Log in

Orange County budgets $81 Million for Health Services Department

Posted

Orange County Health Services Department Budget Explained

By County Commissioner Bryan Nelson

The Health Services Department is among one of the most diverse departments within Orange County. The department is responsible for providing a wide range of services. From providing medical services, metal health and homelessness support, and providing crisis assistance, the Health Services Department is a major resource for all Orange County residents.

Orange County Health Services Org ChartThe department oversees eight different divisions and manages Corrections Health Services. The eight divisions include:

  • Animal Services
  • Mental Health and Homeless Issues
  • Drug Free Community Office
  • Medical examiner
  • Medical Clinic
  • Office of the Medical Director/EMS
  • Mosquito Control
  • Ryan White Program

Each division is responsible for providing a specific service. For instance, the Ryan White Program provides assistance for persons who are HIV positive by helping them pay for expensive treatment and care with the use of federal dollars. The Mental Health and Homeless Issues division ensures that quality mental health services for all individuals in the community including children are accessible. It also provides shelter and assistance to individual and families who find themselves homeless. Mosquito Control is responsible for an array of initiatives aimed at controlling mosquitos and mosquito borne diseases. This division inspects and surveys mosquito larvae and adult mosquitos throughout the county. Currently, Mosquito Control is under special strain as they work hard to prevent the spread of the ZikaVirus, a mosquito transmitted disease, in Orange County.

This crucial Orange County department is primarily funded through the General Fund. The General Fund is made up of a series of funding sources which include, property taxes, sales taxes, gas taxes, and revenue shared with the state among others. Funding for Health Services from this source is projected to decrease for Fiscal Year 2016-2017 by 1.5% due to grant rollover from the Mental Health and Homeless issue division and the Animal Services Division. The second funding category is Special Revenue funds, and the third is Capital Construction funds. Funding for the 2016-2017 fiscal year is projected at $80,885,438.

Proposed operating expenditures for the Health Services Department include $20 million for Medicaid and $13.3 million for the Primary Care Access Network (PCAN). PCAN is a collaborative agency operated between Orange County and other local organizations. They work to provide health care coverage for uninsured residents. The Mental Health & Homelessness Division has a proposed operating budget of $5.6 million. The Animal Services Division proposed operating budget is $7.8 million with $258,215 included in grants for heartworm prevention, adoption, rescues, and spay and neuter projects. The Mosquito Control Division has a proposed operating budget of $2.2 million. Use this link to view the details.

The Health Services Department hopes the 2016-2017 fiscal years is another year full of accomplishments. With the eminent threat of the Zika virus, the Mosquito Control Division is working tirelessly to prevent the virus from reaching Orange County. The Division has been working in conjunction with the Florida Department of Health to address the Zika threat by conducting special surveys. Since February 1st, when the division first started surveying for Zika carrying mosquitos, 15,950 properties have been surveyed. While the virus has been found just south of us in the Miami area, no cases have been reported in Orange County to date. Among other accomplishments, the Animal Services Division was named “Agency of the Year” by the Florida Animal Control Association, and the Ryan White Program was recognized in the top 10 programs in the country.

For more information about any of the services provided by the Health Services Department please visit www.ocfl.net. For assistance with medical assistance and health insurance PCAN can be contacted at (407) 836-PCAN. To report a mosquito control issue or concern, the division can be contacted by email at mosquitocontrol@ocfl.net and by phone at (407) 254-9120.

Bryan Nelson sits on the Orange County Board of Commissioners and Represents District 7 which includes Apopka and Northwest Orange County.


 

Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson, Orange County Government

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here