NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco County earned a 2025 Innovation Award for opioid response from the Florida Association of County Health Services Administrators.
Pasco County Government, in partnership with BayCare Behavioral Health Institute, received honors for its strategic use of opioid settlement funds to launch the Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center.
This new service line within Pasco County’s crisis continuum of care is the first behavioral health urgent care center in Florida, providing immediate support for those in need of mental health and addiction care that may not require intensive intervention.
“This award reflects what’s possible when local government, health care leaders and community partners come together with a shared vision,” said Kathryn Starkey, chair of the Pasco Board of County Commissioners. “Pasco is proud to lead the way in transforming how we respond to substance use and mental health challenges.”
The Innovation Award recognizes counties that take forward-thinking approaches to public health delivery. Pasco’s model was selected for its impact, replicability and alignment with long-term solutions to urgent behavioral health needs.
“This new (urgent care center) in Pasco County is an example of what can be achieved when community partners work together toward a common goal,” said Tracey Kaly, clinical operations director for BayCare. “This much-needed resource for the people of Pasco would not have been possible without the county’s proactive leadership and responsible stewardship of opioid settlement funds.”
Since February, Pasco’s urgent care center has served over 600 people. Vulnerable people and families have received critical support regardless of their ability to pay.
Support for this service comes from the Opioid Fund, Community Development Block Grant and other federal and private funding sources.
