DEPARTMENT MAKING REQUEST
County Administration
Title
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Charlotte Behavioral Health Center Reinvestment Grant
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REQUESTED MOTION/ACTION
recommendation
Recommended Action:
Approval for Charlotte Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) to apply for a grant from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse (CJMHSA) Reinvestment Grant Program.
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budget
Budgeted Action:
No action needed. Grant requires 100% match, which will come from In-kind services of Charlotte Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) or the Court System. No County funds will be used as match.
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BACKGROUND (Why is this Action Necessary, and What Action will be accomplished)
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Background:
Charlotte Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) seeks $150,000-$250,000 in DCF Reinvestment funding to implement a formal Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Team to support individuals committed under Florida’s Outpatient Baker Act and Marchman Act provisions. This initiative responds to a growing population of individuals experiencing repeated behavioral health crises who cycle between emergency departments, inpatient psychiatric units, detoxification facilities, and the criminal justice system.
The proposed Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Team will deliver court-ordered, community-based treatment through a multidisciplinary model consisting of a case manager, therapist, and peer specialist. This team will provide intensive outreach, care coordination, clinical treatment, and engagement support to individuals who have demonstrated a history of treatment non-adherence, repeated involuntary examinations, or substance-related crises that place them at risk of harm or incarceration.
The Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) model is designed to interrupt the revolving door of crisis, stabilizing individuals in the community while ensuring accountability to court-ordered treatment plans. Services will focus on medication adherence, symptom management, substance use treatment, linkage to primary care and housing supports, and skill-building to promote long-term recovery. The inclusion of a peer specialist is critical to fostering trust, engagement, and sustained participation, particularly among individuals who have experienced repeated system involvement.
By implementing a dedicated Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Team, Charlotte Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) aims to:
• Reduce repeated Baker Act and Marchman Act admissions
• Decrease emergency department utilization and inpatient psychiatric days
• Divert individuals from jail and other high-cost, high-acuity facilities
• Improve continuity of care and treatment adherence
• Enhance individual stability, safety, and quality of life
Charlotte Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) is well-positioned to implement this initiative, leveraging its established relationships with the courts, law enforcement, hospitals, and community partners to ensure timely referrals, coordinated care, and measurable outcomes. Additionally, this model was recommended during the Criminal Justice Behavioral Health Advisory Committee strategic planning in 2024 and has been recommended by the key community partners.
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