Resolution 078-2005
February 2005
Commissioner Rice
RESOLUTION #
078-2005
A RESOLUTION OF THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
SUPPORTING BAKER ACT REFORM AND SUPPORTING
EFFORTS BY THE LOWER KEYS MEDICAL CENTER TO
OBTAIN FUNDING FOR ITS DEPOO FACILITY FOR BAKER
ACT SERVICES; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, the Baker Act, a Florida Law, allows for involuntary examination of persons
thought to be a danger to themselves or others for a period of up to 72 hours and
WHEREAS, mental health and law enforcement professionals have come to understand that
legal limitations inherent in the Baker Act lead to insufficient care of the mentally ill; and
WHEREAS, there is a tension between the right of the mentially ill person to be "free" and the
right to obtain treatment that the person may be too ill to recognize he or she needs; and
WHEREAS, Baker Act reform would allow, as 41 other states already allow, court-ordered
involuntary commitment and outpatient treatment; and
WHEREAS, in Key West, the DePoo Facility of the Lower Keys Medical Center ("DePoo") is a
Baker Act receiving facility; and
WHEREAS, in 2003, DePoo received approximately 400 Baker Act patients, or 57% of all such
Baker Act patients in Monroe County; and
WHEREAS, DePoo has been unsuccessful in obtaining necessary funding to care for Baker Act
patients in the Lower Keys, thereby jeopardizing its ability to provide this service in the future; and
WHEREAS, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognizes the urgent need to
care for the mentally ill in the community, as well as the connection between mental health and
homelessness;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: That the Baker Act reform is hereby supported.
Section 2: That funding for the DePoo Facility to provide full services to Baker Act patients is
hereby supported.
Section 3: That the County Clerk is hereby authorized to transmit certified copies of this
Resolution to the Department of Children and Family Services, to the Key West City Council, City of
Key West, and to Senator Larcenia Bullard and State Representative Ken Sorensen.
Section 4: That this Resolution shall go into effect immediately upon its passage and adoption
and authentication by the signature of the presiding officer and the County Clerk.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida at a meeting
of said Board held on the 16th day of Februarv, A.D., 2005.
Mayor Dixie M. Spehar Yes
Mayor Pro Tern Charles "Sonny" McCoy Yes
Commissioner George Neugent -Y.e..s..
Commissioner David P. Rice ~
Commissioner Murray E. Nelson Yes
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OFMONROECOUN~~FLO~DA~
By "tftJu ///. ~M..J
Mayor/Chairman
DIXIE M. SPEHAR
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Jeb Bush
Governor
Lucy D. Hadi
Secretary
April 20, 2005
Mr. Danny L. Kolhage
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Monroe County Courthouse
500 Whitehead Street, Suite 101
Key West, Florida 33040
Dear Mr. Kolhage:
Thank you for your April 13 letter to the Secretary of the Department of Children
and Families. Secretary Hadi has asked that I respond on her behalf.
The department appreciates your support with Resolution Number 078-2005, the
Baker Act and the efforts of the Lower Keys Medical Center to obtain funding for
Baker Act Services.
We are committed to meeting the needs of individuals in crisis throughout our
state. The department values our partnership with county government.
Thank you for your commitment for individuals with mental health needs.
Sincerely,
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Roderick L. Hall, Ph.D., Director
Mental Health Program Office
cc: Silvia Quintana, District 11, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program
Office, Program Supervisor
1317 Winewood Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700
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The Department of Children and Families is committed to working in partnership with local
communities to ensure safety, well-being and self-sufficiency for the people we serve.
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THE FLORIDA SENATE
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1100
COMMITTEES:
Agriculture, Vice Chair
Education
Education Appropriations
Transportation
JOINT COMMITTEE:
Administrative Procedures
SENATOR LARCENIA J. BULLARD
39th District
May 11,2005
Pamela Hancock
Deputy Clerk
Monroe County Courthouse
500 Whitehead Street, Ste 101
Key West, FL 33040
Dear Ms. Hancock:
I am in receipt of Resolution No. 078 of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
supporting Baker Act Reform and supporting the efforts of the Lower Keys Medical Center to
obtain funding for its DePoo Facility for Baker Act Services. This information has been
reviewed and filed for future reference.
If my office may assist you, please call (305) 668-7344.
Sincerely,
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Senator Larcenia Bullard
39th District
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REPLY TO:
08603 South Dixie Highway, Suite 304, Miami, Florida 33143 (305) 668-7344
o 218 Senate Office Building, 404 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1100 (850) 487-5127
Senate's Website: www.flsenale,gov
TOM LEE
President of the Senate
CHARLIE CLARY
President Pro Tempore