Categories Press Releases

Behavioral Health Services Safety Net System Praises Governor and First Lady for $5 Million Grant toward Opioid Crisis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 27, 2020

Behavioral Health Services Safety Net System Praises Governor and First Lady for $5 Million Grant toward Opioid Crisis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s behavioral health safety net system, made up of seven Managing Entities that oversee more than 300 behavioral health care providers statewide, today applauded Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis for the $5 million grant they received from the U.S. Department of Labor to launch a pilot program to help combat the opioid crisis in Florida.

“Florida has made considerable progress in the fight against the opioid crisis, and we must continue to forge ahead during these isolating and stressful times, when some Floridians are turning to opioids. Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities said. “I applaud Governor and First Lady DeSantis for prioritizing behavioral health needs in our state. Community-based care and wrap-around services help individuals find hope and get back on their feet.”

Florida’s seven local Managing Entities work with a network of over 300 behavioral health care providers who deliver services to over 300,000 of Florida’s most vulnerable residents, including children, expectant mothers, veterans, and the chronically homeless.

Providers meet patients’ diverse needs with “wraparound services” that not only address mental health issues and substance abuse but also assist with housing, transportation, and employment. Community boards administer, manage, and ensure accountability of state and federal funds for behavioral health services, keeping oversight and accountability closest to the people they serve.

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The Florida Association of Managing Entities (FAME) represents Florida’s seven managing entities. Managing entities are local, not-for-profit businesses with community boards that administer, manage, and ensure accountability of state and federal funds for Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) services.

Categories Press Releases

Behavioral Health Services Safety Net System Applauds Governor for $5 Million Grant for Crisis Counseling Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Oct. 19, 2020

Behavioral Health Services Safety Net System Applauds Governor for $5 Million Grant for Crisis Counseling Program

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s behavioral health safety net system, consisting of seven Managing Entities that oversee more than 300 behavioral health care providers statewide, today applauded Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis for the nearly $5 million emergency grant they received from the United States Department of Health and HUman Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for a Crisis Counseling Program through Florida’s 2-1-1 helplines.

“We must prioritize behavioral health services, and I applaud Governor DeSantis for his leadership in obtaining and directing much-needed resources to crisis counselors on the front lines of assisting Floridians who need help,” Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities said. “That first call to 2-1-1 can be the most important call a person makes.”

Florida’s seven local Managing Entities work with a network of over 300 behavioral health care providers who deliver services to over 300,000 of Florida’s most vulnerable residents, including children, expectant mothers, veterans, and the chronically homeless.

Providers meet patients’ diverse needs with “wraparound services” that not only address mental health issues and substance abuse, but also assist with housing, transportation, and employment. Community boards administer, manage, and ensure accountability of state and federal funds for behavioral health services, keeping oversight and accountability closest to the people they serve. 


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The Florida Association of Managing Entities (FAME) represents Florida’s seven managing entities. Managing entities are local, not-for-profit businesses with community boards that administer, manage and ensure accountability of state and federal funds for Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) services.

Categories Press Releases

Florida Association of Managing Entities Praises First Lady DeSantis for $5.2 Million to Support Mental Health and Other Services in Northwest Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 9, 2020

Florida Association of Managing Entities Praises First Lady DeSantis for $5.2 Million to Support Mental Health and Other Services in Northwest Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s behavioral health safety net system, made up of seven Managing Entities that oversee more than 300 behavioral health care providers statewide, today praised First Lady Casey DeSantis for her announcement that $5.2 million will be directed to residents in Northwest Florida, a region that is still recovering from Hurricane Michael, to support, among other things, mental health screening and evaluation services for children, families and teachers–regardless of whether they are insured.

“On behalf of Florida’s behavioral health safety net system, we thank First Lady DeSantis for continuing to prioritize behavioral health services,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “No one can thrive in a classroom or at work without first taking care of their mental health, and this funding will go a long way in helping those who have suffered the trauma of living in a hurricane-ravaged area get back on their feet.”

The Florida Association of Managing Entities has been a vocal supporter of telehealth services during the pandemic in order to provide essential substance abuse and mental health services to Floridians who need them now more than ever. The association recently released data showing that nearly 1 in 3 patients in Florida’s behavioral health safety net system used telehealth services amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Florida’s seven local Managing Entities work with a network of over 300 behavioral health care providers who deliver services to over 300,000 of Florida’s most vulnerable residents, including children, expectant mothers, veterans, and the chronically homeless.

Providers meet patients’ diverse needs with “wraparound services” that not only address mental health issues and substance abuse, but also assist with housing, transportation, and employment. Community boards administer, manage, and ensure accountability of state and federal funds for behavioral health services, keeping oversight and accountability closest to the people they serve.

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The Florida Association of Managing Entities (FAME) represents Florida’s seven managing entities. Managing entities are local, not-for-profit businesses with community boards that administer, manage and ensure accountability of state and federal funds for Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) services.