Collier coalition presents five-strategy mental‑health plan; commissioners asked for feedback

The Collier Coalition for Healthy Minds on Tuesday presented a proposed mental‑health and substance‑use strategic plan to the Collier County Board of County Commissioners at a workshop, asking commissioners for feedback before the coalition submits a final draft.

The plan, assembled using the Strategic Doing framework, identifies five priority strategies: build and operate a central receiving facility; maintain and increase housing supports for people with serious mental illness and substance use disorder; strengthen the behavioral‑health workforce; increase the justice system’s capacity and effectiveness; and enhance housing and services for veterans. Prevention, education and a data collaborative are listed as support strategies.

“The strategic doing framework is strong because it has two key areas of focus. It focuses on accelerating innovation and change and collaborations that cross boundaries both inside and outside of the organizations,” said Tanya Deterring, the plan facilitator, who described the planning process and the neutral role…