A catalyst for collaboration in Northwest Florida

Who We Are

A volunteer coalition of community leaders

The Mental Health Task Force of Northwest Florida is a volunteer group of community leaders convened by Representative Michelle Salzman to address gaps in mental health care in Northwest Florida. It was formed after Rep. Salzman sent out a call to action to agencies with a vested interest in community-based healthcare solutions.

Since its inaugural meeting on August 30, 2021, the Task Force has brought about significant advancements in mental health care in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties. Its far-reaching collaboration spans major health care systems, local law enforcement, school districts, veteran- and children-serving organizations, and a large number of local nonprofits — over 60 participating organizations in all.

Our Track Record

Accomplishments, 2021–2025

A selection of milestones the Task Force has helped bring about. The full record is available in our documents library.

1. 2021

   • Convened the Mental Health Task Force with over 60 participants, including all major healthcare systems, local law enforcement, school districts, and many veteran-, children-serving, and nonprofit organizations.
   • Created a Process Design Subcommittee that produced a Mental Health Process Design map to identify gaps in care.
   • Designed and launched a year-long mental health marketing campaign, "Take 5."

2. 2022

   • Developed a Mental Health Blueprint Analysis based on the Process Design Map.
   • Surveyed Task Force members to determine next steps and engaged Ernst & Young to conduct a comprehensive community mental health landscape study.
   • Baptist, Lakeview, and HCA Florida West worked together to address Baker Act Receiving Facility challenges.

3. 2023

   • Ernst & Young developed a Strategic Plan and Roadmap for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, presenting it to the Task Force in May 2023.
   • DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris publicly praised the work of the Task Force, citing it as a model for the rest of the state.
   • NWF Health Network funded a Mental Health Coordinator to manage the Task Force and guide implementation of the Strategic Plan.

4. 2024

   • Launch of the ECSO/Lakeview Co-Responder Units, pairing sworn deputies with mental health clinicians.
   • Rep. Salzman secured $15M for a new Central Receiving Facility and Crisis Stabilization Unit at Lakeview Center, which opened April 22, 2024, plus $2.2M in one-time funding toward a long-term residential treatment pilot.
   • CAT expanded to include Early CAT (ages 0–5, a state pilot); LEAP was fully staffed; MRT expanded across the state.
   • HCA Florida West launched a 5-day-per-week Partial Hospitalization Program and a Graduate Program in Psychiatry, building a local pipeline.
   • NAMI Emerald Coast trained 103 Certified Recovery Peer Specialists; the region launched the NWF SafePath Network for SUD prevention with 75 stakeholders.
   • Santa Rosa County School District launched Hope Squads in all schools, decreasing student suicide deaths by 10%.

5. 2025

   • UWF and the Haas Center reformatted data so stakeholders unfamiliar with the AHER dashboard can easily find it.
   • The Task Force's Permanent Supportive Housing group merged with the Homelessness Reduction Task Force's Housing Subcommittee to strengthen PSH efforts.
   • Major hospitals and clinics created a Medicaid Navigation proposal to place navigators in each of the three major hospitals.
   • Escambia County Public Schools launched Hope Squads and trained all school personnel in Youth Mental Health First Aid; Santa Rosa delivered 17,000 988 stickers district-wide.
   • Rep. Salzman worked with DCF to secure $500,000 for a pilot community data-sharing project.
   • NAMI and DCF trained over 100 additional peers; NAMI Emerald Coast began exploring a clubhouse for those with mental health challenges.

↓ Full Accomplishments 2021–2025 (DOCX)