As part of ongoing efforts to address unmet mental health and substance use disorder needs in Palm Beach County, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County has engaged Initium Health to conduct a behavioral health service delivery and feasibility study to improve access to crisis care and recovery services for county residents.

“Together, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County and Initium Health are committed to accelerating and enhancing crisis care, educating residents on the resources available to them, and positively affecting our community’s increasing need for holistic, comprehensive behavioral health care across the population,” said Darcy J. Davis, the Health Care District’s Chief Executive Officer.

The Health Care District’s identification of unmet needs for behavioral health, including crisis care, emerged from public health data and discussions with public officials, local businesses, service providers, and residents. This hands-on effort, guided by senior Health Care District leadership and a core team of experienced staff, has identified and adopted national models and best practices as guiding principles.

Under Initium’s guidance, the behavioral health feasibility study is set to begin this month with a final report due later this year. The study includes service gap and needs analysis, financial analysis, workforce considerations, facility programming, design concept recommendations, regulatory and policy analysis, and community engagement — all leveraging national guidelines and best practices for crisis systems framework.