Agenda Item Name:
Title
Review and Approval of the Revised Behavioral Health Transportation Plan 2020-2023 for Alachua County.
EndPresenter:
Stuart Wegener, (352) 548-3708
Description:
Review of the Behavioral Health Transportation Plan for Alachua County, with Recent Revisions for Those Individuals Transported Under the Baker or Marchman Acts
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Adopt the Revised Behavioral Health Transportation Plan for the County for 2020-2023
End
Prior Board Motions:
6/27/2017: Approval of the Alachua County Behavioral Health Transportation Plan for 2017-2020
11/20/2020: Approval of the Alachua County Behavioral Health Transportation Plan for 2020-2023
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
None
End
Background:
Senate Bill 12 was signed into law on April 15, 2016, providing for significant reforms to the State’s behavioral health system’s intake and referral processes. Importantly, the legislation called for the establishment of receiving systems that will function as a “No Wrong Door” model which ensures access to services regardless of where a person may enter the system of care. SB 12 called for multiple behavioral health care system changes, including DCF’s role and responsibilities; revision of applicable statutes; requirements for annual assessments of services; and, much more. Transportation of those with behavioral health needs was a major element of SB 12, especially those needing acute care services following the involuntary commitment of an individual under a Baker Act (mental health) or under a Marchman Act (substance abuse.)
Specifically, SB 12 required the development and approval of a local acute care receiving system plan and a local acute care transportation plan to support that receiving system plan. Each of Florida’s 67 counties was required to develop and approve a formal behavioral health transportation plan, and the plan must also be approved by the applicable Managing Entity (ME) established by DCF having responsibility for that county. The Managing Entity for Alachua County is Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) Health Systems. The presentation of our County’s original plan to DCF occurred on June 27, 2017 following BoCC approval.
The Plan described a coordinated system of care, which requires collaboration among the County’s receiving facilities, law enforcement, EMS and other entities in order to assure those being transported under the Baker or Marchman Acts have dedicated access to the acute care they need. The Plan specified the role of law enforcement agencies and emergency service providers to transport both adults and youth to specific receiving facilities. Alachua County’s behavioral health resources are explicitly outlined based upon the current receiving system. Services to help veterans under such circumstances are also identified. The Plan provides for flexibility in the transport of such individuals allowing for individual or family choice on the selection of a receiving facility for care.
The original Plan stood in place and effect until the fall of 2020. At this time, the programmed three-year sunset of all the State’s respective County plans took place and new plans from each County were required to be submitted by December 1, 2020. During the month of October, Court Services brought together all the organizations which had participated in the development of the first Plan to discuss any changes that were appropriate. This document was fully revisited, and some changes were recommended to the BoCC in a new Plan. On November 10, 2020, the BoCC approved the current Transportation Plan for 2020-2023 on consent. The Plan was immediately effective, and was shared with our Managing Entity, Lutheran Services Florida.
During February, 2021 it was announced by UF Health Shands Hospital that the designated receiving facility which the Archer Road-based hospital operated was being withdrawn from the array of such facilities. The full activities for those who are Baker Acted or Marchman Acted are now handled by the UF Health Psychiatric Hospital (formerly known as VISTA) which has 83 beds for Baker Act-related cases, the Archer Road site had 10 beds for this purpose ) This action necessitated a new review and amendment of the existing Plan, to drop the designated facility.
In May, 2021 Court Services invited all prior participants of deliberations for the development of a new Plan to come together once again to evaluate the Plan. Based on those discussions, the revised Plan presented for BoCC consideration includes the needed adjustment for UF Health Shands Hospital, and nothing more. This action will keep our document responsive to the identified change, and assists in meeting State guidelines under SB12 to maintain an up-to-date
.
The Behavioral Health Transportation Plan recommended entails recognition that once it is in place, the implementation of the Plan must be carefully monitored. A Transportation Plan Advisory Committee is, as before, included in the Plan, however a renewed commitment exists for this entity to meet regularly to review operation of the Plan once it is in place. A roster of the proposed Advisory Committee is again incorporated in the Plan.
As the BoCC is aware, there are currently efforts to advance the concept of a central receiving facility for the County’s existing behavioral health system to coordinate entry and to improve and enhance access to care. A special Subcommittee on Oversight to the Alachua County Public Safety Coordinating Council was established in July 2020 for this express purpose. The Plan before the BoCC, once approved, will need to be revisited to take into account changes in program development -like the addition of a central receiving facility would present for our community’s overall system.