For Immediate Release
Monday, March 14, 2022
Contact: Mary Katherine Delegal
(850) 566-8065
The Florida Behavioral Health Association Applauds the Florida Legislature for Prioritizing Mental Health and Substance Use Funding in State Budget
Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Behavioral Health Association (FBHA) offers its deepest gratitude to the Florida Legislature for its powerful message of unprecedented commitment to the well-being of Floridians by increasing funding for community mental health and substance use disorder services in its FY 2022-2023 budget.
The Legislature funded a record $126 million in recurring general revenue and more than $50 million in one-time spend for community mental health and substance use disorder services. This investment provides a critical boost to community providers as they treat children and adults, fight the opioid epidemic, and soothe the pain and trauma of mental health crisis. Equally important, it strikes back at stigma, making life a little less complicated for individuals and families living with mental health and substance use disorders.
“The FBHA is deeply grateful to House Speaker Chris Sprowls, Senate President Wilton Simpson and the Florida Legislature for signaling its strong support of Florida’s community mental health and substance use disorder providers,” said FBHA President and CEO Melanie Brown-Woofter. “This recurring funding is the largest increase for services that we have seen in decades. It is key to ensuring that innovative, transformative care is available for Florida’s families in need – the impact is immediate and long-lasting.”
“Thank you to the Florida Legislature for the incredible commitment and investment in the mental health and substance use disorder community. We also thank Governor Ron DeSantis for leading the charge and making mental well-being a priority for all Floridians. The FBHA looks forward to his support when signing the budget,” said Brown-Woofter.
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The Florida Behavioral Health Association is a non-profit organization that provides statewide leadership on behavioral health policy and practice. FBHA supports member agencies offering services to those in need of mental health and substance use disorder assistance and support. Its members include a broad range of provider types, ranging from small specialty organizations to comprehensive treatment organizations with multiple locations within a geographic region. For more information, please visit www.floridabha.org