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 she played in convening partners.

Coalition leaders stressed the plan was grounded in community input and evidence. “To date, 17 new members were recruited to join the newly formed coalition,” Deterring said, and the coalition held 11 full‑membership planning meetings and more than 20 work‑group sessions between August and April to produce the proposals.

Local service leaders described how the strategies would link to existing providers. Michael Overway, chief executive officer of the Southwest Florida Regional Coalition to End Homelessness, said supportive and affordable housing is essential for recovery. “Affordable housing is more than a roof over someone's head. For individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, it is the cornerstone of their recovery,” Overway said, pointing to the coalition’s housing priorities and local provider partnerships.

Beth Hatch, chief executive officer of NAMI Collier, highlighted senior housing work and wrap‑around supports: “Before we can get to mental health, we have to have a safe place to lay our head each night,” she said, describing placements NAMI helped make and ongoing support needed after move‑in.

The plan adds workforce development as a new priority after a presentation from Dr. Courtney Witt, executive director of the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce at the University of South Florida. Witt cited workforce shortfalls in Collier County: “In Collier County, there's only one behavioral health provider for every 860 Collier residents. This is relative to a state ratio of 490 to 1 and a U.S. ratio of 320 to 1,” she said, and offered technical assistance as the coalition pursues workforce strategies.

The plan also elevates a justice‑system training initiative. “The goal of the training is to provide everyone who labors in this building with a basic competency regarding mental health disorders, substance use disorders, various treatment modalities, trauma, and its impacts on behavioral health,” said Hon. Janice Martin, describing a one‑day intensive training for courthouse staff that the coalition piloted.

Veteran‑focused housing and services were also promoted. Dale Mullen, founder of Warrior Homes of Collier, described a network of six houses and 39 beds his group operates and urged continued investment to keep veterans stable, connected to treatment and moving into permanent housing.

Coalition leaders said the draft to be submitted will include measurable action steps. Deterring said the coalition will collect commissioner feedback and incorporate it into the final 70‑page draft, which will list action plans for each priority. Commission staff and coalition leaders told commissioners they are available to answer clarifying questions before the plan is finalized.

What happens next: coalition members said they are seeking commissioner input before they submit the final strategic plan; no vote or formal county action on the plan was taken at the workshop.

Sources: Presentations and public comments at the Collier County commissioners’ workshop; direct quotes from Tanya Deterring, Michael Overway, Beth Hatch, Dr. Courtney Witt, Hon. Janice Martin, and Dale Mullen.