Human Services Department

In 2022, Pinellas County had one of the highest rates of overdose in Florida. As we fight to end this crisis, we are asking for the public’s feedback through a 5-to-10-minute online survey.  The survey gives a voice to those who have been impacted by the opioid epidemic to share their experiences and opinions.

The individual responses are confidential. Available in English and Spanish through the link below.

Survey Link: tinyurl.com/PCEpidemicSurvey

Human Services facilitates access to critical supportive programs and services across Pinellas County. Through both direct administration of programs and coordination with a broad array of contracted partners, the department seeks to support services, capacity, and community solutions to promote health and stability. Human Services strives to protect consumers, connect veterans to benefits and resources, expand justice system supports, reduce homelessness and housing instability, improve access to health and behavioral health resources, fight food instability, support local emergency response, and coordinate with local system partners for program development, service planning and continuous improvement.

Launched the Care About Me Coordinated Access Model on May 22, 2024. Care About Me will streamline access to mental health, substance use and addiction services for Pinellas Residents and will provide key performance metrics related to accessing behavioral health care in Pinellas County.

Successfully procured behavioral health services and staffing support for Emergency Management Shelter operations for enhanced service delivery during disaster events. Emergency shelter staff will support functions such as client intake, dorm management, meal distribution, demobilization of shelter, and resource distribution.

Clinical/behavioral health shelter staff will provide services to include mental health support, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, acute mental health de-escalation, public health protocols as appropriate, and shelter resident outreach/engagement to ensure stability.

Supported the Opioid Abatement Funding Advisory Board (OAFAB) and convened meetings to develop the first iteration of the Pinellas County Opioid Abatement Priority List. The OAFAB is supported by Human Services and is tasked with reviewing opioid- related data, setting priorities for regional settlement funding and annual reporting to the Statewide Opioid Abatement Council. Human Services has facilitated the procurement and contracting for the Gap Analysis of Substance Use Services for Pinellas County which will outline strategic, transformative programs aimed at abating opioids.

Expanded the Pinellas Matters Substance Use Program to HCA Northside.  This program is funded by the Pinellas County City/County Opioid Settlement Fund and is aimed at increasing warm connections to substance use care, harm reduction and peer supports for residents accessing local hospitals for overdose or substance use related needs. The program also primarily focuses on shifting the culture within a hospital system and building medical pathways for substance use conditions.

Led the Bayside Clinic Expansion Project, which added 2,400 square feet to the existing building for a total square footage of 5,400 sq This allows for four (4) new exam rooms that are responsive to pandemic conditions with negative pressure capabilities, an additional dental operatory for a total of three (3) dental chairs, four (4) new offices dedicated to behavioral health integration for on-site mental health and substance use services, a conference room, improved professional office spaces for clinic care coordination staff, and storage.

Facilitated the design and procurement of the Health Care for the Homeless Mobile 45- foot Medical Van. The vehicle is equipped with two (2) private exam rooms, a private counseling room, a lab drawing/counseling area, and an intake area, all atop a Freightliner chassis. The vehicle has modern features that include a quieter, rear-mounted air conditioning unit, two smart TVs for customized programming, a multifunctional medical and dental exam table, security features such as an electronic lock and 360-degree cameras with in-cab monitor, and new graphics designed by Pinellas County Marketing and Communications.

Enhanced the Pinellas County Health Program/Health Care for the Homeless Program eligibility process by increasing the number of staff out-posted sites as well as continued focus on the use of technology to increase efficiencies for residents. This increase has allowed Human Services to condense staff operations into one county owned building thus decreasing annual leased space by approximately $121,000.

Using ARPA funding, Human Services in partnership with Business Technology Services completed the competitive procurement process for the Pinellas County Health Program Electronic Health Record, Case Management Systems Update as well as the Contract Life Cycle Management System. All three systems are being procured to integrate with advanced technology processes to increase efficiencies, analytics, compliance as well as enhanced user experience for staff and residents.