The Collier County Board of Commissioners recently voted to approve expansion of a mental health facility at the David Lawrence Center (DLC), a Home Base community health partner in Naples, Florida. During the meeting that proceeded the vote, Home Base Florida showed their support for the center’s efforts.  

Home Base Honorary Director, retired 4-Star General Fred Franks, also wrote a letter to the Board in support of the expansion. In his letter, General Franks highlighted the importance of DLC in the community and the additional services that the expansion would bring, specifically for the Veteran community.

There are more than 1.5 million Veterans in Florida representing the third largest Veteran population in the United States. It is estimated that 1 in 3 Veterans returns home with an invisible wound. With more than 108,000 Veterans, their Families, as well active-duty service men and women residing in Southwest Florida, many are lacking access to needed behavioral health services.

Last year, to improve access to care for Veterans in Collier County, Home Base Florida and DLC, announced a clinical partnership to offer mental health and substance use services for Veterans and military Families who call Southwest Florida home.

Trained by Home Base’s clinical experts, DLC’s clinical team provides Veterans with evidence-based clinical care for a variety of mental and emotional health needs, including post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, anger, grief and loss, and transitional challenges. Behavioral health services are provided at no cost to Veterans, service members, and their Families, regardless of ability to pay, experience level or discharge status.

Home Base outpatient clinical services at DLC also offer a multidisciplinary approach to care and complements Home Base Florida’s Warrior Health & Fitness Program, which has served as a platform for hundreds of local Veterans to come together, reconnect with other members of the military community, and embark on a path towards long-term wellness.

Home Base is excited for our partners as this will allow for expanded quality mental health care services and programs to the community including our Veterans and their Families in Florida.