The SAMH Program is the legislatively appointed state authority for substance abuse, mental health, and methadone designation. The program is governed by Chapters 394 and 397 of the Florida Statutes and is responsible for the oversight of a statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance abuse disorders.
Update for Methadone Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs for Opioid Disorders in Response to the Emergency Rule, 65DER 17-1, F.A.C.
Due to the impact of Hurricane Irma, the Department has extended the applicant submission dates.
Applications will now be accepted at Department headquarters from October 2, 2017 at 8 a.m. Eastern Time until October 23, 2017, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Applications must be delivered to the following address: Florida Department of Children and Families, Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Building 6, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700.
Applicants who are approved to apply for licensure will receive notices from the Department by November 17, 2017. Please provide special instructions to your deliverer to drop off the application packets at the front reception window of the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.
Determination of Need for Methadone Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs for Opioid Disorders in Response to the Emergency Rule, 65DER 17-1, F.A.C.
Introduction
The Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health within the Department of Children and Families (Department) is the single state agency responsible for a statewide system of prevention, treatment, and recovery support services for individuals with or at risk of developing substance use disorders. This includes regulating substance abuse treatment services. In accordance with s. 397.427, F.S., the Department shall not license any new medication-assisted treatment programs for opioid addiction until it conducts a needs assessment to determine whether additional providers are needed in Florida. The determination of need only applies to methadone medication-assisted treatment programs for opioid addiction.
In determining need for additional methadone medication-assisted treatment programs, the following data was examined:
- Population estimates by age and by county;
- Number of opioid-caused deaths;
- Estimated number of past-year nonmedical pain reliever users; and
- Estimated number of life-time heroin users.
Determination of Need
The Department conducted a needs assessment which indicates a need for an additional 49 methadone medication-assisted treatment providers. The chart indicates the number of providers needed for each county. Applications will be considered for providers interested in opening an opioid treatment program in one of the counties with an established need. For additional information on how to apply, refer to the Notice of Emergency Rule.
Additional Number of Opioid Treatment Programs Needed
Emergency Rule 65DER17-1 (65D-30.014 F.A.C.) Standard for Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction
On May 3, 2017, the Governor of the State of Florida signed Executive Order Number 17-146 declaring that the opioid epidemic threatens the State with an emergency and that, as a consequence of this danger, a state of emergency exists. In response to the state of emergency the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Department of Children and Families decided it necessary to revise the licensure requirements through an emergency rule to accommodate the critical need for more methadone medication-assisted treatment programs. Emergency Rule 65DER17-1 is effective as of August 25, 2017 and for 90 days thereafter.
By August 28, 2017, the department will conduct a needs assessment to determine whether additional methadone medication-assisted treatment providers are needed in Florida. The department will publish a determination of need and the instructions for submitting an appropriate application. For additional details, refer to the Notice of Emergency Rule.
Provider Licensure and Designations System (PLADS)
The Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) is excited to announce the Provider Licensure and Designations System (PLADS) will go live August 14, 2017. The PLADS system provides a portal for providers to electronically register and apply to provide services for Substance Abuse components and Receiving Facility Designation. The goal of this portal is to facilitate a central location where providers can manage all of the documentation required by law to receive licenses to provide state regulated services. By maintaining this documentation in a central location, it will simplify the process of applying for components in the future. The PLADS system will also be a central location where providers can check on the status of their licenses, track inspections and respond to corrective action plans.
As providers interact with PLADS, they can do the following items:
- Self-register for a Provider Account.
- Enter information that represents the provider to generate a provider profile.
- Create sites and enter information for those sites.
- Upload documents and electronic files that are specific for the provider and sites.
- Identify management and manage user accounts for the CEO and employees who can manage the licenses and documentation.
- Apply for components and request extensions to probationary periods.
- Voluntarily surrender licenses, relocate, renew, and close provider accounts.
- Print Invoices and facilitate licensing fees.
- Print Certificates.
- Request Overlay sites.
- Receive and View inspection reports.
- Receive Corrective Action Plans.
- Facilitate the resolution of issues included in Corrective Action Plans.
A phase II scheduled to launch in early Fall 2017 includes an e-commerce feature allowing providers to make online payments.
For more information on PLADS please contact your local SAMH Office.
Recovery Residence Administrators and Recovery Residences
Pursuant to section 397.4871, F.S., and section 397.487, F.S., the Department of Children and Families shall approve at least one credentialing entity for the purpose of developing and administering a voluntary certification program for recovery residence administrators and residences. Read more.
Certified Recovery Residences
- List of Certified Recovery Residences
- For additional resources and information on certification for recovery residences, please visit FARR at http://farronline.org/
Certified Recovery Residence Administrators
The Florida Certification Board has initiated a new credential for Recovery Residence Administrators. The public can search the Florida Certification Board’s credential database to determine if a specific Recovery Residence Administrator is certified or is in the process of becoming certified. A list of all persons certified as Recovery Residence Administrators can also be obtained by searching in the Certification Fields section using “Certification Type: Addiction” and “Classification: Recovery Residence Administrator.” Click on this link to access the search page.
Personal Stories: The Impact of Treatment
Have you ever wondered what treatment is like? The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program Office continues to support the journey of recovery by presenting Personal Stories.
