Florida lawmakers approved cutting more than 400 jobs from the Department of Children and Families (DCF), primarily affecting mental health positions, to save millions of dollars.Licensed mental health therapist Cherlette McCullough expressed her shock at the proposed cuts, saying, “Just gut-wrenching like, Oh, my God.” The approved cuts include 89 currently vacant positions and 365 full-time-equivalent posts working in DCF mental health facilities. McCullough emphasized the potential impact of this”That sends a clear message in Florida that mental health is not a priority in Florida,” she said.DCF oversees a statewide system for mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention, providing critical services to various communities. McCullough acknowledged the need to save money in the state budget but voiced her concerns about the timing of these cuts.”We may be saving $22 million in our budget, but we’re going to see it come right back out in hospitalization services for juvenile care and foster care services. Those are our most vulnerable populations here in Florida, and some of our populations that really need the help around mental health services, yeah, I can see this just being a disaster,” she said.In a statement sent to WESH 2, a DCF spokesperson said, “The majority of the 455 positions you reference were eliminated in order to transfer the associated funding from the salaries and benefits category to contracted services, which will allow the Department to more efficiently staff the state’s mental health treatment facilities and better serve Floridians.”With these cuts on the table, experts say it’s important to support and rely on non-profit organizations that focus on mental wellness.Central Floridians can find support and resources through the Greater Orlando affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Mental Health Association of Central Florida and 26Health to name a few.
Florida lawmakers approved cutting more than 400 jobs from the Department of Children and Families (DCF), primarily affecting mental health positions, to save millions of dollars.
Licensed mental health therapist Cherlette McCullough expressed her shock at the proposed cuts, saying, “Just gut-wrenching like, Oh, my God.”
The approved cuts include 89 currently vacant positions and 365 full-time-equivalent posts working in DCF mental health facilities.
McCullough emphasized the potential impact of this
“That sends a clear message in Florida that mental health is not a priority in Florida,” she said.
DCF oversees a statewide system for mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention, providing critical services to various communities.
McCullough acknowledged the need to save money in the state budget but voiced her concerns about the timing of these cuts.
“We may be saving $22 million in our budget, but we’re going to see it come right back out in hospitalization services for juvenile care and foster care services. Those are our most vulnerable populations here in Florida, and some of our populations that really need the help around mental health services, yeah, I can see this just being a disaster,” she said.
In a statement sent to WESH 2, a DCF spokesperson said, “The majority of the 455 positions you reference were eliminated in order to transfer the associated funding from the salaries and benefits category to contracted services, which will allow the Department to more efficiently staff the state’s mental health treatment facilities and better serve Floridians.”
With these cuts on the table, experts say it’s important to support and rely on non-profit organizations that focus on mental wellness.
Central Floridians can find support and resources through the Greater Orlando affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Mental Health Association of Central Florida and 26Health to name a few.