Background of FPHSA

 

The Florida Parishes Human Services Authority was established during the 2003 Louisiana Legislative Session under House Bill 954, sponsored by Representatives Winston, Schwegmann, Strain, Erdey, McVea, Nevers, Powell and Senator Schedler. Upon passage by the Legislature, House Bill 954 became Act 594 of the 2003 Legislative session.

Effective July 1, 2004, Florida Parishes Human Services Authority (FPHSA) became a local governance entity. FPHSA was created to pool funding dollars in the areas of addictive disorders, developmental disabilities, and mental health services and to bring spending and operational decisions down to the local level. The geographical area served by FPHSA includes the following five parishes: Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington. The Authority is governed by a Board of Directors composed of nine members, representing the five-parish area. Membership on the FPHSA Board reflects not only a geographical balance, but a balance of perspectives among providers, consumers, and advocates, as well as a balance among the three disabilities served. Under the Authority, it is a goal to avoid duplication, to streamline service delivery, and to improve the quality of care and service delivery to the consumers who are served. FPHSA is funded through the Legislature and receives both State General Funds and Federal Block Grant Funds for operations.

Along with traditional clinic services, such as evaluation, therapy, and medication management, a number of various other services are provided through contract providers, such as respite care, case management, crisis intervention, in-home therapy, vocational training, housing supports, etc. In addition to community-based out-patient services, FPHSA has two inpatient substance abuse treatment programs, Fontainebleau Treatment Center (FTC) and the Alcohol Drug Unit (ADU), which are housed on the grounds of Southeast Louisiana State Hospital but are not part of the hospital. FPHSA serves both adults and children who meet the treatment criteria for services in the areas of addictive disorders, developmental disabilities, and/or mental health.