Community Mental Health
Team Leaders:
Art Palamara, MD
Team Members:
David Freedman, Community Leadership Consulting; Anita Godfrey, Mental Health Association; Thomas Lanahan, Chairman, Re-entry Coalition; Hon. Ginger Lerner-Wren, County Court, 17th Judicial District; Cynthia Peterson, EVP, Broward County Medical Association; Hon. Gisele Pollack, County Court, 17th Judicial District; Kimberly Purcell-Boyd, Boyd Public Relations; Dr. TammyTucker - Chief of Mental Health Services at the South Broward Hospital District; Michael J. Satz, State Attorney, 17th Judicial Circuit
Mission:
To reduce the proportion of individuals in Broward County jails with mental illness.
Issues:
#1 - PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AT-RISK OF ARREST/INCARCERATION: Pilot Project Service Enhancement in Diversion, Discharge Planning and Residential Services.
HISTORY. The deinstitutionalization of persons suffering from mental illness forty years ago has resulted in the incarceration of many mentally ill individuals. Each day Broward County houses over 900 people with some form of mental health problem in its jails, the vast majority of whom will be quickly discharged back into the community without adequate services to prevent them from getting re-arrested and re-incarcerated. This cycle is costly in both human and monetary terms and increases annually. From 2001 to 2005, there has been a 104% increase in the average number of inmates housed in a specialized mental health jail unit for those with the most critical needs. Each month 300 new individuals (3,600 per year) are admitted to this unit. In addition, the number of psychiatric evaluations conducted monthly increased 32% (464 to 614). Because of their special needs, persons with mental illness remain incarcerated twice as long as general population inmates (60 compared to 28 days.) Despite progressive policies and programs (mental health courts, ACT Teams, etc.) the quantity of services is woefully inadequate for this troubled population.
SOLUTION: A nationally recognized best-practice models incorporating a three-prong approach:
1. Increase jail diversion options to prevent people from arrest or incarceration,
2. Increase discharge planning to link individuals to necessary community services,
3. Increase residential alternatives to reduce the length of incarceration.
ACTION NEEDED: $7,115,000.00 to fund a pilot project. These funds should be appropriated to the Department of Children and Families.
#2: PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AT-RISK OF ARREST OR INCARCERATION: LACK OF STATEWIDE FORENSIC HOSPITAL BEDS.
HISTORY: According to the 17th Judicial Circuit’s Court Administration Office, the average number of monthly commitments to state forensic hospitals has increased by 38% from 2003 (14.3) to 2005 (19.8). Admissions result from individuals being adjudicated incompetent or not guilty by reason of insanity. Data from the Department of Children and Families District Ten show the average number of committed individuals who remain housed in Broward County jails awaiting a forensic hospital bed has increased 160% from 2003 (5.6) to 2005 (14.6). The average wait time in jail following order by the court exceeds 47 days. This is far in excess of the statutory 15 days allotted for admission to a state mental health treatment facility after court order. This delay in intensive treatment often results in further exacerbation of these individual’s conditions, and places a tremendous burden on the county jail. According to the Department of Children and Families, the number of commitments statewide have increased by 48% in 6 years. During the same time period the number of secure forensic commitment beds increased by only 6%. The number of secure forensic hospital beds number is inadequate to provide critical services to those most in need.
ACTION NEEDED $9,811,200.00 should be appropriated annually to the Department of Children and Families (80 statewide beds x 356 days x $336 per day for operational costs).
#3 AFFORDABLE HOUSING--SADOWSKI TRUST FUNDS.
HISTORY In 1992, the Florida Legislature passed the William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act. The State and Local Housing Trust fund created by this Act proved to be a very efficient mechanism for creating affordable housing and fomenting economic activity throughout the State of Florida, bringing national recognition to Florida for the creation of this funding mechanism. The Sadowski Act funds are statutorily dedicated by formula to the state and local housing trust funds with 70% provided to local governments through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program, and 30% provided to the State for Florida Housing programs such as the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL). From 1992 through 2003 the housing trust fund was used exclusively for housing, and full funding was appropriated (FY 2003 full funding was $249 million). In fiscal year 2004, the housing trust monies were reduced by $193 million with monies diverted and capped. Housing costs for both homeownership and rentals have soared over the last five years, seriously outpacing personal income. The cost of a median priced house has increased by 77% since 2002, while the average income has increased only by 2%. As a result, a housing crisis exists in the community. One hundred percent of the housing trust funds are needed to support the development and maintenance of affordable housing.
ACTION NEEDED Restore and appropriate full funding to the William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act to be used exclusively for State and local affordable housing needs. TIME FRAME: This is an annualized appropriation.
Date Submitted: 01/31/09