Mayor Levine Cava Marks Major Milestone for Mental Health Center

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava today marked a major milestone in her administration’s efforts to expand access to mental health care and improve public safety as the Board of County Commissioners approved the agreements necessary to launch operations at the County’s new Mental Health Center.  

First envisioned by Judge Steve Leifman and approved by Miami-Dade voters more than two decades ago, the Center will provide 10 new crisis stabilization beds, helping to address the loss of 259 crisis beds in our community since 2018, as well as 20 short-term residential treatment beds, making it the only local facility offering this critical level of care within the behavioral health continuum. Together with 45 residential treatment program beds, these services will create a comprehensive, world-class treatment environment for individuals struggling with substance use disorders and mental illness, helping to reduce the cycle of crisis, arrest, incarceration, and homelessness while promoting long-term recovery and stability. 

Today’s Commission approval authorizes agreements with behavioral health and wraparound service providers, establishes a funding framework for operations, and advances the partnerships necessary to open the facility. 

“This Center was a dream and a construction project for two decades, but my Administration turned that dream into reality, bringing this Board a solid operational plan and negotiated contracts enabling us to finally open the doors. This center will provide hope, healing, and a path forward for people facing some of life’s most difficult challenges,” said Mayor Levine Cava. “It will help connect people to treatment and support, improve lives, and strengthen public safety throughout our community.”  

Through the Community Services Department’s administrators, under the leadership of licensed mental health professionals, the County will now move forward with opening the Center and serving those in need.