David Lawrence Center Expands Care Coordination for Most Vulnerable Citizens Thanks to Public and Private Partnerships

Aaron on campus: DLC Crossroads Clinical Director Maggie Baldwin and Aaron Arroyo at David Lawrence Center’s main campus in East Naples.

Last year, David Lawrence Center, the Naples based, not-for-profit mental health and addiction recovery treatment center, received funding from Central Florida Behavioral Health Network (CFBHN) to launch a new program to help our most vulnerable, high-risk citizens.

Care Coordination is an innovative and integrated approach to help uninsured individuals with high needs who are recidivistic in hospitals, the justice system, and behavioral health settings. Care coordination is the cornerstone of many successful healthcare redesign efforts. It involves bringing together various providers to coordinate health services, patient needs, and information to help better achieve treatment goals.

CFBHN is a nonprofit that contracts with community treatment centers to provide publicly funded mental health and substance use services in the Suncoast counties. They distribute funds from the state of Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) in their network for innovative solutions to the social, economic, and individual health and wellness problems that impact community members’ lives.

People like Aaron Arroyo, a 25-year-old with depression and anxiety who masked his pain with alcohol and opioids, was referred into Care Coordination after multiple admissions to the Crisis Stabilization Unit, Detoxification Unit, and treatment centers—as well as a stint in jail—were not enough to keep him well.

Aaron shared, “I’ve overdosed five times. I’ve been in detox nine times, including five times in one year. I’ve been in and out of halfway houses, rehab centers, and the courts. I was living recklessly for years, was suicidal and on a downward spiral.”

Through DLC’s Care Coordination, Aaron received support in basic living skills, problem-solving, medication management and socialization. He also had access to a variety of community resources that helped him maintain his sobriety and stability.

He received assessment, support, and linkage into short- and long-term residential treatment as well as medication assisted treatment services. Today, he is sober, has a job, and is committed to helping others.

Aaron adds, “I wouldn’t be here without David Lawrence Center. They’ve helped me get back on my feet and steered me in the right direction. I’m now the happiest I’ve ever been.”

The program was so successful that DLC wanted to expand the publicly funded program to help engage more people in need. DLC works with local businesses and community leaders to encourage support of its vital mission and enhance Collier County’s health, wellness, and safety. As a result of two new private donations—including a $15,000 grant from Arthrex Inc., a global leader in orthopedic product development and medical education headquartered in Naples, and a $5,000 grant from Naples United Church of Christ—DLC will be able to help more people like Aaron break the cycle and achieve wellness.

To make a donation or learn more about David Lawrence Center, call239-455-8500 or visit DavidLawrenceCenter.org.

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