FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – After the catastrophic devastation caused by Hurricane Ian in southwest Florida, Central Florida Behavioral Health Network has opened a behavioral health Recovery Operations Center (ROC) to help their behavioral health care providers in the affected areas resume operations and restore behavioral health services as quickly as possible. 

“Hurricane Ian has caused heartbreaking and unimaginable devastation,” said CFBHN CEO Linda McKinnon. “In this difficult time, it is critical that individuals are able to receive the behavioral health care services they rely on to lead healthy lives, which is why we are working tirelessly to support our providers so they can service those who need them most.”

The behavioral health ROC is currently operating on a priority plan which includes:

  • Restoring behavioral health care services, such as Crisis Stabilization and Detox Units, mobile response units, and the 988 and 211 crisis hotlines;
  • Assessing and reporting network capacity, including staffing, facilities, communications, and other logistics;
  • Responding to recovery center mission requests; and
  • Restoring medicine distribution. 

Central Florida Behavioral Health Network is one of Florida’s seven managing entities that oversees behavioral health providers who serve uninsured Floridians. The ROC is assisting all counties within its network with a priority focus on: Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties. 

It is important to note that the behavioral health ROC is not for the general population, it is a center focused on supporting providers so they can resume services to ensure access to behavioral health services for those impacted by Hurricane Ian.

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About Central Florida Behavioral Health Network
Central Florida Behavioral Health Network (CFBHN) is one of seven Managing Entities of the Florida Association of Managing Entities, a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation, and a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International Accredited Services Management Network organization. CFBHN contracts with community service organizations to provide a full array of publicly funded mental health and substance abuse services in the SunCoast counties of Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota. Services include acute care, residential treatment, housing, medical, outpatient, recovery support, and prevention.