SMA opens primary-care clinic, readies 15‑bed reentry facility; county highlights community paramedicine program

During the meeting’s public-comment period, SMA representative Nancy Russo told city and county officials that SMA has launched a primary-care clinic operating two days a week that currently serves primarily uninsured patients under a grant; the organization expects to adopt a sliding-fee scale after the grant ends Sept. 1.

Russo also said SMA will open a 15‑bed residential reentry facility focusing on transitional services for people leaving jail and diversion clients; the ribbon-cutting is set for Feb. 9 at 4 p.m. She said the program is open to residents of Putnam and St. Johns counties and that SMA needs to fill beds to sustain the program.

Separately, county community paramedicine staff explained a program that began in January to serve people with opioid- and mental-health needs and other vulnerable adults through in-home assessments and referrals to treatment. Tina, a program paramedic, said the team offers medication-assisted bridge therapy when necessary over weekends and coordinates referrals with SMA and other providers. County officials said city residents are eligible for those services.

During public comment a resident asked about coordination on homelessness; commissioners said they are inventorying resources, will follow up with the speaker and the city plans a publicly announced workshop to which county partners are invited.

What’s next: SMA will finalize invitations and proceed with the Feb. 9 opening of the reentry facility; county and city staff will continue coordination on homelessness and community paramedicine referrals and accept invitations to collaborate on outreach and grant opportunities.