Latest news with #NorthwestFloridaHealthNetwork
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Jackson County Fire Department requests funding for staffing shortage
JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – With too few hands and too many calls, Jackson County Fire and Rescue Teams say they're challenged daily. The department is facing staffing shortages, and leaders say the number of calls is only increasing. 'Jackson County Fire Rescue has been understaffed in my estimation for a number of years. Part of that is because Jackson County's population becoming elderly and more senior. And so with that elderly population, we certainly have more calls, more need for just County Fire Rescue Staff,' Commissioner Paul Donofero said. However, there could be a solution in the form of Florida's Coordinated Opioid Recovery or C.O.R.E. Project. Jackson County pursues former Marianna city manager for county admin position Jackson County has received $700,000 to directly fight the epidemic. The Northwest Florida Health Network is giving $500,000 to PanCare Health, which will provide treatment for overdoses and recovery services to addicts. 'There were 247 suspected overdoses for the fiscal year of 2023 to 2024 for Jackson County. So that number is very significant, and we want to ensure that those folks who do happen to have an overdose will receive the services they need,' Northwest Florida Health Network Behavioral Health Supervisor Lexi Harris said. Jackson County Fire Chief Charlie Brunner wants the remaining $200,000 to create two new full-time positions in Fire-Rescue to help meet the rising demand. 'That will give us the ability to jump-start getting those positions created. And again, just wanting to be sure that we have the capability, funding-wise, to be able to fund those into the future,' Donofro said. Serious injury reported in two-car crash on U.S. 231 C.O.R.E. funding can only be used for treatment and EMS response. 'It's not just the county getting these funds and just using it however they want. There is a structured layout of what they can use the funding for, and based on those options, the county will then make their decision on how they would like to use the funding,' Harris explained Jackson County Commissioners will discuss Brunner's request at their June 10th meeting. Donofro said if commissioners deny the request, they'll consider adding fire rescue positions in next year's budget. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Yahoo
‘Bonded by Blue' event raises awareness for Child Abuse Prevention month
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and law enforcement and child protection professionals are raising awareness at their 4th annual 'Bonded by Blue' event. The Gulf Coast Children's Advocacy Center sees 60 to 80 child abuse cases a month. They do anything from forensic interviews to victim advocacy to specialized trauma therapy. Child protection is a group effort, they work with the Department of Children and Families, Northwest Florida Health Network, and local law enforcement on cases. The team is on call 24/7, handling traumatic cases of child abuse. Three suspects charged in Panama City Beach Pier Park shooting 'We deal with some really complex trauma, and we try as a system of care to do things like today that have fun music, barbecue, and to do things outside of talk about tough cases. But we often also offer therapeutic interventions for free for our team,' Gulf Coast Children's Advocacy Center CEO Lori Allen said. 'We all have our why's. Why we do what we do. It's a tireless profession; certainly not people that are in the profession for the money. But the change in the outcomes that I see for children is the why for a lot of people,' Northwest Florida Health Network Circuit 14 Administrator Kelly Faircloth said. To report a case of suspected child abuse, call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida law enforcement launches Peer Support Certification Program
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Each day, law enforcement officers face the realities of danger, violence, and trauma. They respond to critical incidents, witness life-threatening situations, and work in high-pressure environments. They're exposed to intense stress and trauma which can affect their mental health in ways that are not always visible. The Northwest Florida Health Network agency is taking a new approach to providing law enforcement with mental health resources. They've partnered with the Florida Certification Board to establish the Law Enforcement Peer Certification Program. Force protection exercise underway at Naval Support Activity Panama City 'All the research shows that a lot of the trauma and just kind of getting through your day and getting through life, the most important support comes from your own group, people that are around you, what we call natural supports. So, if you've done the job, you understand the job, if you've been through the trauma, you understand the trauma,' Northwest Florida Health Network CEO Mike Watkins said. The 50-hour program teaches law enforcement personnel about trauma, how to recognize it, how to effectively listen to peers, and how to react when someone expresses their passing a test, they're approved as a certified law enforcement peer. 'So, it's one thing to say, I want to help my peer. It's another thing to actually have the tools to do that,' Watkins said. 'There's no steadiness to the job'; State officials shine a light on mental health for first responders The program has been offered across 17 Panhandle counties for a year. 49 people are in the program, and 21 are certified. Walton County, Bay, Calhoun, Jackson, Holmes, Franklin, and Liberty counties already have deputies that have completed the certification or are in the process. 'So, what Deputy Goings did in partnership with NWF is to reach out. Get this really exceptional level of training so that he can be there for his peers. This is literally peer support, but he's trained to do this,' Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson said. Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson says he hopes to see more of his deputies become peer-certified in the future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
