BayCare Receives $3.6M for Urgent Behavioral Care Center
Fri, 01/19/2024 - 16:30
BayCare Behavioral Health is set to establish a pioneering urgent care facility in Pasco County, focusing on mental health and opioid addiction treatment.
The health system received over $3.57 million from county commissioners for this initiative, which aims to assist around 1,100 patients. This development is part of Pasco County's strategy to allocate its portion of the funds from Florida's legal settlements with opioid producers and distributors.
In total, the county has distributed over $8 million to nine entities for local recovery programs. BayCare's facility will operate similarly to standard urgent care centers, but with a focus on immediate mental health and addiction services, offering extended hours and accepting walk-ins or same-day appointments.
The staff at the new center will conduct initial screenings and guide patients to appropriate services, simplifying the often complex care system for mental health and addiction. The center, planned for renovation in an existing BayCare office building in New Port Richey, will be conveniently located near other outpatient services, including drug treatment and peer support, as well as inpatient detox and psychiatric units.
The facility aims to provide comprehensive care and avoid involuntary commitments when possible, focusing on immediate counseling and support. Set to open in December, it will be the first facility of its kind in Florida, offering a new approach to urgent mental health and addiction care.
Another organization, Recovery Inc. is awarded $3 million, the second-highest allocation of settlement funds, from Pasco County for aiding veterans with substance use disorders. The organization plans to construct a new facility, increasing its capacity by 30 beds and extending support to some non-veterans.
Premier Community HealthCare Group, a federally qualified health center, is set to receive $600,000 to enhance its behavioral health services. WestCare GulfCoast-Florida has been granted nearly $300,000 to broaden its opioid addiction services for homeless individuals and to support a camp for children from families impacted by substance abuse.
Pasco Kids First, a child advocacy organization, will utilize its $286,000 funding for mobile outreach and therapy for families dealing with addiction. The substance abuse prevention coalition, Alliance for Healthy Communities, Inc., has been allocated $200,000 to increase its staffing.
The Hope Shot Inc. received $139,000 to expand its sober living programs. Victory High School, catering to teens in Pasco with substance use issues, was awarded $61,000. Another transitional housing provider, Ace Opportunities, received a $25,000 grant.
Over two dozen groups applied for this funding, and more financial support is expected in the coming years. Overall, Florida is poised to receive over $3 billion from settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors over the next 18 years.
Wake Schools Get $1.9M from Vaping Case Settlement
Wed, 01/17/2024 - 17:22
Wake County Board of Education has recently finalized a $1.9 million settlement with Altria, a prominent tobacco company and stakeholder in JUUL Labs.
This agreement marks the board's second significant legal victory in a nationwide federal lawsuit addressing the issue of teen vaping, following a $6.2 million settlement with JUUL Labs earlier in April.
The lawsuit, initiated in 2021 by numerous school boards across the United States, including Wake County, alleged that the rampant rise in vaping among students significantly impacted school environments and student health. Parents in the Wake County Public School System had expressed concerns about the increasing prevalence of vaping among children within school premises.
Altria, recognized for its role in the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of tobacco products, also has investments in JUUL Labs. The lawsuit accused Altria of contributing to the marketing and distribution of JUUL products, which are popular among teenagers. This settlement highlights the continuing efforts to hold companies accountable for their role in the vaping crisis affecting the youth.
In response to this settlement, the Wake County school board plans to allocate the funds towards enhancing their ongoing initiatives. These initiatives are focused on educating students about the risks associated with nicotine use and reducing its prevalence among the youth. The board aims to use these resources to safeguard student health and promote a healthier community.
The board chairman emphasized the significance of this settlement as a crucial step forward. It represents a victory for student health, providing essential funds to educate and protect young people from the risks of vaping. However, the chairman also noted that there is still work to be done, especially as companies continue to modify their products in ways that could potentially circumvent existing measures designed to protect children.
This settlement with Wake County is part of Altria's broader strategy, announced in May, to resolve most of its state and federal lawsuits, including those filed by numerous school boards nationwide. The specific settlement amounts for the various parties involved were expected to be determined in the following months, according to Altria's announcement.