The South Florida Behavioral Health Network (DBA Thriving Mind South Florida) held their groundbreaking ceremony for the long-awaited Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery on May 31. Renovation of the seven-story structure starts on June 6th, according to Thornton Construction. An important goal of the new facility is creating a welcoming space where individuals will choose to stay for an entire course of integrated treatment options.
The 208-bed center, located at 2200 NW 7th Avenue in Miami, is designed to offer high-quality treatment and a full continuum of care for individuals with serious mental illnesses and frequent contact with the criminal justice system. The Center’s cutting-edge offerings will include: a central receiving center; a crisis stabilization unit; residential treatment housing units; primary healthcare services, and vocational training programs. By targeting and treating select individuals the Center will reduce demand for mental health services within the criminal justice system resulting in substantial cost avoidance for Miami-Dade County.
The event hosted by Thriving Mind CEO John Newcomer was well attended. Judge Steven Leifman, a driving-force for the project, was joined by Lieutenant Governor Nuñez, Mayor Carlos Giménez, Commissioner Sally Heyman and other state and local dignitaries to celebrate the accomplishment. Leadership form the State of Florida, Miami-Dade County and Thriving Mind all lauded working together as the key ingredient to success.
Capital funding for the project emanated from the Miami-Dade County “Building Better Communities Bond Program” and the Jackson Health system.
