Collier Coalition for Healthy Minds Charts the Course to Address the Most Critical Behavioral Health Needs and Works Together to Get it Done
What began as an unprecedented, community-wide process to address the mental health and addiction crisis facing Collier County in 2017 became a well-formulated, comprehensive plan that identified gaps, bottlenecks, and a list of top priorities. The effort charted the course for local leaders, government officials, and philanthropists to focus their collective response to fill the greatest needs that will improve the lives of those with mental health and substance use disorders and overall quality of life in Collier County.
The History of the Coalition
Through the vision and leadership of then Collier County Commissioner Andy Solis, a formal Ad Hoc committee was formed in 2019 to draft the County’s first-ever, five-year strategic plan for mental health and addiction services. The 2020-2024 plan included input from healthcare, social service, legal, and justice system professionals and advocates. After the Board approved the plan, the Ad Hoc committee was phased out, and the Collier Coalition for Healthy Minds was formed to mobilize the plan, including five priorities and two special considerations. Its #1 priority was to improve crisis support by building and operating a Central Receiving Facility approved by tax players in 2017 and funded through the sales surtax.
Challenges and Success of the 2020-2024 Plan
The Coalition and its members have spent the last five years building awareness about the challenges the community faces, advocating for change, growing its membership to maximize its impact, and advancing the plan’s priorities. As the first plan ends, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the challenges, celebrate the accomplishments, and forge ahead to keep the momentum moving forward so that no more lives are lost.
The Coalition’s efforts were compounded and, in some cases, nearly side-lined by the coronavirus pandemic, opioid epidemic, suicide crisis, an affordable housing crisis, several devasting, record-breaking hurricanes, and a tumultuous economic and divisive political environment. As an example, construction delays, increasing costs, community opposition, and stigma created significant challenges related to fully realizing the plan’s #1 priority. These challenges underscored the continued tenacity of the group to overcome difficulties and reinforced the urgency propelling the group to accomplish its goals.
Notable achievements from the first plan include:
Crisis Support: Secured $50 million from the sales surtax for the Collier Behavioral Health Center, finalized the building plan, and advanced toward construction. Created and enhanced systems and services to divert individuals in crisis from inpatient care.
Housing and Supportive Services: Made significant progress in addressing housing for those with mental health or substance use issues, with over 650 households assisted through prevention, 350 with rapid rehousing, and 144 placed in permanent supportive housing since 2019 and the addition of six homes providing 39 beds for Veterans.
Justice System Response: Through the efforts of Collier County Sheriff’s Office Behavioral Health Bureau and the County’s problem-solving courts, there continues to be improved results in recidivism and cost-avoidance. Law enforcement, corrections, local government, and the courts actively provide substance use and behavioral health intervention and treatment, including crisis response, diversion, and treatment services in the county jail. The Coalition launched a comprehensive quarterly behavioral health training program for Justice System professionals.
Data Collaborative: The data collaborative solicitation is still in procurement. Participation in the collaborative is required of the new Collier Behavioral Health Center and all opioid agreements.
Non-Emergency Transportation: Secured funding for a vehicle to transport individuals under the Baker Act and Marchman Act.
Prevention, Education, and Advocacy: The Coalition developed a brand, launched a website and social media platforms, conducted numerous community presentations to raise awareness about mental health and substance use disorders, and coordinated an advocacy campaign to support the additional funding needed for the Collier Behavioral Health Center.
Veterans and Older Adults: Increased access to evidence-based services and housing for seniors and Veterans
Looking Forward: The 2025-2029 Plan
Through funding from the Collier Community Foundation, the Coalition has spent the last six months working with a professional consultant to develop the next five-year strategic plan, which will go before the Collier County Board of Commissioners in 2025 for approval.
The Coalition has ranked the following strategies, in priority order, for the 2025-2029 plan:
Build and Operate a Central Receiving Facility/System for those in acute mental health or substance use crisis
Maintain & Increase Housing and Supportive Services for individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders
Strengthen the Behavioral Health Workforce
Increase the Capacity and Effectiveness of the Justice System in responding to mental illness and substance use disorders
Enhance Access to Housing and Services for Veterans
The consultant has not only helped guide the Coalition in solidifying the next priorities but has also helped formalize the Coalition’s structure for sustainability, including the development of bylaws, which included a new leadership and committee structure, a formal membership onboarding process, and a memorandum of agreements for partner organizations. The committee has also grown and engaged new leadership to help implement the next plan. With vital and committed representation from Commissioner Rick LoCastro, a Veteran and healthcare industry expert, and County Manager Amy Patterson, the energy and excitement from the group about the new plan is palpable at every meeting.
Collier Coalition for Healthy Minds’ vision for the future is to create a thriving community where every adult has access to comprehensive, evidence-informed mental health and substance use services, leading to improved lives and overall well-being. To accomplish this, they:
advocate for policies that prioritize prevention, identification, treatment, and support for mental health and substance use disorder
share information and collaborate across member organizations to build consensus around priority issues
leverage their resources to support legislators, policymakers, and community stakeholders in their efforts to advance policy and law related to mental health and substance use.
Learn how you can be part of the solution and engage with the Collier Coalition for Healthy Minds here.
