1. 2019 Administrator’s Forum
Mobile Response Teams
2019 Administrator’s Forum
Orlando, Florida

2. Authority
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act (Ch , Laws of Florida), was passed during the 2018 Legislative session. Section 48 of the law provides intent for the creation of a statewide network of Mobile Response Teams (MRTs). 2

3. Financing Teams
The Department received $18.3 million dollars to implement MRT statewide
A quartile statistic was used to group and analyze data sets between two categories:
An average of 2016 and 2017 population figures for each county for the target population
The number of involuntary examinations during
Counties were ranked based on their quartile, 1 being the lowest need or bottom 25% and 4 being the highest need or top 25%
Each county received a base of $100,000 followed by a percentage of allocation based on
Rates of involuntary examinations per county for the target population
An average of 2016 and 2017 population size per county for the target population
There were 17 counties in quartile 4- showing the greatest need, 16 counties in quartile 3, 17 counties in quartile 2, and 17 counties in quartile 1- showing the lowest need 3

4. Financing Teams
Each Managing Entity received a base allocation of $100,000 per county. The remaining funds were allocated by the following percentages:
40% for quartile 4
30% for quartile 3
20% for quartile 2
10% for quartile 1
The totals were adjusted for existing MRT's currently funded with state dollars at the rate of $50,000 per MRT. The total adjustment was allocated to the Southern Region to implement reasonable access for Monroe County. 4

5. Financing Teams
Funding was allocated to the Managing Entities as follows:
Managing Entity
Funding Amount
Lutheran Services Florida
$6,321,618
Central Florida Behavioral Health Network
$3,992,206
Big Bend Community Based Care
$4,904,703
Central Florida Cares Health System
$1,163,384
Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network
$1,163,382
South Florida Behavioral Health Network
$636,471
Broward Behavioral Health Coalition
$118,236 5

6. What are Mobile Response Teams?
MRTs provide behavioral health crisis services in community locations and if possible, avoid the need for crisis stabilization, inpatient hospital, or emergency department utilization. Teams target individuals 25 and younger. However, some teams are funded to serve older adults as well. 6

7. MRT Framework
The Department published a MRT practice guide to establish operational components and provide tools for implementation, while allowing flexibility for regional needs and practice innovation. The framework outlines:
Goals
Guiding principles
Service components
Implementation models
Best practices
Roles and responsibilities
Recommended metrics and resources
The MRT Framework is published on the Departments website. 7

8. Program Requirements
Managing Entity contracts were amended to require:
Reasonable access to MRT services among all counties in the service region
Services must be available 24 hours per day, seven days per week with on-site response time to the location within 60 minutes of the request for services
Formalized written agreements to establish response protocols with local law enforcement agencies and local school districts or superintendents
Access to a board-certified or board-eligible Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
An array of crisis response services that are responsive to the individual and family needs 8

9. Statewide Access
The Managing Entities have contracted with 29 distinct providers for 40 MRTs across the state, with statewide access to this service. As of February 2019, all MRTs were operational. 9

11. Monthly Calls
The Department began facilitating monthly calls with the regional SAMH offices, Managing Entities, and MRT providers in February These calls identify best practices, share successes, identify future training needs, and discuss barriers to implementing services as required. 11

12. 60 Minute Response Requirement
MRT providers are required to respond to a call within 60 minutes.
MRT providers report that they are able to do so most of the time; however when they are unable to do so, they remain in contact with the person.
In areas where it is difficult to respond within 60 minutes, MRT providers are utilizing telehealth resources, whether it is through Zoom or with law enforcement using a tablet.
They can use telehealth and triage calls to determine if they are urgent, emergent or routine. 12

13. Data
Each Managing Entity has established reporting requirements for MRT providers. Some of the data points collected include:
The number of calls received
The response time
The location of the crisis
The type of contact
Admission to a crisis stabilization unit
Community referral information 13

14. Reporting Measures
The Department is working on developing standardized reporting measures that the MRT providers would report to the Managing Entities. The measures may include the number of:
Calls received
Calls that required an intervention
Calls that originated from schools
Calls that were responded to within 60 minutes
Calls that were diverted from an involuntary examination. 14

15. Questions?
Heather Allman Department of Children and Families Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health