Shaping the Future of Mental Health in Florida

Dr. Jay Reeve Helps Shape Florida’s Mental Health Future

At Life Management Center, we know that meaningful progress in behavioral health begins with strong leadership, collaboration, and a shared commitment to those we serve. That is why we are proud to recognize our Acting CEO, Dr. Jay Reeve, as he concludes his service as Chair of the Florida Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder.

“It was our privilege as a Commission to have the opportunity to partner with stakeholders, lawmakers, and nationally recognized content experts across disciplines to improve mental healthcare delivery,” said Dr. Jay Reeve. “I think the final report clearly demonstrates the progress made by the Commission in helping improve behavioral healthcare in Florida and setting the course for years to come.”

ABOUT THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON MENTAL HEALTH’S FINAL REPORT

Appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis, Dr. Reeve led an interdisciplinary commission of policymakers, behavioral health experts, researchers, state agency leaders, providers, advocates, and individuals with lived experience. Together, the Commission was charged with evaluating Florida’s public behavioral health system and identifying opportunities to improve access, quality, coordination, and outcomes across the state.

The Commission recently released its final report, marking the culmination of 3-years of work to strengthen Florida’s mental health and substance use treatment systems. The Commission developed a series of recommendations that resulted in significant policy advancements. Sixteen of those recommendations were codified into Florida law, representing meaningful progress in addressing the state’s behavioral health challenges.

Among the Commission’s accomplishments were recommendations to:

• Modernize the Baker Act and Marchman Act
• Establish Regional Behavioral Health Collaboratives
• Complete a comprehensive Gap Analysis
• Establish a policy recognizing 988 as a part of the behavioral health system of care, developing formal relationships with Mobile Response Teams and Crisis Stabilization Units
• Limit the use of competency restoration process to cases that are inappropriate for dismissal or diversion
• Encourage statewide implementation of the DLA-20 functional assessment tool, incorporate it into all new state contracts, and evaluate the DLA-20 tool and the marketplace every two years
• Assess Florida school districts and identify effective models of school-based behavioral health access through telehealth
• Increase Short-term Residential Treatment facility capacity for adults and children;
• Conduct analysis of publicly funded health plan panels for mental health and substance use services
• Increase use of long-acting injectables prior to discharge from State Mental Health Treatment Facilities and Community Mental Health Providers
• Provide stipends, compensation, and/or support for clinical supervisors and/or employers, students, and registered interns
• Conduct a workforce compensation study (conducted by the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce)
• Share best practices on mental health first aid and the use of de-stigmatizing person-first language and trauma-responsive care to improve patient experience and engagement in treatment
• Develop local community and statewide incentives to attract and recruit behavioral healthcare professionals
• Increase crisis response teams focused on seniors to divert older adults from deeper end services and provide follow-up to ensure continued stabilization
• Develop a Florida Behavioral Healthcare Data Repository

One of the Commission’s most significant achievements was advancing the development of a statewide Behavioral Healthcare Data Repository. This initiative positions Florida among national leaders in the collection and analysis of behavioral health data, helping policymakers and providers better understand community needs, identify service gaps, and support informed decision-making.

To learn more about the Florida Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder and view its final report, visit the Florida Commission on Mental Health website. 2026 Commission on MHSA Final Report.pdf