News
Three mental health services in Orlando area to merge
6.6.13
The Orlando Sentinel
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Read Obama’s Presidential Proclamation on National Mental Health Awareness Month
Editorial: Legislature’s $51 Billion Failure
5.16.13
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Editorial: Go With Negron's Plan For Florida's Uninsured
FCCMH
4.24.13
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Unemployment Drops to 7.5%
4.24.13
Speaker Will Weatherford Says 'Never Say Never' To Federal Money For Medicaid Alternatives
4.3.13
By Bob Sharpe, FCCMH
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Governor Scott: Florida Wins 2nd Medicaid Waiver Granting Flexibilities
2.20.13
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FCCMH Press Release: $5 for Hope Campaign
2.5.13
By Bob Sharpe, FCCMH
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Seminole charity helps decipher warning signs of mental illness
Orlando Sentinel
January 5, 2013
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Bob Sharpe: Mental health is a safety issue, too
Tallahassee Democrat
12.21.12
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Maggie Labarta: Let's not wait for the next tragedy
The Gainesville Sun
12.18.12
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Maggie Labarta: Give us the resources to treat victims of mental illness
Special to The Sun
9.17.12
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Tune in on Monday, September 10th at 10 a.m. EDT to view the live launch of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
American Association of Suicidology Statistics [pdf]
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Nonprofits Take Over Managing Services
9.4.12
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FADAA/FCCMH Annual Conference materials are now availabe
BayCare May Merge with Polk Hospital
BayCare Health System is discussing a consolidation with the largest hospital in Eastern Polk County.
8.27.12
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New Horizons Announces 2012 Mental Health Awareness 5K Run Walk
8.27.12
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Mental Health Conference Will Explore New Frontiers in Behavioral Health
Press release from FCCMH and FADAA
8.3.12
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Bob Sharpe interviewed by Capitol News Service on mental health funding and the Colorado shootings
Watch video
7.30.12
A More Unified Front Against Mental Illness
Tampa Bay Online Editorial
7.19.12
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) released a special report, Parity for Patriots: The Mental Health Needs of Military Personnel, Veterans and their Families.
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Nominations are being sought for the annual Florida Council for Community Mental Health (1) Direct Service Provider of the Year award, which recognizes outstanding behavioral health clinicians; (2) Supervisor/Administrator of the Year, which recognizes outstanding managerial staff; and (3) Peer Specialist of the Year, which recognizes outstanding employees with a mental illness. The deadline to submit your nominees is July 25th.
Mental Health Month Focuses on Ending Stigma and Improving Care.
Bob Sharpe
5.4.12
Mental Health Plan, State Settle Legal Plan
Bob Sharpe
5.1.12
The Board of Institute for Child & Family Health (ICFH) today announces the retirement of Robert D. Nolan, Ph.D. as Executive Director. Dr. Nolan served as the Executive Director for over 35 years, taking the organization from a few staff members serving a handful of children to 500 employees serving over 33,000 children.
4.12.12
Group asks feds to 'decisively reject' caps to Medicaid program
Florida Tribune
4.10.12
New Statewide Initiative Seeks to Overhaul Performance Measures for Florida’s Behavioral Health System
FCCMH Press Release
4.4.12
National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare Press Releases: Pilot Program Demonstrates Measureable Benefits for People with Schizophrenia
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Bob Sharpe: Don't base mental health budget cuts on myths, misguided perceptions
(South Florida Sun-Sentinel © 02/29/2012)
...time. In conjunction with the state Department of Children and Families, the Florida Council for Community Mental Health and the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association recently conducted independent studies ...active, productive lives. Bob Sharpe is the CEO and president of the Florida Council for Community Mental Health , based in Tallahassee. He may be contacted at (850) 224-6048 or BobSharpe@fccmh.
Budget talks to include mental health, drug treatment money
(Florida Times-Union © 02/29/2012)
...net of community mental health and substance abuse services. The sheriffs, the Florida Council for Community Mental Health and the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association, all call the Senate ...38 percent unmet need for adult substance abuse services, according to the Florida Council for Community Mental Health. So providers and law enforcement officials are hoping the House plan prevails.
Evidence-Based Practice: Proof that Mental Health Treatment Works
Bob Sharpe
2.7.12
Governor Rick Scott Delivers State-of-the-State Address, 1.10.12
Text [PDF]
Video
Nominations Now Open for 2012 Reintegration Awards and National Council Awards of Excellence
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A half-century of helping children through play therapy
Rebecca Burton
The Miami Herald, 1.03.12
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Former DOH chief of staff returning to Florida after heading Kansas welfare agency
Christine Jordan Sexton
12/19/2011
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Medicaid waiver receives Federal approval
Christine Jordan Sexton
12/15/2011
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A Fiscal Survey of States
National Governors Association
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In Florida, Mentally Ill Suffer Abuse And Neglect
by Kenny Malone, NPR
November 29, 2011
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State Mental Health Cuts: The Continuing Crisis
In March, 2011, NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, released State Mental Health Cuts: A National Crisis, a report documenting deep cuts to state spending on services for children and adults living with serious mental illness. These cuts, which occurred between 2009 and 2011, led to significant reductions in both hospital and community services for vulnerable individuals with serious mental illness.
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The U.S. Supreme Court announced today it will take up a Florida case challenging the federal health care law that among other provisions requires citizens to have health care coverage. Florida, 25 other states, and the National Federation of Independent Business have joined in a suit challenging the federal law.
(News Service of Florida, 11/14/11)
Assisted Living Panel Takes Up Reform Measures Monday, November 7, 2011
With abuses at Florida’s assisted living facilities in the spotlight after a scathing newspaper expose, Gov. Rick Scott’s ALF Task Force will meet Monday and Tuesday in Miami to consider raising standards and toughening sanctions. Panel chairman Larry Polivka, a scholar-in-residence at Florida State University’s Claude Pepper Foundation, said he’s optimistic that some of the dozens of recommendations will be submitted to Scott and the Legislature. We need to have folks who are better trained and better prepared, he said. We also need to look more closely at sanctions for facilities with chronic problems. The state’s ALF population has doubled in the last 12 years, to more than 82,000 beds, and is expected to double again in the next ten years. But in May, the Miami Herald series Neglected to Death depicted such hair-raising abuses that it touched off a crackdown by the state and, this week, a closer look by Congress and federal regulators. We need to make sure it remains an effective resource and that people can live well and free of danger in those facilities, said Polivka. The Florida Senate is planning a joint meeting on the ALF situation by its committees on Children, Families and Elder Affairs and Health Regulation. Attending the workgroup meeting in Miami: Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Brandon, a member of the panel, and Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston and the Senate Democratic Leader. (The News Service of Florida, 11/4/11)
Prescription Painkiller Overdoses in the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control
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Senate panel demands answers to crisis in ALF care
The Miami Herald
November 2, 2011
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DCF Secretary David Wilkins and Rep. Jimmy Patronis Visit Life Management Center of Northwest Florida
Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary David Wilkins and Representative Jimmy Patronis paid a visit to Life Management Center of Northwest Florida on Wednesday, July 20. An integral part of the Northwest Florida community, Life Management Center provides mental and behavioral health services in six Northwest Florida counties: Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
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Workgroup Established to Examine Assisted Living Facilities
Carrying out Governor Rick Scott’s directive to examine the regulation and
oversight of assisted living facilities in Florida, the Agency for Health Care Administration
(AHCA) announced the creation of the Assisted Living Workgroup. The workgroup’s objective is
to make recommendations that will improve the monitoring and safety in assisted living
facilities.
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FCCMH/FCBH Announces 2011-2012 Officers
Nominations are being sought for the annual Florida Council for Community Mental Health (1) Direct Service Provider of the Year award, which recognizes outstanding behavioral health clinicians; (2) Supervisor/Administrator of the Year, which recognizes outstanding managerial staff; and (3) Peer Specialist of the Year, which recognizes outstanding employees with a mental illness. The nominees and winners will be announced during the joint conference at the awards luncheon on Thursday, August 25th. The deadline to submit your nominees is August 1st. Below are the applications for each award category.
Direct Service Provider of the Year Award
Administrator/Supervisor of the Year Award
Peer Specialist of the Year Award
House passes tax break for prepaid limited mental health plans
Christine Jordan Sexton
4.20.11
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The Florida Senate wants to cut $180 million from adult community mental health services, eliminating the capacity to serve more than 180,000 Floridians who cannot afford to pay for their treatment. But those are just the numbers. What about the people...the Floridians who are receiving treatment now or who are well now because of past services? Here's a look at some of them!
4.19.11
The $160 million cuts to mental health and substance abuse programs the Senate are considering will affect every community statewide. Here's a letter from Pattie Hunt in the St. Augustine record speaking out against the proposed cuts.
4.1.11
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Bob Sharpe, President and CEO of FCCMH, speaks out against the proposed cuts in the Naples Daily News. Now is the time to write your local newspaper and let your Senator know you don't support these cuts!
4.1.11
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Drastic cuts could close mental health centers
3.30.11
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A short video put together using footage from Behavioral Health Day about why mental health and substance abuse programs are important to Florida's communities!
3.15.11
Watch video
The Behavioral Health Day "Rally at the Capitol" was amazing!
Read more
3.11.11
Behavioral Health Advocates and Leaders “Rally at the Capitol”
3.8.11
Read more [PDF]
Florida's Medicaid director leaving her job
A top state official charged with helping overhaul the state’s $22 billion Medicaid program is leaving her job.
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Neglected to Death: Once Pride of Florida; Now Scenes of Neglect
Miami Herald Three Part Series
By Rob Barry, Michael Sallah, and Carol Marbin Miller
April 30, 2011
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Innovative Internships with Businesses Open Job Opportunities for Floridians Overcoming Mental Illnesses
DOE Press Office
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
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House passes tax break for prepaid limited mental health plans
Christine Jordan Sexton
4.20.11
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The Florida Senate wants to cut $180 million from adult community mental health services, eliminating the capacity to serve more than 180,000 Floridians who cannot afford to pay for their treatment. But those are just the numbers. What about the people...the Floridians who are receiving treatment now or who are well now because of past services? Here's a look at some of them!
4.19.11
Cuts Don't Add Up: Senate’s Budget Proposals = One Confusing Equation
By Bob Sharpe
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Behavioral Health Day
Watch a short video put together using footage from Behavioral Health Day about why mental health and substance abuse programs are important to Florida's communities!
3.15.11
Watch video
The Behavioral Health Day "Rally at the Capitol" was amazing!
We appreciate all of the partners and individuals that helped us educate our legislators on why funding mental health and substance abuse services is a great use of taxpayers' dollars. Photos from Behavioral Health Day 2011 are now available!
Behavioral Health Advocates and Leaders “Rally at the Capitol” (March 9, 2011)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Hundreds of mental health and substance abuse service recipients, advocates, experts and political leaders will join forces today at the front of the Old Capitol for a "Rally at the Capitol" as part of Florida’s fifth annual Behavioral Health Day. The rally is designed to shine a spotlight on behavioral health issues and educate Florida legislators and policy leaders on the high cost of further cuts to community-based mental health and substance abuse services.
Read more [PDF]
GOP Funding Bill Cuts Mental Health Services
The House Republican Majority has released a spending bill for the remainder of the fiscal year that makes deep cuts in funding for mental health and substance use services. The package includes a $200 million cut to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, over a $1 billion cut to the National Institutes of Health and similar, significant cuts to juvenile justice and housing programs. The House will vote this week to finalize the cuts. (MHH Reporting 2/14/11)
Guest column: Spare Mental Health from Big Cuts
By Bob Sharpe
The Florida Times Union
2.3.11
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Guest commentary: Mental-health Funding Necessary to Prevent Tragedies
By Kathryn Hunter and David Schimmel
Naples News
1.13.11
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DCF Awards $3.8 Million to Provide Housing, Prevent Evictions
Read more [PDF]
Cause and Effect in the Tucson Shooting
By Maggie Labarta
The Gainesville Sun
1.12.11
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Executive Order 11-01 Regulatory Reform
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The Institute for Child and Family Health is Awarded $1.2 Million
Read the press release [PDF]
DCF Budget Cuts Expected to Wreak Havoc on Florida’s Communities
Read the press release [PDF]
Read our letter to all legislators [PDF]