- April 22, 2024
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Flagler County officials received word earlier this month from its lobbyist in Tallahassee that its number one legislative funding priority from the state – $245,000 to create a mental health access point – survived the state budget process.
“I know it’s been a long time coming, and we are delighted by news of this grant,” said County Administrator Jerry Cameron. “For those who are not familiar, the 2008 downturn had many devastating effects in Flagler County – one of them was a rise in depression and suicide. Those numbers are worse since the pandemic.”
Cameron intends to propose to the Board of County Commissioners that the county bolster the funds being pledged by the state with money made available by the federal government through the American Rescue Plan.
“This would allow us to move forward with a more comprehensive solution to this very serious mental health problem we have here in Flagler County,” he said. “Addressing mental health, drug abuse, and suicide have been a priority for our community and the Board of County Commissioners.”
The legislative priority request specified that a Flagler County mental health access point would be a collaborative public-private partnership for a facility to be known as the “Flagler Access Care Center.” This initial funding will allow several private providers – specifically Flagler Health Plus, SMA Healthcare, and Phoenix Community Services – to operate the center without having to immediately concern itself with grant writing and fundraising.
“I am happy to have played a very small part in securing the funds for a much needed resource for Flagler County,” said Library Director and Legislative Liaison Holly Albanese, who wrote the county’s legislative priorities and has kept contact with the lobbyist.
The goal is to assist residents with mental illness in an informal, supportive environment. It is anticipated that the mental health access point will operate eight hours a day Monday through Friday.
“This funding is intended to resource an easily accessible point of service where members of the community can drop in without an appointment to receive a screening and assistance with coordinating a care plan that is appropriate to meet their behavioral health needs,” said SMA Healthcare Chief Operating Officer Rhonda Harvey. “The people of this community made it known that access to mental health care was of the highest import, and Flagler County, under Jerry Cameron’s leadership, responded. We are thrilled that he and his staff understand the need, and the fact that the benefits of this collaboration far exceed the costs of the investment.”
This funding priority would not have survived the budget process without the support of Flagler County’s Legislative Delegation: Senator Travis Hutson and Representative Paul Renner.
“I am both happy and excited to receive this funding in the budget this year,” Hutson said. “It has been an honor to work with the county and its elected officials to secure this vital funding.”
Renner was also pleased to have been part of the process.
“(This) aims to address the long-standing need for access to mental health services among the residents of Flagler County. I applaud County officials for coming to us with this project and am happy to have seen it through the state budget process,” Renner said. “Thank you to Senator Travis Hutson for carrying this appropriation in the Senate, and to Governor Ron DeSantis for understanding its importance to our community and signing off on its funding.”
