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RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ENACT SB 104 OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS� AFFAIRS TO ESTABLISH THE FLORIDA VETERANS� CARE COORDINATION PROGRAM OR A SIMILAR PROGRAM TO PROVIDE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE REFERRAL AND CARE COORDINATION SERVICES

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WHEREAS, according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (�V.A.�), in 2017, there were approximately 20 million veterans living in the United States; and
WHEREAS, these courageous men and women served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and every other operation that involved members of the United States Armed Forces, and also served in times of peace; and
WHEREAS, the V.A. also reports that Florida has the third largest veteran population in the nation, with more than 1.5 million veterans residing in the state; and
WHEREAS, a number of veterans suffer from a wide range of mental or physical conditions, including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (�PTSD�), burns, loss of limbs, traumatic brain injuries, intermittent explosive disorder, suicidal thoughts and a host of other mental or physical disabilities, illnesses or disorders; and
WHEREAS, research shows that veterans suffer from some mental illnesses at higher rates than the general population; and
WHEREAS, for instance, while PTSD is not unique to veterans, veterans comprise a disproportionate amount of the population living with PTSD because of their increased exposure to traumatic situations; and
WHEREAS, statistics compiled by the V.A. indicate that 11 to 20 percent of veterans that served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, 12 percent of veterans that served in Desert Storm, and 15 percent of veterans that served in the Vietnam War have PTSD, as compared to seven to eight percent of the general population; and
WHEREAS, according to a 2016 report published by the V.A., which reviewed records from every state in the nation and analyzed 55 million veterans� records from 1979 through 2014, approximately 20 veterans die from suicide every day; and
WHEREAS, additionally, the V.A. reported that during the period from 2001 through 2014, veterans demonstrated an increased risk of suicide when compared to their non-veteran peers; and
WHEREAS, although the V.A. is charged with providing health care services to the nation�s veterans and operates the nation�s largest integrated health care system, with more than 1,700 health care clinics, counseling centers and other facilities, a study conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a branch of the United States Department of Health and Human Service, revealed that only 50 percent of returning veterans who need veteran mental health treatment receive such services; and
WHEREAS, in light of the troubling statistics concerning the mental health of the nation�s veterans and in an effort to further assist veterans with their mental health needs, on August 6, 2019, Senator Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart) filed Senate Bill (�SB�) 104, which would require the Florida Department of Veterans� Affairs to establish the Florida Veterans� Care Coordination Program (the �Program�), a statewide program that will provide veterans and their families with dedicated behavioral health care referral services, including health and substance abuse services through program teams operated by Florida 211 Network participants; and
WHEREAS, through the Program, veterans and their families will be provided referral and care coordination services with goals of preventing veterans� suicides, increasing veterans� use of programs and services provided by the V.A. and increasing the number of veterans who use other available community-based programs and services; and
WHEREAS, mental health and coordinated care services are essential to help veterans with their health needs, which range from routine to complex and often include a combination of physical and mental health illnesses; and
WHEREAS, moreover, the provision of referrals and coordinated care to veterans would likely prevent their health from deteriorating and also assist them with reintegration into and being productive members of their communities; and
WHEREAS, this Board supports measures designed to support veterans by expanding mental health services and making such resources readily available to veterans and their families,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Legislature to enact SB 104 or similar legislation that would require the Florida Department of Veterans� Affairs to establish the Veterans� Care Coordination Program or a similar program to provide veterans and their families with behavioral health care referral and care coordination services.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, Senator Gayle Harrell, the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade County State Legislative Delegation, and the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans� Affairs.
Section 3. Directs the County�s state lobbyists to advocate for the legislative action set forth in section 1 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2020 State Legislative Package when it is presented to the Board.