MEET BRACE: A NEW COMMUNITY-WIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCE FORMED BY GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, CENTERSTONE, VENICE PD

Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) has partnered with Centerstone and the Venice Police Department (Venice PD) to launch Behavioral Response and Community Engagement (BRACE), a new mental health crisis response initiative designed to provide timely, person-centered support for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.

The BRACE program embeds trained mental health professionals into the local emergency response system to respond to nonviolent, mental health-related 911 calls. The program aims to reduce repeated crisis calls and unnecessary emergency room visits while helping residents access appropriate care.
“BRACE reflects our shared commitment to expanding access to support during moments of crisis,” said Erin Minor, Gulf Coast’s Vice President of Community Leadership. “By bringing together community partners with complementary expertise, this program will help ensure individuals receive compassionate, appropriate care that addresses underlying needs and promotes long-term well-being.”

The program was developed from ongoing conversations between the three organizations about gaps in the local crisis response system and the potential of a more coordinated approach. Through collaboration, the partners identified an opportunity to strengthen existing services and expand the continuum of care for residents experiencing mental health challenges.

“This partnership strengthens our ability to respond thoughtfully and effectively to behavioral health situations,” said Kasey Ledford, Case Manager for the Venice PD’s Community Outreach Team (COT). “Integrating mental health professionals into our response framework allows us to better support individuals and connect them to services that may help prevent future crises.”

BRACE will respond primarily to mental health-related calls, while the COT will continue to focus on substance misuse and homelessness-related responses. BRACE augments the existing COT by adding a pre-crisis intervention strategy that expands the community’s overall crisis response capacity.

“BRACE intervention allows for earlier, more supportive engagement with individuals in distress,” said Charles Whitfield, Vice President, Community Care at Centerstone. “By emphasizing de-escalation and connection to care, this model is a collaboration between Venice PD and Brace Navigators to address root causes like unmet social needs, including food insecurity, housing inadequacy, access to primary care, and natural supports, while simultaneously strengthening the local crisis response system.”

Through proactive collaboration and planning, the BRACE program is positioned to make a meaningful impact by helping residents access support more quickly and addressing community needs more effectively.

Residents can reach the BRACE team by calling 941-882-7566 or 941-882-7583.

About Gulf Coast Community Foundation:
Since 1995, Gulf Coast Community Foundation has powered bold philanthropy and collaborative leadership to drive meaningful change across our region. Guided by values of authenticity, curiosity, collaboration, grit, and a trailblazing spirit, we work side-by-side with donors, partners, and community members to tackle our region’s biggest challenges and unlock its greatest opportunities. Together with our donors, we’ve invested more than $610 million in health and human services, education, civic & economic development, arts & culture, and the environment. Headquartered in Venice, with a second office in downtown Sarasota, Gulf Coast is nationally recognized for excellence, earning multiple “Best Nonprofits to Work For” honors and accreditation from Community Foundations National Standards®. Learn more at GulfCoastCF.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About Centerstone:
Centerstone is the largest nonprofit behavioral health organization in the United States. With more than 10,000 team members working at 360 locations in communities across the country, Centerstone provides healing and hope for recovery to people of all ages through mental health services, addiction care and social supports. Centerstone is a leader in operations for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Centerstone's Military Services offers specialized care nationwide for veterans and the military community. Centerstone’s Institute provides guidance through research and technology, leveraging the best evidence-based practices for use across its communities. Centerstone’s Foundation secures philanthropic resources to support the work and mission of delivering care that changes lives. Learn more at Centerstone.org.

About Behavioral Response and Community Engagement (BRACE):
BRACE–Venice is a civilian-led pilot program to divert non-violent 911 calls involving individuals in emotional distress away from law enforcement and toward trained mental health professionals known as Navigators. Navigators provide on-site de-escalation, emotional and social assessment, and connection to services. BRACE reduces the need for arrests, emergency room visits, or repeat 911 calls, while building resilience and positive social drivers of health.

Photo:

BRACE came to life through the thoughtful collaboration of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Centerstone, and Venice Police Department. Pictured (L to R): James Clinch, Venice City Manager; Chief Andy Leisenring, Venice Police Department; Jennifer Johnston, Gulf Coast’s Director of Community Leadership; Alexis Wade, Clinical Manager, Centerstone; Jessica Kruger, Director of Prevention and Intervention Programs, Centerstone; Ana Carolina Costa Morais, BRACE Navigator; Officer Courtney Chaco, Venice Police Department Community Outreach Team ; Sgt. Sean Hammett, Venice Police Department Community Outreach Team (retired); Lisa Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Centerstone; Charles Whitfield, Vice President, Community Care, Centerstone; Matthew Ramlakhan, BRACE Navigator; Roger Johnson, Chief Operating Officer, Centerstone; Kasey Ledford, Venice Police Department Community Outreach Team’s Case Manager; Abigail Nunez, Mobile Crisis Supervisor, Centerstone