A landmark mental health initiative that provides critical funding for Florida鈥檚 grant programs was signed into law on June 25. Senate Bill 168, known as the Tristin Murphy Act, not only expands mental health and diversion services statewide but also boosts the Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse (CJMHSA) Reinvestment Grant Program with an increased appropriation in the 2025鈥�26 budget.
Members of the Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Technical Assistance Center team
Florida鈥檚 CJMHSA Reinvestment Grant Program supports services for individuals with mental illnesses and substance use disorders who are involved in the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems. The new legislation lifts local match requirements for fiscally constrained counties seeking planning or implementation grants and expands eligible activities to include 911 telecommunicator and EMT training, veterans treatment courts, broader diversion programs, and forensic hospital pilot projects.
This expansion will also support the Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Technical Assistance Center (CJMHSA鈥疶AC), which is housed within the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences and the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida (USF). The CJMHSA TAC provides assistance to grant applicants and grantees and has worked directly with over 170 planning and implementation grant programs statewide since the program's inception.
The CJMHSA TAC supports Reinvestment Grant Program applicants and grantees through:
- Tailored, timely training and coaching: The CJMHSA TAC provides personalized assistance, on-site or virtual鈥攊ncluding needs assessments, Sequential Intercept Mapping, and systematic planning support for both current and prospective grantees. This ensures counties can fully leverage expanded program eligibility.
- Regular peer-learning and expertise sharing: Through quarterly webinars and calls, the TAC connects grantees with USF, state, and national experts. These forums spotlight evidence-based and emerging practices, so rural and fiscally challenged counties can learn proven strategies from peers.
- Robust performance monitoring and reporting: TAC reviews quarterly data, tracking performance benchmarks and compiles annual reports for the Governor and Legislature. In 2023, more than 83% of measures were met, driving over $54鈥痬illion in jail鈥慸ay avoidance and supporting 4,500+ individuals.
- Clearinghouse of tools and resources: Accessible via鈥痜loridatac.org, TAC offers up-to-date grant announcements, webinars, publications, and Florida-specific materials鈥攅nsuring communities stay informed and ready for opportunities.
For more information about the CJMHSA TAC, visit the center鈥檚 website.