Subject:
Title
Renewal of the Transportation Exception Plan for involuntary behavioral health transports to and between designated receiving facilities for the period of 2017 through 2020.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the Transportation Exception Plan (TEP) Renewal for the period from 2017 through 2020 for involuntary behavioral health transports to and between facilities within the designated receiving system in accordance for Florida Statute 394.462.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener, and purchaser of services for this in need
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
Pinellas County currently has a TEP in place that provides guidance for involuntary behavioral transports to and between facilities within the designated receiving system. In 2016, changes with the adoption of Senate Bill (SB) 12 required updates to local TEPs. The Pinellas County Acute Care Committee has reviewed and updated the TEP in collaboration with the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network.
The updated TEP is presented to the Board of County Commissioners (Board) for approval per statute and serves to renew the existing agreement through 2020.
Background/Explanation:
Following adoption of SB12 in 2016, updates to the existing TEP were necessary to address changes to Florida Statute 394 (Florida Mental Health Act, commonly referred to as the “Baker Act”), and Florida Statute 397 (commonly referred to as the Marchman Act). In Pinellas County, the Acute Care Committee for behavioral health services in collaboration with Central Florida Behavioral Health Network reviewed and updated the plan for submission to the Board. Board approval of the plan is required for compliance.
This TEP describes how the community shall support and facilitate access to the designated receiving system. This includes the circumstances to guide selection of the most appropriate transportation method (e.g., law enforcement or emergency medical services); how transportation between participating facilities is handled; and respect for individual choice of service providers.
Specifically, the TEP:
1. Describes arrangements for safe and dignified transportation that supports the designated receiving system.
2. Describes methods of transportation to a facility within the designated receiving system for individuals subject to involuntary examination.
3. Specifies how transportation for persons shall be provided to, from, or between participating facilities.
4. Complies with the transportation provisions of s. 394.462 and ss. 397.6772, 397.6795, and 397.697.
5. Designates a single law enforcement agency within the county, or portions thereof, to take a person into protective custody upon the entry of an ex parte order or the execution of a certificate for involuntary examination by an authorized professional and to provide transportation for that person to the appropriate facility within the designated receiving system for examination.
Pinellas Emergency Medical Services (EMS) participates in the Acute Care Committee and supports the TEP renewal. The TEP mirrors EMS field operations, protocols and the EMS write-off policy. As part of the 911 responses within the system, EMS had 5,676 patient transports via Sunstar Ambulance in 2016 related to psychiatric, mental health, and/or overdose emergencies. These services were valued at approximately $4.2 million with a total collection of $2.1 million, or 52.5%. Additionally, EMS had a $263,000 loss for system transports under Mental Health Van Transport services provided by Sunstar in FY2016.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no new fiscal impact from the TEP renewal. However EMS does support required transports within the EMS Fund and will continue to see unrecovered costs from these operations following the EMS write-off policy.
Staff Member Responsible:
Lourdes Benedict, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Florida Department of Children and Families
Central Florida Behavioral Health Network
Pinellas County Acute Care Committee
Attachments:
Pinellas Transportation Exception Plan 2017 to 2020
Pinellas County Acute Care Committee Membership List
Pinellas TEP Adults & Minors 2013 - 2018 Plan