Under the current agreement with BayCare Behavioral Health, which expires in June 2025, the social worker (in partnership with the LIFT Team) provides critical “wrap-around-services” to those in need. In fact, the social worker’s keen ability to locate the appropriate “wrap around services” allows the LIFT Team to spend much more time in the field identifying those in need. The social worker/LIFT Team partnership is invaluable and has greatly enhanced our ability to assist people.
The renewed agreement with BCBH will continue to 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, provide substance abuse services, and to support our LIFT Team’s overall efforts within the community.
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.