Mental health groups warn of service cuts if Florida tax measure passes
Sarasota and Manatee counties rely on the measure to fund free peer support and education classes for families in crisis.
By Harper Laurent ·
NAMI Central Suncoast provides free peer support, education classes, and outreach services to residents in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The organization relies on funding from both local governments to keep these programs running. If Amendment 3 passes, that funding stream could shrink, forcing the group to reduce the number of support groups and educational sessions it offers.
Colleen O’Neil Thayer, CEO of NAMI Central Suncoast, explained that the organization would not necessarily close its doors, but the level of service would change. She stated, “It could impact the level of service, right, so it doesn’t mean that we would have to shut our doors and not serve anyone, but it definitely could impact the amount of support groups we could provide in our community or the education classes.”
The need for these services is currently high. Jennifer Propsem first contacted NAMI in 2020 when her daughter faced serious mental health challenges. She described a difficult search for care where referrals often failed due to insurance limitations or age restrictions. NAMI connected her with a parent peer who had similar experiences. Propsem now works on the NAMI staff, helping other families navigate crises. She noted that the organization is already near capacity and that cuts to family and youth programs would be “very detrimental.”
United Way Suncoast also warns that local nonprofits will face a tighter environment. Kourtney Sanchez, CEO of United Way Suncoast, said nonprofits will have to bridge larger gaps created by budget cuts. She emphasized that philanthropy alone cannot replace the lost government funding. “Nonprofits are going to be bridging issues larger than they had previously because of gaps created by Amendment 3 budget cuts,” Sanchez said.
Both NAMI Central Suncoast and United Way Suncoast are preparing for potential changes but are not taking a formal position on the amendment. They are focusing on educating the community about the potential impact on services.
Amendment 3 is on the ballot for the general election. Polls open in a little over 12 hours from the time of this report.
