Commission on Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Sheriff Bill Prummell, Chair of the Commission on Mental Health & Substance Abuse, presented details from the Commission's Interim Report to the House Children, Families and Seniors Subcommittee on Behavioral Health Day, February 8, 2023. His report included details on the Commission's ten recommendations on improving the state's overall publicly funded behavioral health system. 

Click here to download the presentation.

The ten recommendations, developed by the Commission's four subcommittees on Data Analysis, Business Operations, Criminal Justice and Finance, focus on Data Transparency, Access to Care and Gaps in Service. In brief, the ten recommendations are as follows:

1. Create a master client index with basic demographic an diagnosis information that can be shared across agencies to avoid duplication and lack of coordination of services to individuals;
2. Create a Florida behavioral health data repository or other data system to harmonize and clean data from the various agencies and departments that provide behavioral health services;
3. Provide information on availability of behavioral health resources in Florida for high-risk individuals;
4. Develop a workgroup to establish a statewide core set of metrics to assess quality of care and health outcomes;
5. In partnership with AHCA, conduct an exploratory study to assess the potential impact of  adjusting Medicaid eligibility to young adults ages 18-26 who are not insured;
6. Implement a three-year pilot in which one agency level entity manages all behavioral health funding (from all state sources) in a geographic area;
7. Create a coordinated behavioral health approach for public school students utilizing a single organization;
8. Limit the use of the Competency Restoration process in cases that are inappropriate for dismissal or diversion;
9. Modernize the Baker and Marchman Acts to reflect case law and scientific developments;
10. Establish pre and post diversion programs in every circuit in Florida for individuals with mental illness who are at risk of arrest or charged with a non-violent offense.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REPORT. 

WHAT IS THE COMMISSION ON MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE?

In accordance with Senate Bill 96 passed in 2021, an appointed Commission on Mental Health and Substance Abuse has been formed to discuss the current status of Florida’s behavioral health system of care and opportunities to further examine the current methods of providing mental health and substance abuse services in the state.

Specifically, the Commission will confer on ways to better improve the effectiveness of current practices, procedures, programs, in providing such services; identify any barriers or deficiencies in the delivery of such services and recommend changes to existing laws, rules and policies.

The Commission is comprised of individuals appointed by the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House.

Minutes and of the Commission's meetings are available by clicking here.

Click here to see the list of appointed members of the Commission.