Subject:
Title
Grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, for Assisted Outpatient Treatment services for individuals with serious mental illness.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), for Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) services for individuals with serious mental illness.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener and purchaser of services for those in need
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
In June 2016, Pinellas County submitted a grant application for the AOT funding opportunity and was not initially awarded funding. Upon further review and funding availability, SAMHSA emailed the County to inquire about the County’s interest and capability to still implement the program. After the County responded with interest, SAMHSA issued a Notice of Award on 9/27/2018.
The AOT program allows the County to implement a new program within the mental health system to address an unmet need for individuals with a serious mental illness (SMI) who have been court-ordered to treatment. The County’s goals are to 1) reduce Baker Act re-admission rates among this population; 2) reduce interactions with law enforcement due to non-compliance with court orders; 3) improve integration with primary medical care and preventive health services; and 4) integrate key community programs including the jail diversion program with the courts, Public Defender’s office, public receiving facilities and treatment providers.
This program adds a new, dedicated treatment team within the community to focus on the ongoing stabilization of individuals under civil commitment. The County anticipates serving 100 clients/year or 400 over the lifetime of the grant.
Background Information:
The County is seeking to increase capacity of services and evidence based mental health services to approximately 100 adult individuals who have a SMI and have been court-ordered to receive treatment services. Serious mental illness includes those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, delusional disorder, and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Individuals with SMI have higher rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension, which negatively affect their quality of life and life expectancy. In addition, the symptoms associated with SMI often impair therapeutic compliance and self-care, resulting in higher rates of morbidity and mortality.
The County will partner with the County’s designated public receiving facility, Personal Enrichment for Mental Health Services (PEMHS), Directions for Living, the Public Defender’s office, and the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County for coordinated referral, treatment and supportive services. By assisting clients’ with discharge planning following assessment and evaluation, the program will provide a stable foundation to receive treatment for the client’s mental health disorders. Individuals will receive coordinated behavioral health services in a timely manner, reduce their chance for readmission or arrest, and benefit from a full array of services to ensure successful treatment outcomes.
Fiscal Impact:
The four-year federal grant award totals $4,013,640.00 with $1,022,160.00 in Year 1 and $997,160.00 per year for each of the remaining 3 years. There is no match required. This funding was not included in the FY19 Adopted Budget. It is anticipated that a Budget Resolution may be submitted in FY19 as a result of this award.
This is a new program that addresses an unmet need within the community and does not offset existing General Fund investments.
Staff Member Responsible:
Daisy Rodriguez, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Personal Enrichment for Mental Health Services (PEMHS)
Directions for Living
Pinellas County Public Defender’s Office
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County
University of South Florida, Florida Mental Health Institute
Pinellas County’s Sixth Judicial Circuit
Attachments:
Notice of Award
Final Grant Application Submission Package