Florida Department of Children and Families Announces $2.3 Million Award to Top 10 Performing Opioid Incentive Programs

June 30, 2026

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary Taylor N. Hatch announced awards to the state’s 10 top performing Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Incentive Program participants for their exceptional efforts in combating opioid addiction, expanding access to care, and advancing innovative approaches to addressing substance use disorders. These performance-based incentive awards included an additional award for Manatee County, the state’s top performing county, which experienced a 56 percent decrease in opioid-caused deaths in the most recent reporting period.

“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ steadfast commitment to strengthening Florida’s behavioral health system, our state is delivering real results for individuals and families,” said Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Taylor Hatch. “The CORE Network reflects what is possible when prevention, treatment, recovery, and accountability are aligned and driven by those they are intended to serve.”

In March 2025, the Department established the CORE Incentive Program, a performance-based initiative designed to expand access to care, enhance collaboration, and improve outcomes. The first 30 counties that had completed two full years of CORE implementation were eligible for incentives. Using a standardized evaluation process, counties were assessed across six key domains: access to care, use of best practices, peer involvement, community partnerships, community engagement, and innovation.

A total of $2 million will be awarded to the 10 highest-performing counties, with each county receiving funding in recognition of their performance. Manatee County, recognized as the Best Performing County, will receive an additional $300,000 for achieving the greatest percentage reduction in opioid-caused deaths per 100,000 population, with a 56 percent decrease from 2023 to 2024, according to the Florida Medical Examiners Commission Annual Report.

Counties receiving awards include:

• Bay ($200,000)
• Broward ($200,000)
• Clay ($200,000)
• Duval ($200,000)
• Escambia ($200,000)
• Gulf ($200,000)
• Hernando ($200,000)
• Manatee ($500,000)
• Miami-Dade ($200,000)
• Okaloosa ($200,000)

Since its launch in 2022, the CORE Network has served as a countywide, coordinated system that unites emergency medical services, hospitals, long-term treatment providers, and law enforcement to deliver a comprehensive and aligned response, as well as strengthen existing services for individuals with substance use disorders.

In Fiscal Year 2024-2025, the CORE Network produced measurable results, with more than 22,950 individuals with opioid use disorder receiving medication-assisted treatment (MAT), representing a 70 percent engagement rate, well above the national benchmark of 18 percent. MAT was also initiated across multiple access points, including more than 7,480 through CORE Network treatment providers and more than 15,470 through emergency medical services, emergency departments, and other care pathways.

In Fiscal Year 2025-2026, the CORE Network expanded statewide to all 67 counties, allowing for continued growth in its services. A recent earlier addition of law enforcement to the CORE Network is creating new early intervention opportunities for individuals who may not seek help on their own.

For more information on the CORE Network and available resources, visit flcorenetwork.com.

###