Resolution 035-2011Commissioner David Rice
RESOLUTION NO. 035 - 2011
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO THE COUNTY'S STATE
LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION, ON BEHALF OF THE NUMEROUS
INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN MONROE COUNTY THAT RECEIVE
MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES FUNDED
THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO
VARIOUS SERVICE PROVIDERS, AGAINST ANY FURTHER CUTS TO
THE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE STATE FUNDING.
WHEREAS, there are numerous individuals residing in Monroe County receiving mental
health and substance abuse services through programs funded by the State through the
Department of Children and Families to the area service providers;
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature is raising serious questions regarding whether or not
the state can simply rely on the Medicaid program for its mental health and substance abuse
care, and eliminate all or most of the mental health and substance abuse services administered
through the Department of Children and Families; and
WHEREAS, Medicaid does not cover many mental health and substance abuse
individuals because they do not meet the restrictive federal disability criteria or their income
levels are slightly above the poverty income threshold that qualifies them for Medicaid; and
WHEREAS, Florida would lose all federal mental health and substance abuse block grant
funding for failing to maintain a state treatment system; and
WHEREAS, if the Legislature is successful with their proposals, Monroe County will see a
marked increase in emergency room and hospital admissions, forensic commitments, county
jail admissions, prison incarcerations, and homelessness would undoubtedly increase; and
WHEREAS, the Courts and law enforcement would lose their safety net of emergency
room crisis services they have depended upon for decades; and
WHEREAS, Florida ranks 49 in mental health funding and 35 in substance abuse
funding. It is an undisputed fact that investing in mental health and substance abuse services
saves tax payer dollars by keeping individuals out of costly hospital stays, jails, and the other
services mentioned above.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners for Monroe
County, Florida:
Section 1: The foregoing recitals contained in the preamble to this Resolution are
incorporated by reference herein.
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Commissioner David Rice
Section 2: This Board supports a copy of this Resolution being sent to the County's
Legislative Delegation and to the Chair of the Senate Budget subcommittee of Health and
Human Services requesting the State to continue funding mental health and substance abuse
services with no cuts to an already poorly funded system.
Section 3: The County Clerk shall forward this Resolution to all appropriate persons
and parties for the County's Legislative Delegation: Rep. Ron Saunders, State House of
Representatives, 316 The Capitol, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399 -1300;
Sen. Larcenia Bullard, Florida Senate, 218 Senate Office Building, 404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399 -1100; and to Sen. Joe Negron, Chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee
for Health and Human Services, 404 S. Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399 -1100.
Section 4: This Resolution shall take effect upon its adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida at a regular meeting held on the 16 day of February 2011.
Mayor Heather Carruthers Yes
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Mayor Pro Tern David Rice Yes
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Commissioner Sylvia Murphy Yes
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Commissioner George Neugent Yes
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Commissioner Kim Wigington Yes
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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OF MONROE COU , FLORIDA
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BY:
Mayor eat a arruthers
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Afi3ES� ANNY L. KOLHAGE, CLERK
By:.
Deputy Clerk
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