Agenda 07/11/2017 Item # 2B07/11/2017
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 2.B
Item Summary: June 6, 2017 - BCC/Mental Health Workshop
Meeting Date: 07/11/2017
Prepared by:
Title: Executive Secretary to County Manager – County Manager's Office
Name: MaryJo Brock
06/22/2017 10:32 AM
Submitted by:
Title: County Manager – County Manager's Office
Name: Leo E. Ochs
06/22/2017 10:32 AM
Approved By:
Review:
County Manager's Office MaryJo Brock County Manager Review Completed 06/22/2017 10:33 AM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 07/11/2017 9:00 AM
June 6, 2017
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MINUTES OF THE COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOP MEETING
Naples, Florida, June 6, 2017
LET IT BE REMEMBERED the Board of County Commissioners in and for the
County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 9:00 AM in a
WORKSHOP SESSION in Building “F” of the Government Complex, Naples, Florida
with the Following members present:
Chairman: Penny Taylor
Vice Chairman: Andy Solis
Donna Fiala (Excused)
Burt L. Saunders (Excused)
William L. McDaniel, Jr.
ALSO PRESENT: Leo Ochs, County Manager
Jeff Klatzkow, County Attorney
Nick Casalanguida, Deputy County Manager
Tim Durham, Executive Manager, Corporate Business Operations
Steve Carnell, Public Services Division Administrator
Troy Miller, Television Operations Manager
June 6, 2017
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Any persons in need of the verbatim record of the meeting may request a copy of the video recording
from the Collier County Communications and Customer Relations Department or view online.
1. Call to Order
Chairman Taylor called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
2. Workshop Topics
A. Welcome - Commissioner Andy Solis
Commissioner Solis welcomed the attendees noting:
The purpose of the workshop is to review community aspects of mental health and
addiction issues.
The goal is for the County to develop a long-range plan to address the needs of a segment
of the community’s population.
The County will be looking at three main areas: the services of the David Lawrence
Center and other health facilities, the court system and the jail.
He introduced the PowerPoint “Workshop: Mental Health & Addiction” which will be presented
throughout the meeting by the various professionals in attendance.
B. Overview of Current County Services - Steve Carnell, Public Services Department
Head
Mr. Carnell noted:
Several organizations in the County deal with mental health issues including the court
system, Sheriff’s Office, the Fire Districts, EMS and the school system.
Mental health related expenditures are funded through a CJMHSA grant and other
partnerships.
The County monitors grantees and assists with any issues that arise.
C. State of Mental Health - US, State, Collier - Scott Burgess, CEO, David Lawrence
Center
Mr. Burgess provided an overview of state of mental health issues noting 1 out of 4 persons
(61.5M) in the US are affected by various conditions. Two suicide deaths occur for every
homicide. The number continues to increase which places a stress on available resources such as
overnight housing and related treatment facilities available for individuals.
D. Impact on Systems - Sheriff Kevin Rambosk
Sheriff Rambosk reported:
There are approximately 2M persons incarcerated who suffer from mental illness and
the jail is not the appropriate locale to deal with these issues.
In Collier County 99% of those incarcerated return to society with approximately 25%
in need of treatment.
The conditions not only pose a risk to the individual but to all those required to deal with
them including the public, law enforcement officers, EMS providers, etc.
The County recognizes training is critical and has taken steps to institute “Crisis
Intervention Training” (CIT).
One area of major concern is the rise of substance abuse cases with the State previously
addressing the prescription medication crisis with those now turning to use of heroin.
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E. Partnerships/Prevention/Diversion - Sgt. Leslie Weidenhammer & Manager Katina
Bouza, Collier County Sheriff's Office; Judge Janeice Martin & Judge Christine
Greider, Collier County Courts; Dr. Susan Kimper, Naples Community Hospital
NCH); Scott Burgess, CEO, David Lawrence Center; Pamela Baker, CEO,
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI); and Dr. Kamela Patton, Superintendent,
Collier County Public Schools
Katina Bouza, Reintegration Manager, Collier County Jail provided an overview of the
Collier County jail services available for these individuals noting 25% of the population suffers
from mental illness. There are 102 beds available with 182 of those in need. An inmate must
volunteer to receive the services as mandatory requirements are not an option for jail
administration. There is only one homeless shelter in Collier County and a major issue is where
to place these individuals in housing upon release.
Sgt. Leslie Weidenhammer, Collier County Sheriff’s Department noted the mental health
system in the US is under-resourced with many of the individual ending up in the criminal justice
system or dying from opiod overdoses. In Collier County, there is one call an hour requiring an
officer to respond to a situation where a mental health issue is involved. Officials recognize
these individuals do no improve with conventional incarceration and a substantial amount of new
training is available for those required to deal with the issues.
It was noted the County is creating a Mental Health Unit and Mobile Response Crisis Team
which includes fire fighters and EMS professionals to aid in addressing the issues.
Honorable Janeice Martin noted she presides over Mental Health Court which needs to be a
core function within the system. The goal is to restore individuals to society as productive
citizens through a variety of partnerships. One major concern is the amount of deaths occurring
as a result of the additions or mental health issues. The County through its recognition of the
problem now has a successful program in place.
Honorable Christine Greider noted a segment of the population which are secondary victims
are children of those affected noting they become neglected, abandoned, abused, etc. Not only
does it become a lasting behavioral issue but may affect development of the child’s brain through
poor parenting and nutrition. One measure undertaken by the County was placing a dedicated
individual in the response team as opposed to those involved simply handing out a business card
identifying someone to call if they so desire.
It was noted Florida Statutes tend to play “catch up” on the issues and the County has not
experienced any ill affects from the lack of response, in fact, Collier County is being used as a
model to amend and develop statutory items.
Break: 10:37 a.m.
Reconvened: 10:50 a.m.
Chief James Cunningham, North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District reported first
responders provided 1,100 opioid treatments over a 12-month time frame in Collier County.
There has been a ten-fold increase in medication provided in the field to address an event.
An issue for the public is that these individuals are transported to a hospital before the David
June 6, 2017
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Lawrence Center (DLC) fills beds needed by other individuals. Another concern is the potential
violent activities and property destruction (fire) associated with the calls. First responders
respond to calls supplied with armored vests.
Susan Kimper, MSN provided an overview of the services available at Naples Community
Hospital who does collaborate with the County to address issues.
Scott Burgess, David Lawrence Center (DLC) provided an overview of services available at
the DLC, the only comprehensive mental health facility in Collier County. The services include
a walk in clinic, substance abuse treatment, children’s community services, holistic and specialty
treatment.
Pamela Baker, National Alliance on Mental Illness noted the organization partners with the
County and provides educational, support and other related services and one key to Collier
County is all those involved have become major advocates for the system.
Kamela Patton, Superintendent, Collier County School District reported the District partners
with the Sheriff’s Office and other County agencies to improve services for children. One key
to the success of the system is to identify those in need as early as possible. The District is
training teachers, bus drivers, custodians, administrators, etc. to identify high-risk students.
Statistics indicate 50 percent of those are affected by age 14, with 75 percent affected by age 24.
The condition not only affects social issues but the person’s ability to learn.
Suzanne Kaye, Mental Health Resource Center/FACT Team noted they work with clients to
become more independent in the community through education in finances, medical issues,
nutrition, housing assistance, etc. One issue for all involved is funding of resources as in their
case, they are currently working with budgetary numbers developed for the year 1999.
3. Public Comment
Speakers
Carlos Ruiz, “Against All Odds” recipient and US military veteran commented on his prolonged
battle with PTSD and how he has become a productive member of society through the support of the
Mental Health/Veterans Court.
Bower Thomas family, Mr. Thomas and his family addressed the attendees on the successful
treatment through Mental Health Court and agreed with the collateral damage caused to his and
other children noting the program saved his life.
Repacz family reported on their child’s success through Mental Health Court.
Bill O’ Neil, David Lawrence Center Committee noted developing a long-term plan for the
community is the key to addressing the issues.
Jerry Godshaw spoke on the enormous financial cost to the taxpayers for long-term incarceration
versus treatment opportunities with statistics indicating $1 in treatment saves the taxpayers $8 in
expenditures. He recommended the County dedicate resources necessary to help those in need.
Lisa Gruenloh, Drug Free Collier noted a strong prevention component should be implemented
into the programs.
Dr. Emily Ptaszek, Health Care Network of SW Florida reported early treatment is essential and
funding partnerships is a large factor in addressing the issues at hand.
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Doug Campbell noted there is a strong support system available in the area with a tremendous
amount of volunteer resources available that could aid in addressing the issues.
Araceli Gomez, Immokalee Interagency Council expressed concern on the potential for bias by
those involved against ethnic groups affected by the conditions and recommended any forums,
solutions, etc. that involve participation by minority representatives.
Amira Fox, States Attorney’s Office supports treatment courts, makes the community safer, and is
a more effective use of taxpayer’s funds.
Kathy Smith, Public Defender noted proper allocation of resources is needed to ensure
preventative programs and that other treatment avenues exist (as opposed to incarceration) to
provide effective solutions for those involved.
Beverly Bell, DLC provided an overview of treatment statistics at the Center, noting the programs
are successful when utilized properly.
Commissioner Solis noted the BCC will be reviewing the issues related to the topic in an effort to
eliminate any “bottlenecks” in the process to help ensure the system is as effective as possible for
residents of Collier County.
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order
of the chair at 12:45 P.M.
*****
COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
_______________________________________
Chairman, Penny Taylor
These minutes approved by the Board/Committee on _________________ as presented________
or as amended. ___________