Subject:
Title
Renewal of the Behavioral Health Receiving System Plan and Behavioral Health Transportation Plan to support and facilitate access to the behavioral health receiving system for mental health and substance use.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the 2026-2029 Behavioral Health Receiving System Plan (Receiving System Plan) and 2026-2029 Behavioral Health Transportation Plan (Transportation Plan).
• Board approval will renew the Receiving System Plan and Transportation Plan through 2029, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements. The Receiving System Plan defines the county’s Designated Behavioral Health Receiving System (Receiving System), a tiered “No Wrong Door” model that ensures access to care regardless of entry point. The Transportation Plan outlines how the community facilitates access to the Receiving System. Including criteria for selecting transportation methods (e.g., law enforcement or emergency medical services), procedures for transfers between participating facilities, and respect for client choice of service providers.
• Updates include reorganizing the Receiving System Plan by service category, refreshing provider information, and integrating evidence-informed practices. The Transportation Plan now includes updated definitions, statutory alignment, provider updates, and new sections addressing client choice, medical emergency department transfers, and special populations (e.g., veterans, adults 65+, youth). The current Transportation Plan and Receiving System Plan must be renewed by May 23, 2026.
• The Board previously approved related plans in 2020 (file 20-780A) and 2023 (file 23-0730A).
• Consistent with Chapter 394 and 397, Florida Statutes, the Receiving System Plan and Transportation Plan were developed by the Pinellas County Acute Care Committee led by Central Florida Behavioral Health Network. These plans must be renewed every three years under legislative requirements (§394.493 and §394.4573).
• There is no fiscal impact.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Health and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health
2.2 Enhance community safety
Smart Service Delivery
4.2 Achieve and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction
4.4 Pursue continuous improvement
Summary:
Summary
Board approval of this item will renew the Receiving System Plan and the Transportation Plan through 2029, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements. Both plans were developed by the Pinellas County Acute Care Committee, led by CFBHN.
The Receiving System Plan defines the county’s Designated Behavioral Health Receiving System (Receiving System), a tiered “No Wrong Door” model that ensures access to care regardless of entry point.
The Transportation Plan outlines how the community facilitates access to the Receiving System. Including criteria for selecting transportation methods (e.g., law enforcement or emergency medical services), procedures for transfers between participating facilities, and respect for client choice of service providers.
Updates include reorganizing the Receiving System Plan by service category, refreshing provider information, and integrating evidence-informed practices. The Transportation Plan now includes updated definitions, statutory alignment, provider updates, and new sections addressing client choice, medical emergency department transfers, and special populations (e.g., veterans, adults 65+, youth).
The current Transportation Plan and Receiving System Plan must be renewed by May 23, 2026.
The Board previously approved related plans in 2020 (file 20-780A) and 2023 (file 23-0730A).
Body
Background Information:
Consistent with Chapter 394 and 397, Florida Statutes, the Receiving System Plan and Transportation Plan were developed by the Pinellas County Acute Care Committee led by CFBHN.
Pursuant to legislative updates in 2016 (§394.493 Transportation Plan) and 2020 (§ 394.4573 Receiving System) the County and CFBHN are required to maintain and renew a designated Receiving System Plan and Transportation Plan every three (3) years.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact.
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Central Florida Behavioral Health Network
Florida Department of Children and Families
Pinellas County Acute Care Committee
Attachments:
Behavioral Health Receiving System Plan
Behavioral Health Transportation Plan