Behavioral health services have been a priority of Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis and the Legislature in recent years. With soaring mental health and substance use disorder issues exacerbated by the pandemic, a key part of discussions is how these vital services are delivered. Results of a just-released survey of 500 Florida voters (representative by age, race, gender, and political affiliation, with a margin of error of +/- 4.2% at the 95% confidence level) show that 79% believe that locally-based agencies better serve Florida’s behavioral health needs than a centralized structure, as local agencies are best able to tailor services to the needs of the communities.
“Florida’s seven Managing Entities work with their network of providers to meet the unique needs of their communities in a cost-effective and accountable manner,” said FAME CEO Natalie K. Kelly.
Florida’s seven local Managing Entities work with a network of over 300 behavioral health care providers who deliver services to over 300,000 of Florida’s most vulnerable residents, including children, expectant mothers, veterans, and the chronically homeless.
Providers meet patients’ diverse needs with “wraparound services” that not only address mental health issues and substance abuse, but also assist with housing, transportation, and employment. Community boards administer, manage, and ensure accountability of state and federal funds for behavioral health services, keeping oversight and accountability closest to the people they serve.
About the Florida Association of Managing Entities
The Florida Association of Managing Entities (FAME) is the statewide organization representing Florida’s seven Managing Entities. FAME’s mission is to advance the behavioral health recovery of individuals and their families in the state of Florida. For more information, visit FLManagingEntities.com.
