The Mental Health Task Force of Northwest Florida will convene noon on Friday at Pensacola Christian College, 250 Brent Lane, for its quarterly meeting. It is an invite-only event, and the secret password for entry is “DOGE.”
- Background: State Rep. Michelle Salzman launched the comprehensive Mental Health Task Force for Northwest Florida in recognition of ae nationwide mental health crisis in August 2021. The task force aimed to develop a mental health care blueprint for the Pensacola region. Salzman claims over 40 stakeholders from major hospitals, government agencies, law enforcement, schools, military installations, and community organizations are members. The participants are to develop a 90-day action plan with quarterly follow-up meetings to evaluate progress and adjust strategies.
In August 2023, former Baptist VP Jen Grove delivered a Strategic Plan & Roadmap that included several initiatives. Two years later, it’s uncertain how many have been implemented. BH-Strategic-Plan-Roadmap-Overview_-002
Prevention
1.1 Expand school-based and community-based prevention services and programs
Actions and next steps to consider:
- Host interagency mental health and wellness events in schools and throughout the community.
- Facilitate programs and activities during Red Ribbon Week.
- Increasing translations for bilingual residents and those who have a primary language other than English.
- Align prevention efforts with community public information campaign.
1.2 Establish a regionwide, substance use disorder (SUD) prevention initiative
Actions and next steps to consider:
- Establish a local Red Ribbon Campaign steering committee with faculty, BH providers and peers, law
enforcement partners, and others. - Increase access to Naloxone kits and increase Naloxone training for law enforcement and EMS first responders.
- Dedicate community-based opioid prevention methods by providing access to naloxone distribution programs
and fentanyl test strip distribution. - Collaboration between BH providers and NAMI to operationalize a peer warm line (call center) to share
information via multilingual communications.
Intervention
2.1 Enhance co-responder capabilities
Actions and next steps to consider:
- Dedicate resources within Escambia and Santa Rosa police departments for a needs assessment to determine
level of services and staffing required. - Consider funding resources to support a co-responder program to aid collaboration between BH providers
and law enforcement. This can include hiring Peer Specialists as part of the co-responder team. - Partner with NAMI Pensacola’s developing qualified peer network as these professionals will have the required
40-hour certification.
2.2 Implement Transitional Residential Treatment (TRT)
Actions and next steps to consider:
- Evaluate the possible expansion of existing short-term residential sites
- Explore a state plan amendment with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration to include residential
rehabilitation as a reimbursable service.
2.3 Expand Link, Engage, Assess, Plan (LEAP) and Community Action Team (CAT)
Actions and next steps to consider:
- Expand CAT and LEAP programs for children, transition-aged youth and adults with BH needs services
to improve behavioral health outcomes for individuals. - Consider funding an additional ACT team to support Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as demand for
BH services increases with growing awareness.
Crisis
3.1 Establish a Community-Based Behavioral Health Crisis Center (BHCC)
Actions and next steps to consider:
- Provide non-Baker Act BH walk-in services in a non-hospital setting
- Introduce policy support for three components of a BHCC: 24/7 BH crisis walk-in living room model,
temporary observation unit inclusive of detox beds, and CSU (ERF) services. - Hire peer specialists, nurses, MD, facility support staff, and facility location identification.
3.2 Expand Mobile Response Team
Actions and next steps to consider:
- Dedicate staffing resources to hire Peer Specialists (CPSs) to work alongside with licensed BH MRT
staff. - Dedicate staffing resources to hire BH licensed staff with specific SUD and MH experience.
- Utilize a public information campaign to increase awareness on how to access MRT.
Recovery
4.1 Establish a drop-in center
Actions and next steps to consider:
- NWF Health Network can identify the lead community BH provider and peer advocacy organization to
implement - Identify certified peer specialists to be hired in the drop-in center.
4.2 Explore the development of clubhouses
Actions and next steps to consider:
- Task Force partners could organize a project workgroup to evaluate clubhouse models to determine
what best fits the community’s needs. - Partner with higher education institutions and / or youth-serving organizations for youth clubhouses.
- Employ youth peers or as volunteers.
4.3 Expand peer support services
Actions a n and next steps to consider:
- Invest resources for additional state-funding to increase CPS training and number of CPSs working in
outpatient, inpatient and crisis settings. - Increase enrollment of peers in the existing CPS training.
- Continue collaboration with NAMI and engage them as a key partner in CPS recruitment and training.
- Invest in a regional recovery plan to build upon NAMI’s efforts in recruitment, training, community
education and hiring initiatives.
Wraparound Support
5.1 Expand permanent supported housing
Actions and next steps to consider:
- Garner support for state legislative funding allocations for the Pensacola Housing Authority to provide
housing vouchers for rental assistance. - BH providers could prepare housing applications, support subsequent placement, and provide ongoing case
management and engagement.
5.2 Establish Mental Health Treatment Courts (MHTCs), also known as Accountability Courts or
Diversion Courts
Actions and next steps to consider:
- Develop an advisory group consisting of civil court judges and BH providers to create an
MHTC / accountability court team - Collaborate with the National Drug Court Institute and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA) to offer resources help reduce the recidivism of offenders with BH needs.
5.3 Non-emergency transportation assistance program
Actions and next steps to consider:
- Maximize existing coverage for Medicaid non-emergency transportation programs for enrolled
individuals. - Contract a non-emergency transportation company for services.
August 8 Agenda
Tomorrow’s closed-door meeting will begin with a roundtable with Department of Children and Families acting Secretary Bill Hardin and local nonprofit leaders to strengthen partnerships and align resources. Last quarter, Salzman focused on Hope Florida.