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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Aug. 28, 2020

Florida Association of Managing Entities Highlights Mental Health Services During National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With mental health concerns escalating and one-fourth of young adults seriously considering suicide as the COVID-19 crisis persists, a leading behavioral health services organization is highlighting Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September. The Florida Association of Managing Entities, the statewide behavioral health care safety net, encourages Floridians who need help during these stressful times to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text “Hello” to 741741 to be connected with a crisis counselor.

A recent survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 25% of respondents ages 18 to 24 had seriously considered suicide during the past month, making it more important than ever that Floridians be aware of mental health services available to them. Florida’s seven Managing Entities are non-profit organizations that manage more than 300 providers that deliver mental health and substance abuse services to more than 300,000 low-income individuals. In order to maintain this important care during the COVID-19 pandemic, providers have made the shift to telehealth and telephonic services.

“Since the start of COVID-19, we have seen continued requests for mental health and substance abuse services from Floridians,” said Natalie K. Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “Because of the obstacles preventing them from seeing many of their patients in person right now, providers are committed  to meeting Floridians’ mental health care needs however it takes – including by telehealth and telephone.”

In addition to behavioral health services, the Managing Entities system provides “wraparound services” that address housing, employment, and transportation needs.

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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 IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 19, 2020

Behavioral Health Services Safety Net System Applauds Governor, First Lady for Dedication to Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

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 their dedication to addressing mental health and substance abuse issues amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Maria Bledsoe, Chief Executive Officer of Central Florida Cares Health System and head of the Managing Entity for Central Florida, participated in a mental health roundtable discussion hosted by the Governor and First Lady in Altamonte Springs.

“On behalf of all Managing Entities around the state, I’m grateful to the Governor and First Lady for the opportunity to participate in today’s roundtable and present our perspective on serving low-income Floridians struggling with substance abuse and mental illness, “Bledsoe said. “I commend their continuous efforts to raise awareness about the importance of behavioral health care services.”

Added Natalie K. Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities: “Due to COVID-19, we’re seeing a continued demand for both substance abuse and mental health services. We must continue to provide the behavioral health services Floridians need to live to their fullest potential, and we thank the Governor and First Lady for continuing to make behavioral health care services a top priority.”

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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 5, 2020

Florida Association of Managing Entities Commends Presidential Order Expanding Telehealth Services

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Association of Managing Entities (FAME) today said a new presidential executive order will help Floridians well into the future by expanding telehealth options permanently, beyond the immediate COVID-19 crisis. The executive order focuses on improving health care access for rural communities by removing regulatory burdens and creating new mental health initiatives.

Florida’s Managing Entities administer the state’s behavioral health safety net system, which provides mental health and substance abuse services to 300,000 low-income Floridians. Telehealth services help those with limited access to traditional care. President Trump’s executive order will expand access by reducing restrictions. The executive order also commits the government to invest in improving the physical and communications infrastructure of health care for Americans.

“We applaud President Trump and his administration for removing barriers to telehealth services as this will expand access to critical mental health care for elderly, disabled, and low-income populations,” said Natalie Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of FAME. “The order reinforces the value these services provide to people in need beyond times of crisis, and we hope it will be the first of many steps to fully embrace telehealth care for the long term.”

The COVID-19 crisis has limited access to in-person hospital and clinical care for patients across Florida and the nation. In response, the use of telehealth services has dramatically increased. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that virtual visits for Medicare and Medicaid patients skyrocketed from approximately 14,000 visits before COVID-19 to about 1.7 million virtual visits at the end of April.

FAME has seen a similar trend of Floridians within safety net system using telehealth services, especially telephonic or audio-only telehealth services. During the earliest days of the crisis, in March and April, data from over 300 mental health and substance abuse providers in all 67 Florida counties showed a 300% increase in the use of telephonic services by Floridians receiving behavioral care services. Since then, the number of telehealth services reported by the Managing Entities has remained at this elevated level, making this an issue that Florida lawmakers will have to face on a state level as well.

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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 IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 16, 2020

Managing Entities Help Keep Behavioral Health Services Accessible During COVID-19

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, many individuals across Florida are facing increased challenges including stress, depression, struggles with mental health issues, and addictions. To help, Florida’s seven Managing Entities are ensuring that essential behavioral health care services remain available to all who need them, regardless of financial circumstances or access to insurance.

“It is critical that Floridians know there are mental health and substance use services for those in need of help during this crisis,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “Florida’s statewide safety-net network of providers has made innovative adjustments to preserve behavioral health access for new and existing clients. Florida’s Managing Entities are ensuring that Floridians do not fall through the cracks and that they get the support they need during this time of uncertainty.”

Managing Entities are nonprofit organizations created by the Florida Legislature to manage the local behavioral health safety net system on behalf of the State of Florida. As the pandemic has taken a toll on the mental health of Floridians, Managing Entities have been working without interruption to mitigate its effects by ensuring access to mental health care in the face of business closures and personal protection equipment (PPE) shortages.

Working with the Department of Children & Families, the state Emergency Operations Center, and the Governor’s Office, the Managing Entities have been finding ways to help providers sustain business operations in order to continue taking clients. The Florida Association of Managing Entities has secured PPE for frontline workers in behavioral health facilities across the state. Managing Entities have also worked with providers to quickly transition to virtual care options, including telephone and telehealth methods, to provide care including outpatient services.

Managing Entities and the network of over 300 behavioral health providers they manage are committed to respecting guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Governor Ron DeSantis, in order to remain open and continue safely serving both new and existing patients.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 16, 2020

Local officials, business leaders celebrate partnership to provide mental health professionals with PPE

~ YMP Real Estate Management donates 5,000 KN95 masks to local Managing Entity ~

HIALEAH, Fla. – Miami-Dade County’s efforts to support the mental well-being of residents received a major boost when Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez, Commissioner Esteban “Steve” Bovo, and John W. Newcomer, M.D., gathered at Citrus Health Network to receive a donation of 5,000 KN95 masks from local real estate executive Moshe Popack. The masks were donated to Thriving Mind | South Florida, the Managing Entity tasked with managing the mental health and substance abuse safety net system for Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

“I want to thank Moshe Popack for his generosity,” said Mayor Gimenez. “May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, so this donation goes a long way to help our community meet the mental health care needs of the uninsured residents whom Managing Entities serve.”

The donated KN95 masks will greatly enhance the ability of mental health and substance abuse providers to treat patients dealing with the extraordinary challenges brought on by the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to receiving state funding, Managing Entities work to secure outside funding and resources to bolster the safety net system through grants and community partnerships like this one. This donation fills an important need for residential and in-person facilities that treat those in crisis, where personal protection equipment (PPE) is necessary to continue offering safe treatment.

“Access to effective services is always important, but the need for services has clearly persisted and even increased in several ways during this pandemic,” said Dr. Newcomer, President & CEO of Thriving Mind. “We would not be able to do this without community partnerships that include Miami Dade County, particularly our partnerships with the schools, law enforcement, and the courts, and of course, generous support from individuals like Mr. Moshe Popack.”

South Florida has been the site of Florida’s largest number of COVID-19 cases, and the need for mental health and substance abuse services has reflected that. In an effort to address this surge, local leaders have prioritized mental health and are encouraging partnerships like this one to help increase access to vital health care services.

“I want to thank Moshe Popack for his generous donation of five thousand KN95 masks to our front-line health professionals at Thriving Mind | South Florida amid the coronavirus pandemic. Due to social isolation and economic uncertainty, many in our community have felt the ominous impact of serious mental distress,” said Commissioner Bovo. “This is further exacerbated for some who were already facing mental health challenges in their everyday life. I am proud to join Mayor Gimenez in thanking Moshe for this donation to our health heroes as they assist those suffering from mental health conditions.”

Moshe Popack is a Miami Beach resident and Chairman & CEO of YMP Real Estate Management, a top real estate investment firm that spans five states and includes both residential and commercial properties. He and his wife, Yaffa, are active in a number of philanthropic endeavors in South Florida revolving around mental health initiatives, healthy nutrition, and food access for low-income families, as well as numerous Jewish community family and faith programs.

“I am pleased to provide some PPE assistance in the form of 5,000 KN95 masks for the safety of our front-line health care workers, particularly as they serve the needs of the behavioral health patient community,” Popack said. “I am grateful to both Mayor Gimenez and Commissioner Bovo for helping coordinate this donation to Thriving Mind | South Florida.”

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