Florida Association of Managing Entities President Maria Bledsoe Named Top 100 Women in Business for Second Consecutive Year
ORLANDO, Fla.–The Women’s Edge has for the second consecutive year named Central Florida Cares Health System CEO Maria Bledsoe a Top 100 Women in Business. Ms. Bledsoe is the President of the Florida Association of Managing Entities.
The Women’s Edge is a non-profit organization committed to advancing all women in leadership positions. This year’s honorees represent a diverse range of fields, spanning education, healthcare, travel & hospitality, finance, and more, illustrating the breadth of women’s leadership across the Sunshine State.
“I’m honored to have been named a ‘Top 100 Women in Business’ by The Women’s Edge. It’s truly a privilege to serve as the CEO of one of Florida’s seven Behavioral Health Managing Entities that work every day to connect Floridians in-need with the behavioral health services they need to thrive,” said Central Florida Cares CEO Maria Bledsoe.
Florida’s seven local Managing Entities work with a network of over 300 behavioral health care providers that deliver services to over 2 million Floridians, 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 care coordination, housing, transportation, and employment. Community boards administer, manage, and ensure accountability of state and federal funds for behavioral health services, keeping oversight, transparency and accountability closest to the people they serve.
Florida’s Managing Entities Help Support Veterans with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Issues
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Florida’s seven Managing Entities, which oversee the state’s behavioral health safety net system, support veterans with mental health and/or substance use issues. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, in 2020, the suicide rate for veterans was 57.3% higher than that of non-veteran adults. Also in 2020, suicide was the second leading cause of death among veterans under 45.
“Florida is home to the third largest veteran population in the nation, and under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida has prioritized connecting veterans with the behavioral health services they need to lead healthy lives,” said Florida Association of Managing Entities CEO Natalie K. Kelly.
Florida’s behavioral health safety net system connects Floridians with behavioral health providers–regardless of whether one is insured.
This safety net system consists of Florida’s seven behavioral health Managing Entities that work with a network of over 300 behavioral health care providers, delivering services to more than 300,000 of Florida’s most vulnerable residents, including: children, expectant mothers, veterans, and the chronically homeless.
Behavioral health providers within the network provide essential services, such as: as crisis stabilization, care coordination, housing, transportation, and employment. Care coordination is critical and ensures that people receive various services to meet their unique needs.
More information is available here.
Florida Association of Managing Entities Recognizes Suicide Prevention Month
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The rate of suicide in the U.S. reached the highest on record in 2022 with 46,369 lives lost to suicide. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the Florida Association of Managing Entities (FAME) reminds Floridians that behavioral health services are available.
According to the CDC, from 2011 to 2022, the number of suicides has increased by 16%. Federal data also shows an alarming increase in suicide rates among youth and young adults. From 2011 to 2021, the suicide rate among people ages 10-24 increased by 60%.
“It’s clear that the nation is in a mental health crisis. While there are a multitude of factors that are contributing to increased suicide rates, such as drug use, social isolation, social media, untreated mental health issues, and more, one thing is clear – we must continue to prioritize connecting life-saving behavioral health services with those who need it,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of FAME.
Florida’s seven Managing Entities oversee Florida’s behavioral health safety net system of more than 300 providers. The Managing Entities meet the unique needs of Florida’s communities. There are various programs that help stabilize individuals who need it and connect them with lifesaving behavioral health services, engaging partners such as the faith-based and veteran communities.
Some of these programs include: Mobile Response Teams of highly trained counselors that de-escalate situations; high level of care coordination for individuals; hospital bridge programs that coordinate services after an individual is stabilized in the emergency department; and school mental health services among other behavioral health services.
Florida’s Managing Entities collaborate with providers that deliver services to over 300,000 of Florida’s most vulnerable residents, including children, expectant mothers, veterans, and the chronically homeless. Additionally, the system provides nearly 1.7 million Floridians with preventative services and reaches hundreds of thousands more through indirect preventative services, such as education initiatives.
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About the Florida Association of Managing Entities
The Florida Association of Managing Entities (FAME) is the statewide organization representing Florida’s seven Managing Entities. FAME’s mission is to advance the behavioral health recovery of individuals and their families in the state of Florida. For more information, visit FLManagingEntities.com.
Peer Support Space Provides Twice Daily Group Sessions for Floridians With Post-Hurricane Anxiety
ORLANDO, Fla. – Peer Support Space, a provider within Behavioral Health Managing Entity Central Florida Cares’ network, is hosting twice daily group online sessions for those who have hurricane-related anxiety.
Interested Floridians, ages 18 and up, can join a session at either 12 p.m. or 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday by using the following link: https://peersupportspace.org/daily-gatherings
“There’s a significant emotional toll for individuals who have experienced a hurricane, and we’re grateful that Peer Support Space is offering these virtual group sessions to address the anxiety many Floridians are experiencing right now,” said Central Florida Cares CEO Maria Bledsoe.
About Central Florida Cares
Central Florida Cares Health System, Inc. is one of Florida’s seven Behavioral Health Managing Entities and has managed substance use and mental health services for Brevard, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties, and is supported by Florida’s Department of Children and Families. Central Florida Cares fund a services network of many organizations offering various levels of treatment options.