Faculty and staff from the USF Department of Behavioral Health Science and Practice partnered with the Pasco County Opioid Abatement Task Force to conduct a comprehensive behavioral health system gap analysis, examining community strengths, service gaps, barriers to care and opportunities for strategic investment using opioid settlement funds.
Led by Scott Young, PhD, research associate professor; Kathleen Moore, PhD, research professor; Abigail Shockley, director of the Criminal Justice, Mental Health, & Substance Abuse Technical Assistance Center (CJMHSA TAC); and Beth Holland, learning and development facilitator in CJMHSA TAC, the assessment engaged stakeholders across the healthcare, behavioral health, recovery, homelessness, criminal justice and community sectors through interviews, community listening sessions, town hall-style discussions, site visits, surveys and extensive data review.
More than 30 stakeholder interviews and multiple community engagement activities informed the development of recommendations designed to strengthen Pasco County's recovery-oriented system of care.
The final report provides a data-informed roadmap for future opioid abatement investments, identifying priorities such as expanding housing and recovery supports, increasing transportation access, strengthening the behavioral health workforce, enhancing crisis response services, and improving access to integrated care.