FAQs and Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Managing Entity for the SunCoast region?
Central Florida Behavioral Health (CFBHN) is the Managing Entity serving the SunCoast region which includes the counties of Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota. They provide the Behavioral Health Safety Net System of Care.
How can I get in touch with Central Florida Behavioral Health Network?
Their main office is located at 719 South US Highway 301, Tampa, FL 33619
Their phone number is 813.740.4811
Their email is info@cfbhn.org
Their website address is www.CFBHN.org
What is a Behavioral Health Safety Net System of Care?
A Behavioral Health Safety Net System of Care is a publicly funded network that delivers essential mental health and substance use services to individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, or otherwise underserved. Its goal is to ensure that no one is denied care due to inability to pay.
Key Components:
- Core Services: Crisis intervention, outpatient/inpatient treatment, medication management, case coordination, and peer support.
- Target Populations: Low-income individuals, people with serious mental illness or substance use disorders, and those experiencing homelessness or incarceration.
- Service Providers: Community mental health centers, nonprofits, public clinics, and peer-run organizations.
- Funding: State/local funds, Medicaid, federal grants (e.g., SAMHSA), and charitable donations.
- Goals: Prevent unnecessary hospitalization or incarceration, support recovery and community integration, reduce health disparities, and coordinate care across systems.
Why It Matters:
This system addresses gaps in access to behavioral health care by offering affordable, comprehensive, and community-based services, helping improve public health and individual outcomes.
What is Florida’s Behavioral Health Safety Net System of Care Like?
Florida’s behavioral health safety net is a statewide, publicly funded system that provides mental health and substance use services to individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, or otherwise unable to access care. It is managed by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) through the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH).
Key Components:
- Managing Entities (MEs):
Seven regional MEs coordinate with over 300 providers to allocate funding, oversee service delivery, and ensure accountability—creating a community-based, responsive system. - Service Array:
Includes crisis intervention, inpatient and outpatient treatment, residential care, case management, peer support, and Mobile Response Teams for urgent situations. - Target Populations:
Focuses on individuals with serious mental illness, co-occurring disorders, youth with behavioral challenges, and those at risk of homelessness or involved in the justice system. - Funding Sources:
Supported by state funds, Medicaid, SAMHSA block grants, and other federal resources, with funds distributed annually through the MEs. - Children’s Services:
- The Children’s Medical Services (CMS) Safety Net Program assists children with serious health needs who don’t qualify for Medicaid or KidCare, based on clinical and financial criteria.
Challenges:
- Inadequate funding relative to demand
- Workforce shortages
- Limited access in rural areas
- Fragmented coordination between service systems
Conclusion:
Florida’s behavioral health safety net is essential for ensuring care to vulnerable populations, with ongoing efforts to strengthen and expand the system to meet growing and evolving needs.
What is a Recovery-Oriented System of Care (ROSC)?
A Recovery-Oriented System of Care (ROSC) is a person-centered, community-based approach that supports individuals with mental health or substance use disorders throughout their entire recovery journey. Unlike traditional treatment models that focus only on crisis or symptom control, ROSC emphasizes long-term recovery, wellness, and quality of life. Florida has a ROSC system of care.
Key Features:
- Person-Centered & Strengths-Based: Tailors care to each person’s unique goals and strengths, making them active participants.
- Family & Community Support: Engages families, peers, and communities to build supportive recovery environments.
- Continuum of Care: Offers services from prevention and crisis intervention to long-term recovery support.
- Holistic Approach: Addresses housing, employment, education, and physical health along with behavioral health.
- Peer Support: Uses lived experience through peer specialists and recovery coaches.
- Culturally Responsive: Adapts services to individuals’ cultural and linguistic needs.
- Integrated Care: Coordinates across mental health, substance use, primary care, and social services.
Goals:
- Support self-directed recovery
- Reduce stigma
- Ensure access and equity
- Foster sustained recovery and well-being
Why It Matters:
ROSC shifts from a “treat and release” mindset to lifelong recovery support, recognizing that recovery is nonlinear and ongoing.
What are Florida’s Behavioral Health Crisis Services?
Florida provides a comprehensive range of behavioral health crisis services to support individuals facing mental health or substance use emergencies. These services offer immediate, short-term stabilization and connection to ongoing care, regardless of ability to pay.
🔑 Key Services:
- Mobile Response Teams (MRTs):
24/7 rapid response at home, school, or in the community to de-escalate crises. - Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs):
Short-term, secure facilities for individuals in acute psychiatric crisis, often under the Baker Act. - Addictions Receiving Facilities (ARFs):
Detox and stabilization centers for substance use emergencies, including Marchman Act cases. - Integrated CSU/ARFs:
Combined facilities for those with both mental health and substance use needs. - Community Mental Health Centers:
Offer walk-in crisis care and referrals to more intensive services. - Crisis Lines:
- 2-1-1: Local support and referral line
- 9-8-8: 24/7 national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT):
Trained law enforcement officers focused on diverting individuals from jail to care.
🔄 Coordinated Recovery-Oriented System of Care:
Florida’s crisis services focus on stabilization, connection to treatment, and prevention of future crises or hospitalizations.
📍 How to Access:
- Call 2-1-1 for local provider info
- Call or text 9-8-8 for immediate crisis help
- Visit the Florida DCF website or local Managing Entity for service directories.
What is the Florida Statewide Inpatient Psychiatric Program (SIPP)
Florida’s Statewide Inpatient Psychiatric Program (SIPP) provides intensive, Medicaid-funded residential treatment for children and adolescents under age 21 with severe emotional or mental health conditions that cannot be managed in less restrictive settings.
🧠 What SIPP Offers:
- 24/7 structured therapeutic care
- Psychiatric evaluations & medication management
- Individual, group, and family therapy
- Crisis intervention and behavioral services
- Certified education, medical/dental care, and recreation
- Discharge planning to support transition back to the community
✅ Eligibility:
- Under 21 years old
- Diagnosed with a serious emotional disturbance
- Need for psychiatric residential care
- Previous failure of less restrictive treatments
- Likely to benefit from residential care
📍 Access:
Referrals must come from a licensed mental health professional and be approved by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) SAMH Program Office.
For more info or to access services, visit ahca.myflorida.com or contact your regional Managing Entity.
What are Florida’s Substance Misuse Prevention Services?
Florida offers comprehensive substance misuse prevention services to reduce risk and promote healthy behaviors, especially among youth, families, and vulnerable populations. These programs are overseen by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) through the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) and delivered regionally by Managing Entities (MEs) in partnership with local providers.
🔑 Key Types of Prevention:
- Prevention –
- includes school education, public awareness campaigns, and community events.
- Targets high-risk groups like foster youth, children of individuals with substance use disorders, and underserved communities; includes mentoring and life skills training.
- For individuals showing early signs of substance misuse; offers counseling, peer groups, and parent programs.
- Community Coalitions – Local groups coordinate evidence-based strategies and community engagement (e.g., Drug-Free Communities).
- Evidence-Based Programs – Includes proven programs like Project SUCCESS, LifeSkills Training, and Strengthening Families.
- Special Populations – Tailored services for veterans, LGBTQ+ youth, rural residents, and pregnant women.
💰 Funding Sources:
- State general revenue
- Federal grants (SAPT-BG, SPF)
- Local government and private partners
Accessing Services:
- Contact your regional Managing Entity
- Visit www.myflfamilies.com
- Call 2-1-1 for referrals
These services aim to build resilience, prevent substance use, and promote long-term well-being across Florida communities.