Behavioral and Human Services
This division provides vital funding to support eight State of Florida mandates, two city-mandated programs and four essential city services. The division contracts for mental health and substance abuse services, funds Medicaid Inpatient Hospital and Nursing Home Care, an Indigent Cremation/Burial Program and Homeless Outreach Services, and provides short-term rent and utility assistance to prevent homelessness as the result of evictions. The division also oversees grants that provide a wide variety of social services to the community including HIV/AIDS services, advocacy services for victims of crime after-hours, elderly services and a specialized program for victims of domestic violence.
The division has provided a Victim Services Center for the community since 1986. The Victim Services Center provides quality, comprehensive services to crime victims and their significant others to reduce victim trauma and facilitate their recovery while advocating for their welfare and rights to fair treatment. The Center assists victims and their support systems understand the effects of victimization, begin the healing process and apply for a variety of compensation assistance. The Center provides individual counseling and group support opportunities. The division’s Victim Services Center also houses a Sexual Assault Center (SARC) that serves as a first responder to victims of sexual assault.
2011 Budget:
The budget for the Behavioral and Human Services Division is $21,464,534.
2010 Budget:
The budget for the Behavioral and Human Services Division was $21,322,740.
Did You Know?
The Behavioral and Human Services Division expects to provide rent and utility assistance to more than 3,750 at-risk families in 2010-11, helping them avoid homelessness. The division also expects to serve more than 300 sexual assault victims with more than 3,000 services this year.