Pasco County honored for opioid-settlement-funded behavioral health urgent care that diverted 96% from hospital care

Pasco County officials on Aug. 5 highlighted a new behavioral health urgent care center—funded in part with opioid settlement dollars—and announced state and national recognition for the county’s partnership with Bayare.

Paula Baraldo, who presented the recognition, said the county’s center is among the first in Florida to offer walk-in, same‑day mental health and addiction services without appointments. Tracy Kaye, introduced as the director of clinical operations at Bayare, told commissioners the center has been open since early February and has served nearly 800 individuals. Kaye said roughly 96% of those who walked in were diverted from higher-cost options such as hospitalization, detox or involuntary Baker Act commitments.

Kaye described services as immediate and warm—same‑day triage, connection to follow-up care, extended hours and a comfort room for people in crisis. Commissioners asked whether transportation is a barrier; staff said the location sits on a bus route, accepts Medicaid transportation and receives law-enforcement referrals, and that many clients arrange same‑day rides through family or partners.

Several commissioners praised the initiative, called it a model for other Florida counties, and discussed possible expansion to East Pasco. Staff said a proposal to expand access to East Pasco is under consideration and will return to commissioners in a future briefing and formal recommendation process.

What’s next: Staff and commissioners said they will pursue briefings on expansion, possible funding through community development programs and next steps for broader replication.

Attribution: Statements and quoted numbers are attributed to county staff who introduced themselves at the meeting: Paula Baraldo (presenting), Tracy Kaye (Bayare, director of clinical operations) and Erica Fritz (manager, urgent care center).