Alachua County selects WellFlorida to operate syringe‑exchange program; county cannot fund the exchange itself

Alachua County staff presented an update on the county’s planned sterile syringe‑exchange program at the Feb. 22 meeting and said WellFlorida Council (represented by Kaylen Lewis) has been selected as the syringe‑exchange operator.

"Under the law, county commissions can authorize a syringe exchange program," Kaylen Lewis, HIV program director at WellFlorida Council, told the board. She noted that Florida’s Infectious Disease Elimination Act—enacted in 2019—permits county programs but limits funding: "no state County or municipal funds can be used to support the program." Operators must identify private or federal grant funding to support operations.

Program model and partners

Lewis described an integrated model that places a syringe‑exchange coordinator at WellFlorida and uses existing partner health providers for 1‑for‑1 exchanges and testing. Named partners include the UF Mobile Outreach Clinic, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Equal Access Clinic, Helping Hands, and Grace Pharmacy. The partners would provide on‑site testing, wound care and referrals to treatment and housing services.

Required services and reporting

Lewis summarized statutory and program requirements: the exchange must operate on a 1‑for‑1 basis (participants turn in a used syringe to receive a clean one), offer HIV and hepatitis screening, provide on‑site counseling or referrals for substance‑use treatment, distribute Narcan and train community members in its use, secure and account for syringes, and report anonymized aggregate data to the county and state.

Funding timeline and next steps

Claudia Tuck (Community Support Services) and WellFlorida said they applied for a SAMHSA grant (deadline Feb. 7) and expect award announcements in May; if funding is awarded they anticipate hiring staff and finalizing partner MOUs with a program start targeted for September or sooner. Staff said they will continue to pursue alternative private and federal funding if SAMHSA awards are not received.

County funding limitations

Commissioners asked whether the county could fund coordination or ancillary services. Staff said the law prohibits the county from funding the syringe‑exchange itself; county funds could be considered for ancillary services that are not part of the exchange, but any such use would require going through the regular budget process.

Provenance: Topic introduced SEG 1011; presentation and partner list SEG 1035–1110.

Speakers quoted (first reference): Claudia Tuck (Alachua County Community Support Services), Kaylen Lewis (WellFlorida Council).

Ending: Staff will pursue grant funding and return with implementation details if funding is secured; the program’s launch depends on awarded external funds.