Approve Memorandum of Understanding Agreement w/BayCare Behavioral Health, Inc (BCBH) in the amount of $67,452.56 for case manager/social worker services to assist the New Port Richey Police Department’s Life Improvement Facilitation Team (LIFT). Also, approve budget amendment which allocates opioid settlement fund dollars into the F.Y. 2024 police budget to pay for the case manager/social worker for the remainder of F.Y. 2024.

The above Memorandum of Understanding Agreement with BCBH will enhance the services the LIFT Team provides to our community by having a case manager/social worker available (as per the terms of the MOU) to provide comprehensive wrap around services to help end homelessness, provide mental health support to individuals in need, provide substance abuse services to individuals in need, and to support our LIFT Teams overall efforts in the community to help and assist people.

The annual funding of $67,452.56 for BCBH case manager/social worker services will be paid for by the Opioid settlement funds received by the City of New Port Richey. The LIFT Team will provide monthly reporting to the administration of the New Port Richey Police Department to document the activities of this partnership and its successes.

City Attorney Tim Driscoll reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding Agreement between BCBH and the City of New Port Richey and approved it as to form.