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Orange County commissioners ponder moving forward on mental health action plan

Proposal to grant Heart of Florida United Way $566,696 to be voted on Tuesday

Orange County commissioners were presented with a mental health audit in February. (Copyright 2022 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange County commissioners are set to vote on a proposal that would help develop a mental health action plan, according to documents obtained by News 6.

In February, commissioners were presented with a mental health audit conducted by the Heart of Florida United Way.

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The result showed a $49.7 million gap between the mental health services available in Orange County and those that are needed.

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On Tuesday, commissioners will vote on a $566,696 grant to United Way to develop an action plan to address the issue.

According to details in the commissioners agenda packet, the money would be used to develop an Orange County Mental and Behavioral Health System of Care Community Action Plan to guide, develop and advance the Implementation Council.

It says the Implementation Council will report to the county staff on a regular basis with a final update presented to the entire board of commissioners by June 15, 2023.

“As some of the recommendations are more long term in nature, it may be necessary to continue the Council beyond June of 2023,” the packet reads.

The original mental health audit cost taxpayers $315,000 to conduct.

Commissioners will vote on whether to grant the money to develop the action plan at Tuesday’s meeting, which begins at 9 a.m.