FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact for Dr. Jay Reeve: Jessica Souva Media Contact for FCBHW: Melissa Wolfe
Phone: 202-486-1840 Phone: 813-974-5146
Email: JessicaS95@ApalacheeCenter.org Email: mjwolfe@usf.edu
Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce to Honor
Florida Commission on Mental Health with Award at Upcoming Tampa Summit
Dr. Jay Reeve, CEO of Apalachee Center and Commission Chair,
to Accept on Behalf of Florida Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder
TAMPA, FL – September 4, 2026 – The Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce (FCBHW) at the University of South Florida (USF) will recognize the contributions of the Florida Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder (FCMHSU) during its upcoming From Research to Action: Florida Behavioral Health Workforce Summit, September 10-11, 2026, at USF in Tampa.
“On behalf of the Commission, it is a profound honor to accept this recognition from the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce,” said Dr. Jay Reeve, Chair of the Mental Health Policy Commission and CEO of Apalachee Center. “It was our privilege as a Commission to have the opportunity to partner with stakeholders, lawmakers, and nationally recognized content experts across disciplines to improve mental healthcare delivery.”
“Florida’s behavioral health workforce is strengthened when research, education, practice, and policy come together to address the challenges affecting access to care,” said Dr. Courtney Whitt, Executive Director of the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce. “The Florida Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder helped shine a light on the critical workforce gaps facing our state and the importance of addressing them. We are proud to recognize the Commission’s leadership and its commitment to building a more coordinated, effective behavioral health system supported by a workforce prepared to meet the needs of Floridians.”
The Florida Behavioral Health Workforce Summit brings together stakeholders, advocates, and experts from across the state to translate empirical evidence into actionable, coordinated strategies. The event features research presentations of Florida workforce studies explored through the lens of education, programming and policy, specialized workshops, and high-profile keynote addresses from national leaders. Featured speakers include Dr. Brianna Lombardi, Director of the SAMHSA-funded Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center at the University of North Carolina, and Caren Howard, Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy at Mental Health America.
FCBHW was commissioned in 2024 by the Florida Legislature to grow, retain and innovate Florida’s behavioral health workforce through research, education, policy and collaboration.
The Florida Commission on Mental Health is charged with evaluating public delivery frameworks, reviewing spending, and providing policy recommendations to address deficiencies and optimize mental health and substance abuse care across the state. Among the Commission’s recommendations was the creation of the Florida Behavioral Healthcare Data Repository, codified into Senate Bill 168 (2025) – The Tristan Murphy Act. This Repository will allow, for the first time in Florida, a comprehensive picture of the prevalence, cost and best practices for addressing behavioral health issues as they appear through the data gathered by every State agency in Florida that funds the treatment of mental illness and substance use disorder.
Sixteen of the detailed recommendations made by the Commission have been codified into law.
The dedicated award ceremony will be held during the lunchtime program on Friday, September 11th. For more summit registration or event updates, please visit the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce’s Summit webpage.
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About Apalachee Center
Apalachee Center is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the mental health and recovery of individuals and families across Leon, Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla Counties, aiding in recovery from emotional, psychiatric and substance use disorder crises. In partnership with Life Management Center, it also serves Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties in the Florida Panhandle. Those struggling or in need of mental health support can call its 24/7 HelpLine and MRT at 800-342-0774 or visit ApalacheeCenter.org/SameDay. For more information, visit ApalacheeCenter.org and lmccares.org.
About The Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce
The Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce (FCBHW) was established by the Florida Legislature in July 2024 to strengthen the state’s behavioral health workforce and ensure all Floridians have access to timely, high-quality care. Housed within the University of South Florida’s College of Behavioral and Community Sciences and the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, the FCBHW advances data-driven solutions through research, education, policy and collaboration. FCBHW serves the entire state through its mission to grow, retain and innovate Florida’s behavioral health workforce.