or trying to catch up new people on where we are. Having said that, if you feel strongly about who should be at the table, please don’t hesitate to reach out! In order for this to be a viable plan, we need all of the right people at the table.
WHERE: Museum of Commerce (Downtown Pensacola)
WHEN: September 13th
TIME: 1:30 – 3:00 PM
As you can see, the meeting is after lunch time, but we will provide snacks and beverages.
Looking forward to a productive meeting to create a true outline for this potential opportunity!
Representative Salzman
