[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6474528,"mediaKeyId","5808466-71bdc160655fd6ed94997c1953d52dd5","parentId",5808466,"title","County budget office reports restoration of legacy CBO funding and cancellation of new RFP process","audioSeconds",144,"startMs",2583000,"endMs",2727000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5808466-71bdc160655fd6ed94997c1953d52dd5&start=2583&end=2727","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5808466-71bdc160655fd6ed94997c1953d52dd5/thumbnail_2583000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6474528/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/County-budget-office-reports-restoration-of-legacy-CBO-funding-and-cancellation-of-new-RFP-process","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474528-67e5ed9f0ca608627cb2c923256dcd6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139570&Signature=cEFvWCaCmrZBwAw7lo32nVa5ExdMuDE9H18aR5KlKVgvBvAqpV4EiXrPkeXR56bBhxiLX2hR~PeAHKueWXkXRQzo2DAb-FNWf6YYlCROybvWUhp6NnZOravPiKV3TG8oAG2suwEFc2HvzHqoAORf7QcrCoqZSrfzeybrjQLlyG0pWCBNImYHmU-jQfleeCoa5xynTLcEDe7JJdGYF6A4SGSzynFFz7zTFSd9wHrjgPmpWptoi7cg2t24MjyseSJvoKffjodG0lTPdSnpSQBlUsyZOBCmo6BQ3A1x6sWEpIhVNVuxznEQp8fCNSSrkGKe275weEG0ZhtuU-d6oAZ9jQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Miami-Dade County","date","2025-09-22T00:00:00Z","article","Dan Wall from the county budget office briefed the Behavioral Health Advisory Board on the county's recent budget action, telling the board that the Board of County Commissioners amended the adopted budget to restore prior recurring funding to many community‑based organizations.

Wall said the board’s amendment effectively returned several organizations to prior‑year funding levels, incorporated change memos into the adopted budget and cancelled the previously planned new CBO RFP process. He also said the commission approved establishing a CBO trust fund for future allocations. Wall said a revised listing of allocations would be distributed once the budget section finalizes the updated schedule.

NAMI’s Susan Holtzman raised a question about whether NAMI Miami‑Dade’s funding had been fully restored; Wall said allocations were amended across multiple lists and that staff would provide the revised allocation sheet so organizations could verify their final amounts.

Senator Renee Garcia thanked the commission and mayor’s office for work to restore funding and directed staff to share the revised allocation listing with the board and community partners for transparency and follow‑up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Miami-Dade County - Behavioral Health Advisory Board","oneSentenceSummary","A county budget representative said the Board of County Commissioners amended the budget to restore prior-year recurring allocations to many community‑based organizations, canceled the planned new CBO RFP, and established a CBO trust fund; local agencies at the meeting sought clarification on specific allocations.","taxTitle","Miami-Dade County, Florida","taxId",2864,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6474531,"County official says merged departments will oversee mental health facility; board discusses forensic backlog and need for supportive housing",225,4620000,4845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5808466-71bdc160655fd6ed94997c1953d52dd5&start=4620&end=4845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5808466-71bdc160655fd6ed94997c1953d52dd5/thumbnail_4620000.jpg","/articles/6474531/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/County-official-says-merged-departments-will-oversee-mental-health-facility-board-discusses-forensic-backlog-and-need-for-supportive-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474531-8219608b793c760b0c9382085dfcbb1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139570&Signature=AhcSUkVEP8W10oSIOSY2kIFxoK5JPUTKZfT4vpq7OyHbvxizd4fV7xQwD0CC5Ww~vLDNiE78fkoCMeCZbJcIAnHcig41Ip0lddrq88IfvAd3sfjVvCCZAkLWdca1YhHSZKzO13b85s4VF6WjS8w9Mmz7qUF3ATvOcGfdnluh1VvmiFfQhMvXM3oU3SQWibVHeKqZ7LRub6phwnVXvvZ3J0dCDnAyX5cXBCOA4kssUChRUMozU0bxr6GMErtNODr0J7I~QPgpAsBSxgLc9Pnn4YYcOAgnn9OZT~X1FFOF~Btm7EKdx6ijUrdw2WaTst8D7hFkrXEPKpIBS12PXtbqWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kathy Burgos told the Behavioral Health Advisory Board that Miami‑Dade County has merged Community Action Human Services and Juvenile Services and that the merged department will oversee the planned county mental health facility.

Burgos, who said she will oversee the merged department, told the board the county can begin services once the budget item passes and licensing is completed. She said the building itself requires additional build‑out—specifically a kitchen and work on the seventh floor—but that meals can be delivered while kitchen work is completed. Burgos estimated the program could be set up and begin offering crisis, short‑term and longer‑term services within about six months if licensing and procurement proceed without delay.

Several members brought up the statewide backlog of people found incompetent to proceed and asked whether Miami‑Dade could prioritize placements from local jails and state hospitals. The public defender noted the high waiting lists and urged prioritizing the roughly 50 individuals in Miami‑Dade County who are awaiting forensic placement. Burgos and other officials said county officials and the board will pursue coordination with state authorities and managing entities to identify pilot options.

Board members discussed the distinction between residential level classifications and available community placements. A county official said state dollars intended to fund an intermediate residential (level 1) placement for forensic diversion are currently being used for level 2 placements at a nearby center; opening a level 1 unit at the Miami Center or related campus was discussed as one local option. Several members emphasized that even when inpatient or forensic beds are available, community step‑down placements and supportive housing are necessary to create throughput and avoid bottlenecks.

Members urged county staff to pursue state pilot programs, explore partnerships with existing regional providers and track whether any state funds could be drawn down for beds that support forensic diversion and transition to community care.","Kathy Burgos announced that Community Action Human Services and Juvenile Services have merged and that the merged department will oversee the planned mental health facility; board members discussed the state's forensic backlog, potential use of the facility for step‑down placements and the need for more supportive housing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6474536,"NAMI Miami‑Dade outlines helpline, peer support and outreach programs to board",748,2188000,2936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5808466-71bdc160655fd6ed94997c1953d52dd5&start=2188&end=2936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5808466-71bdc160655fd6ed94997c1953d52dd5/thumbnail_2188000.jpg","/articles/6474536/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/NAMI-MiamiDade-outlines-helpline-peer-support-and-outreach-programs-to-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474536-c31711d4202742f4dc66710fa6b9ff50/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139570&Signature=hjT57lEHg-8QycGRfLfl1i2C228ENuBdSpllTS4cj2V4xVP-Dibacln8me~FQAL6wOQt9bBNCAeqEDmO5bZ7n4s7ROIvj7RoP3ZHUUc1Afy1CxDo7OjDlxt6VA1p~CtIV6XEegkUJnIdrR0xbKqFdc-C8d8SOWXxoCjJB~6~90qV5QIADtcVJjTb7Bn7L1vS4l0kuRuY3L8c1kdZ43ZmiAij9rndx-UdensiC5UkXPHDHtbghqIzVFIdgzNTJGQkWyDBQZPE2acbofdRbxws8nUy6PYhqpIJdaiJnx-ivPEh8YBAgXQ8BJbVQ9nugGYVYkCVSTFc2ZdE1hECPUNkWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Susan Holtzman, president and CEO of NAMI Miami‑Dade County and a board member, briefed the Behavioral Health Advisory Board on NAMI’s local services and outcomes on Sept. 22.

Holtzman said NAMI Miami‑Dade is one of the largest local affiliates in the country and serves Miami‑Dade and Monroe counties. She described the organization’s three pillars—education, support and advocacy—and listed signature programs including Ending the Silence (school outreach), Family‑to‑Family education, QPR suicide prevention training, peer support groups and a helpline.

The helpline number given at the meeting was (305) 665‑2540. Holtzman said the helpline is staffed by trained peers who answer calls Monday through Friday and will speak with callers as long as needed; the service can provide warm handoffs from 988 and from mobile response teams. She said NAMI also provides peer mentoring and help for families, in English, Spanish and Creole, and operates a signature walk that draws community participation.

Holtzman cited statistics to describe scope and program outcomes: “One in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year,” she said. She added that “50 percent of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14 and 75 percent by age 24,” underscoring the affiliate’s focus on youth outreach.

On program outcomes, Holtzman reported that 72 percent of youth in the Ending the Silence program improved protective factors; QPR participants improved protective factors by roughly 79.8 percent; and support‑group participants reported increased connection (87 percent) and improved well‑being (83 percent). NAMI is running local studies to quantify program impacts in Miami‑Dade, she said.

Holtzman asked board members to consider referrals and partnerships; members asked about linkage to 988 and call volume. Holtzman said NAMI is not the 988 call center but that the affiliate coordinates with 988 and other partners and will provide warm handoffs when calls exceed NAMI’s scope.","Susan Holtzman, president and CEO of NAMI Miami‑Dade County, described the affiliate’s education, support and advocacy programs, helpline operations and partnerships with first responders and county services.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6474541,"BraveHealth presents telehealth model for faster access to mental health care",585,1413000,1998000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5808466-71bdc160655fd6ed94997c1953d52dd5&start=1413&end=1998","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5808466-71bdc160655fd6ed94997c1953d52dd5/thumbnail_1413000.jpg","/articles/6474541/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/BraveHealth-presents-telehealth-model-for-faster-access-to-mental-health-care","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474541-207a124a56d6347da4d40d3ac1efa63c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139570&Signature=kRVFyZ4ka2eN-FY0XMCL49k1~ctDAdSUQmfzouf~Om0sDxQbhDSG9TvRPEh5xyL8F~LBakkbSNmpBQT3fOo-rkwGG2W-lpEV5-aTC793JQtUzVucos1b0fFeMWV5DAcrCVn3kQu32J6LKflRbnZ4C9oKqfW2S6WKAPFPUGeAvTvwy7iLZr7f3g46noqD431cjiSCfFbgk6NABbax1gif6f0sipK97ly3fK7t~V7oE5GxtX~D11AakZOvQuN~qTwkqvMKNYBwB33Ik3zgKHQDqit2V~dCrrFCL3fNtpFvwkFway9fIDHO~nk2ibOpgOlqOv0yIH5w0yUmp0Ye0lTVTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from BraveHealth described the company's telehealth model and referral workflow to the Behavioral Health Advisory Board on Sept. 22.

Alex Jerezas, who said he oversees BraveHealth's work in Florida and other states, and local representative Yomaira Perea explained the company’s emphasis on reducing technological hurdles for patients. Jerezas said BraveHealth avoids an app‑download model and instead sends patients an SMS with a link to consent and join a session.

“We text the patient a link, they click that link, it opens up a browser, they sign their consent form,” Jerezas said. He added the company uses clinician‑led teams instead of a rotating contractor model so patients see the same provider over time.

BraveHealth said it treats patients age 13 and up and is credentialed across Medicaid, Medicare, marketplace plans and more than 200 payers. The presenters said the company was founded in 2017, expanded during the COVID‑era telehealth surge and now operates in 14 states.

Jerezas cited internal performance figures to describe outcomes for patients who engage with BraveHealth: a 73 percent reduction in hospital readmissions for engaged patients, an average first‑appointment wait of about 4.5 to 6.8 days from initial contact, and an average length of care of around seven months compared with a national average of 5.5 months. The presenters said those figures reflect their internal analyses and that county‑specific client counts were not available at the meeting.

When asked how many clients BraveHealth serves in Miami‑Dade County, the presenter said that number was not recalled and “I couldn't tell you that number exactly, but I can get back to you.” The company representative said BraveHealth has treated “a hundred and some odd thousand patients” in the state since 2017, but not that number specifically in Dade County.

BraveHealth described an encrypted referral form for case managers and hospital staff that triggers an automated workflow and sends referrers an immediate notification; presenters said referrers receive appointment confirmation within two to four hours and are notified whether the patient attends or no‑shows.

Board members asked whether BraveHealth provides case management; the company said it works closely with case managers but does not provide direct case management services.","BraveHealth told the Behavioral Health Advisory Board it uses SMS links and a clinician‑led model to reduce barriers to care, and said its approach yields faster first appointments and lower readmission rates.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6474546,"Behavioral Health Advisory Board adopts bylaws, names vice chair and forms four committees",3058,3432000,6490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5808466-71bdc160655fd6ed94997c1953d52dd5&start=3432&end=6490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5808466-71bdc160655fd6ed94997c1953d52dd5/thumbnail_3432000.jpg","/articles/6474546/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Behavioral-Health-Advisory-Board-adopts-bylaws-names-vice-chair-and-forms-four-committees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474546-7223d463e9714e9efb943823a4d14dad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139570&Signature=TN4v1V98WEnAID306RkAlTMsHnT-~tO-soSTh2omNLuvteSVoXju0ciHKbtNyP4wU~6WHNHlm1wkw4zydXgjhiH8Z-CE1EIKuxjDiZV4WgCeW4GghoZp~g3u9hk9VBvYgNVtoEfouYiqgfVWkJEQyhrIAKbWR01TAhsyO5fQgOUVkaZvjDeE1cQerWE1cNdfx52Lb93H9~lf9-RhQHjSXOAbTf6gTxQ~wCDoPWbWSxiXQfDv0Qik6Xn65DLwQ4FO4I7wY~adWpETVfr3ik4WdofI0Q0kOOFU55X63n0PMu~Orpbsa8V~gzndB5srDlegH-CZlmBkawwg7mh1Fl8FFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Behavioral Health Advisory Board adopted its bylaws, confirmed a vice chair and established four subcommittees at its meeting on Monday, Sept. 22.

The board voted to adopt bylaws prepared by county staff that the presentation said were “based on the ordinance” that created the advisory board. The bylaws were amended at the meeting to replace the term “suffering” with “recovering” in membership language; the amendment was approved by voice vote and the bylaws were adopted as amended.

The board also nominated and confirmed Claudio Perez as vice chair by acclamation. Members approved the July 29 minutes by voice vote earlier in the meeting.

Board members discussed the ordinance-specified duties that the bylaws reflect, including advising the board on behavioral health issues, developing a community needs assessment and monitoring county-funded behavioral health programs. Amanda (staff member) read sections of Article 10 of the ordinance aloud during the discussion, noting duties such as identifying high service utilizers, developing a comprehensive list of behavioral health providers and advising on a data‑sharing collaborative.

Senator Renee Garcia (chair) opened discussion about next steps now that the board is organized. Members moved to create four subcommittees to do the detailed work outside full board meetings: (1) prevention and first‑responder/veteran outreach (including suicide prevention), (2) stigma reduction and public engagement, (3) social media and communications strategy, and (4) supportive housing. Amanda said staff will circulate committee options and sign‑up information to members.

Senator Garcia emphasized using the subcommittees to produce actionable recommendations the full board can bring to the County Commission. Several members asked that committee work be Dade‑County specific and coordinated with existing provider networks and university needs assessments.

Board members agreed the committees should be small (three to five members) to permit focused work and regular reporting back to the full board.","The Miami‑Dade Behavioral Health Advisory Board adopted bylaws based on the county ordinance, confirmed a vice chair and created four working subcommittees to focus the board's work on prevention, stigma, social media outreach and supportive housing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County budget office reports restoration of legacy CBO funding and cancellation of new RFP process

County official says merged departments will oversee mental health facility; board discusses forensic backlog and need for supportive housing

NAMI Miami‑Dade outlines helpline, peer support and outreach programs to board

BraveHealth presents telehealth model for faster access to mental health care

Behavioral Health Advisory Board adopts bylaws, names vice chair and forms four committees