HomeMy WebLinkAboutLegislationCity of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
City Hall
3500 Pan American
Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 11-00319. Final Action Date:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S),
URGING GOVERNOR RICK SCOTTAND THE MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA
LEGISLATURE TO CONTINUE TO FUND MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE
ABUSE SERVICES THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND
FAMILIES TO VARIOUS SERVICE PROVIDERS AND TO VOTE AGAINST ANY
FURTHER CUTS TO THE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE STATE
FUNDING DURING.THE 2011 LEGISLATIVE SESSION; DIRECTING THE CITY
CLERK TO TRANSMITA COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS
DESIGNATED HEREIN.
WHEREAS, numerous individuals reside in Miami -Dade County who receive mental health and
substance abuse services from programs funded by the State of Florida ("State") through the
Department of Children and Families service providers in the City of Miami ("City"); and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature may determine that the source of funding for its mental health
and substance abuse care, could rely solely on the federal Medicaid program ("Medicaid") and
eliminate all, or most of the mental health and substance abuse services, administered through the
Department of Children and Families; and
WHEREAS, Medicaid does not cover many individuals who require mental health and substance
abuse services because those individuals do not meet the restrictive federal disability criteria or their
income levels are slightly above the poverty Income threshold that qualifies them for Medicaid; and
WHEREAS, if all State funding for mental health and substance abuse programs were to be
eliminated, Florida would lose all federal mental health and substance abuse block grant funding for
failing to maintain a state treatment system; and
WHEREAS, if the Florida Legislature makes substantial cuts to mental health and substance
abuse programs, Miami -Dade County and the City will likely see a marked increase in emergency
room and hospital admissions, forensic commitments, jail admissions, prison incarcerations, and
homelessness; and
WHEREAS, in addition, courts and law enforcement would lose the emergency room crisis
services they have depended upon for decades; and
WHEREAS, statistics support the premise that Florida ranks 49th in mental health funding and
35th in substance abuse funding, and that investing in mental health and substance abuse services
saves taxpayer dollars by keeping individuals out of jail and reducing the time of costly hospital
stays;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIA I,
FLORIDA:
City of Miami Page 1 of 2
File Id: 11-00319 (Version: 1) Printed On: 4/1/2011
File Number. 11-00319
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble of this Resolution are adopted by
reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The Miami City Commission urges Governor Rick Scott and the members of the
Florida Legislature to support funding of mental health and substance abuse services during the
2011 legislative session.
Section 3. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to Governor Rick Scott
and the members of the Florida Legislature.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of
the Mayor.{1}
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS
JULIE O. BRU
CITY ATTORNEY
Footnotes:
{1} if the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten calendar
days from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall
become effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File Id: 11-00319 (Version: I) Printed On: 4/1/2011