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Congressman Bilirakis, county officials mark Community Development Week as PascoUCC wins national award
Summary
Congressman Gus Bilirakis and Pasco County officials celebrated National Community Development Week and recognized Pasco's Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center with the Audrey Nelson Achievement Award; county and partner representatives highlighted outcomes and the opening of a second Dade City UCC.
Pasco County commissioners on April 7 formally recognized National Community Development Week and celebrated a national award for the county's Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center (UCC).
Congressman Gus Bilirakis, who joined county leaders for the acknowledgment, said he entered the Congressional Record to praise Pasco's program and noted the UCC was selected among a small number of national awardees. "I rise today ... to recognize the outstanding work of Pasco County Community Development," Bilirakis said, highlighting the county's use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) resources.
Kathy Pearson, assistant county administrator for public services, and Mary Perry, director of community development, thanked partners and credited commissioners and county staff for initiating the walk-in UCC idea. Tracy Calley of BayCare, a health partner, described the clinic's performance: "We said we would serve 400 in our first year. We exceeded that ... I think our total was 1,700," she told commissioners, underscoring demand for walk-in behavioral health services.
Why it matters: County officials said the center provides voluntary outpatient behavioral health care, longer hours and an alternative to emergency departments for people experiencing mental health or substance-use crises. Staff said CDBG funds and opioid-related dollars helped renovate the facility and leverage operational funds.
Resolution and photos
The board adopted resolution CAO 26-180 declaring the week of April 6— through April 10, 2026 as National Community Development Week in Pasco County and took a group photo with the congressman and program partners.
Next steps
Officials asked the community to attend a Community Development Week event at Lake Lisa on Thursday evening to learn about award-winning projects, and staff said they will continue outreach to sustain funding and partnerships.
The board approved the resolution by voice vote without recorded opposition.
