PHIG Supports Office of Behavioral Health in Florida’s Hillsborough County
With funding from PHIG, the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County established an Office of Behavioral Health consisting of a Director, a Health Educator, and an Epidemiologist. The office researched the behavioral health needs of the county and used public health tools (e.g., logic models) to create a plan to address these needs. They collaborated with community partners working on behavioral health challenges and utilized existing programs to promote awareness and education on topics such as Naloxone, maternal mental health, and available behavioral health services. The office also provided resources for staff after natural disasters and allocated over $1 million in PHIG funding to community partners offering behavioral health services. Moving forward, the Office of Behavioral Health will continue using public health strategies to strengthen community partnerships and address behavioral health needs in Hillsborough County.
