Multiple behavioral-health providers and community groups asked the delegation for continued and more flexible funding to meet growing local needs.

Gene McGee described a proposed $2.5 million project that would provide a front-end community response for seniors with cognitive decline and a back-end conversion of 16 forensic beds to longer-term dementia-care capacity. "We're gonna come in and ask you to sponsor a request for 2 and a half million dollars," McGee said, describing planned respite beds and wraparound community services to reduce unnecessary Baker Act involuntary commitments for seniors with dementia.

Dr. Christine Cofield, CEO of LSF Health Systems (the local managing entity), requested flexible funding for behavioral-health programs and reiterated the value of the managing-entity model to address county-by-county needs. "More flexible funding in the funding that we do receive, we ask for your support," Cofield said, calling for fewer prescriptive buckets so providers can reallocate funds to highest-priority services.

Salvatore Gentoli of SMA Healthcare reported the provider delivered roughly 3,000 individual services to Citrus County residents last year and described a new psychiatry-training program intended to produce additional psychiatrists for the community. He highlighted outpatient services, court-collaboration programs and central receiving facilities used under the state's no-wrong-door policy.

Providers said additional state support and flexible spending authority would improve local access to services, increase provider capacity and reduce pressure on criminal-justice and emergency systems.