No. While the original allocation of ARPA funds included $8,000,000 dedicated to fund mental and behavioral health programs, these initiatives are instead being funded by an equivalent $8,000,000 commitment through the Sarasota County Mental Health Care District - General Revenue Fund. In summary, the commitment of $8,000,000 funding for these initiatives has remained unaltered with the exception that the funding source is no longer ARPA.

In fiscal year 2020, Sarasota County will spend $9,011,146 in budgets to Health and Human Services, 12^th Judicial Court Administration and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for mental health and supportive services. 

Of the local mental health and supportive services Sarasota County funds, the county's contribution represents approximately 24% of the total $36,984,582 spent. The remaining funding is contributed by multiple partners, including Federal and State grants, local philanthropic organizations, private donors and insurance.

Sarasota County Government funding includes services in the area of prevention, intervention, treatment and crisis services for individuals suffering from mental illness and/or substance abuse and the necessary ancillary services (housing, family reunification, medication management, counseling, peer mentoring, employment support, education) to support those with a mental health or substance abuse disorder to achieve their full recovery potential.

Currently, $5,405,827 is contracted to local nonprofits to purchase an array of services for children and adults, including crisis stabilization, hospitalization, residential services, case management services, outpatient counseling, housing assistance, mediation management, employment and educational training, etc. While the remaining $3,605,319 is provided to the criminal justice system to provide homeless and mental health outreach, assessments, specialty court programs for individuals with mental health, jail mental health staff and medication.

Sarasota County does not own or operate any mental health facilities. Sarasota County contracts with non-profit providers who own facilities to provide necessary services. However, Sarasota County is responsible for funding the Sarasota County Jail which provides housing and services for individuals struggling with mental health issues.

General Fund (generated by property tax), federal and state grants, and a portion of court fines and Fees paid by those convicted of criminal offenses.