At the Wednesday, September 7, 2022, Flagler County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting, Chamber partner SMA Healthcare made a presentation to expand mental and behavioral health services via a legislative funding request in partnership with Flagler County Government. SMA Healthcare CEO Ivan Cosimi also shared his “State of Behavioral Health in Flagler County and Nationwide” presentation (video below).
Flagler County residents and business leaders concerned about mental health services are strongly encouraged to watch this short presentation from SMA Healthcare’s CEO Ivan Cosimi.
Later in the day at the BOCC legislative priorities meeting, the BOCC supported including a $6 million legislative funding request for constructing an integrated stabilization unit and a men’s residential treatment facility through a Public-Private Partnership with Flagler County government and SMA Healthcare. The Chamber will continue to follow the development of this legislative funding request and our Government Affairs Committee will consider adding this important request to our legislative priorities for the 2023 Florida Legislative Session.
You may recall in 2021, SMA Healthcare opened the Flagler Access Center in Bunnell, FL, on Moody Blvd. The Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber recently conducted a site visit at the Flagler Access Center, meeting with local SMA Healthcare leaders to better understand mental and behavioral health issues in Flagler County. Furthermore, the Chamber has worked with SMA Healthcare leadership and local higher education institutions to support the creation of partnerships that help locally educated healthcare professionals gain experience by working with, and possibly for, SMA Healthcare.
