Trillium tells Martin County board it served more than 1,100 residents in 2019 and is preparing for Medicaid changes

Bland Baker of Trillium presented the authority’s 2019 activity and described preparations for Medicaid transformation during the March 11 Martin County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Baker said Trillium served about 57,000 people in 2019 across its 26‑county service region at a cost of more than $475 million, and reported that 1,188 people received Trillium services in Martin County last year (936 for mental health, 277 for substance use disorder and 136 for intellectual/developmental disabilities). He said Trillium will manage high‑risk, high‑cost clients and some pharmacy and primary‑care coordination under upcoming tailored plans and that tailored plan procurement timelines had been shifted because of budget considerations; the tailored plan RFP was expected later in 2020 with awards anticipated by year end.

Baker described organizational changes including a transition team and added liaison positions for social services and juvenile justice to support Medicaid changes. He highlighted local projects and outreach: naloxone kit distribution, mental‑health first aid lay training, a web resource for school officials about suicide and bullying prevention, and efforts to recruit local providers. Open enrollment items for opioid treatment were noted but Baker said responses from Martin County had been limited.

Commissioner Ronnie Smith commended Baker’s work and the clarity of the presentation; Vice Chairman Dempsey Bond asked how long Trillium could operate on a frozen budget, and Baker said the organization was operating on the prior year’s budget while continuing essential services.

The presentation was received for informational purposes; no board action was taken.