Commission signals one-time support for a central receiving facility for behavioral health

Following Meridian Behavioral Healthcare'9s annual report, which detailed service volumes, uncompensated-care costs and a 40% drop in children'9s engagement since March, the Alachua County Commission on Aug. 11 approved a motion expressing the county'9s intent to provide up to $250,000 in one-time matching funds toward a proposed central receiving facility.

Don Savoy, Meridian'9s CEO, described rapid telehealth expansion ("in a 2-week period in March we went from providing about 30 telehealth services a day to close to 400 a day") and flagged potential state funding cuts. Commissioners discussed governance, partner commitments and local matching. Commissioner Cornell moved that the commission express intent to provide one-time matching funding of $250,000, with the caveat that staff work with Meridian and regional partners to develop a detailed operational plan and governance structure; the motion passed unanimously.

Judge Nils and a multi-agency group were referenced as ready to form a Public Safety Coordinating Council subcommittee to develop the facility plan; the county'9s support is contingent on partner commitments and a detailed budget and operating plan. Staff will convene stakeholders to return with a governance plan and cost estimates.

Next steps: staff to coordinate with Meridian, the city and health partners to prepare an operational plan, governance structure and funding commitments; the commission expects further proposals for budget action or future-year allocation.