Agenda Item Name:
Title
Chair letter to Mayor Poe regarding the Crisis Response System (CRS) Update and requesting increased funding to support capital improvements for a Central Receiving Facility (CRF)
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Presenter:
Claudia Tuck, 352-231-0588, Michael Arizmendi 352-275-4772
Description:
Chair letter addressed to Mayor Poe in response to the latest update on the CRS from the recent staff presentation outlining 3 alternatives and the need for increased capital funding. The letter requests additional financial support from the City of Gainesville to construct a brick-and-mortar location on the campus of a Public Receiving Facility with a CSU; and award designated construction and operation funds to Meridian.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the Chair letter.
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Prior Board Motions:
On 8/12/2021 the Board passed a 4 part motion: 1. Direct County staff to find and organize the funding to move forward with a Central Receiving Facility (CRF) for Alachua County and surrounding areas. 2. Authorize the Chair to transmit a letter of invitation to the City of Gainesville and area hospitals to participate in this program both operationally and financially. 3. Staff to develop an operational and oversight committee for the CRF and bring back to the Board. 4. Request staff and Meridian work to produce a 3-5 year plan that shows potential partners and funding sources with the goal that the program is not supported by the County’s General Fund in 3-5 years.
On 8/4/2020, at a Special Budget Meeting of the Board, the need for $250,000 in capital expenditures for a planned Central Receiving Facility was discussed. It was noted that a total contribution of $500,000 would be shared with the City of Gainesville with an equivalent share to be committed subsequently.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
n/a
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Strategic Guide:
Strategic Guide
Social and Economic Opportunity
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Background:
Work has continued toward developing a comprehensive approach to the development of a Central Receiving Facility, including to take it from planning stages into a reality for Alachua County. The CRF serves as the single point of entry into the behavioral health system for assessment, evaluation and placement of adults experiencing a crisis as defined by the Baker or Marchman Acts, children will be served as well.
In August, 2021 the BoCC met and provided County staff with targeted direction to be followed to advance toward a Central Receiving Facility. Since that time, two formal presentations have been made to the BoCC, including one presentation to a meeting of the combined City of Gainesville and the BoCC.
The latest update to this initiative was provided to the BoCC on May 10, 2022 and led to the determination of a specific course of action for the County to proceed upon. The recommendation from staff to the BoCC was to implement the Central Receiving Facility as a brick and mortar location on the campus of a Public Receiving Facility with a Crisis Stabilization Unit. This action was accompanied by a recommendation of an award to be made by the BoCC for designated construction and operational funds to Meridian Behavioral HealthCare.
A major element of the update on May 10, 2022 was to discuss strategies to meet capital needs identified by Meridian to prepare their facility to meet requirements of a fully designated and licensed Central Receiving Facility. The costs to include capital construction and rehabilitation for this project are presented by Meridian to be $1.5 million, which represent an increase of $500,000. Toward the sum, jointly the BoCC and the City of Gainesville had already committed $250,000 each. At its May 10, 2022 meeting, the BoCC committed an additional $250,000 in funding to assist in meeting the overall capital cost needs.
During this presentation, it was expressed by the BoCC that the City Commission be invited to increase its existing commitment toward this budget by $250,000 for a total commitment of $500,000 for capital costs. The letter prepared for the Chair and included herein as an attachment to this agenda item reflects the desired direction sought by the Board.