Subcommittee backs pilot to centralize behavioral health access in three counties

Representative Sapp presented HB 783 as a pilot to create a centralized access point for behavioral health services in Duval, Clay and St. Johns counties through a Department of Children and Families contract with a CAM provider and university subcontractor for intake, screening and referrals.

Sapp said the model aims to reduce fragmentation in behavioral health systems and help individuals receive timely, appropriate care. He told the committee the pilot will collect data on referral outcomes, timelines of service connections, consumer experience, and system gaps that can inform future expansion.

Karen Yacham, human services director for Pinellas County, testified in support and described a 2024 Pinellas pilot called "Care About Me." Yacham said the program worked with 25 behavioral health providers and 60 programs, served 2,400 residents, completed clinical screenings for about 1,100 people and booked over 1,000 appointments. She said the county partnered with sheriff's offices, 211, schools and other referral sources and reported increased self-referrals.

Representative Alvarez asked whether the single-contractor language meant the vendor was preselected; Sapp said the vendor would be chosen through a competitive process. The committee adopted a language-cleanup amendment and reported HB 783 favorably, 15–0. The sponsor said results from the pilot will be reported back to the Legislature.

Next steps: HB 783 advances with an instruction to gather pilot data and evaluate whether the model should be expanded statewide.