Rick Scott Proposes $19 Million on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Programs

After meeting with Department of Children and Families Sec. Mike Carroll on Monday, Gov. Rick Scott said he would propose more than $19 million to fund mental health and substance abuse programs. 

Scott called for $12.8 million for Community Behavioral Health Services, with  $3.7 million going to fund more Community Action Treatment (CAT) teams and $2.8 million to add more Family Intensive Treatment (FIT) teams.  
 
“It is critical that we do all we can to help individuals and families affected by mental illness and substance abuse in our state,” Scott said.  “The funding we are announcing today will work side-by-side with the pilot projects Secretary Carroll is conducting in Broward, Alachua and Pinellas counties to review services at the local level so we can understand how to better coordinate care across our state.  We want Florida to be the best state for families to live their dreams and we have to get better at supporting individuals and families affected by mental illness and substance abuse in their communities, instead of in the custody or supervision of the state.  We look forward to announcing more funding in our recommended budget for Floridians struggling with mental illness and substance abuse later this year.”

Carroll pointed to two executive orders Scott issued over the summer focusing on mental health and substance abuse. 
 
“Gov. Scott’s proposal today is fundamental to executing his Executive Order to develop a more integrated behavioral health service delivery system that will allow more individuals to live and be served in their own communities,” Carroll said. “We know that state funding alone will not produce better outcomes for those with mental illness and substance abuse needs, and that is why we are laser-focused on our pilot programs in Broward, Alachua and Pinellas counties so we can develop a more coordinated way to serve patients.  I truly appreciate Gov. Scott’s engagement on this critical issue and his commitment to funding these services in his budget.”