Jacksonville, Fla. – Florida Sen. Darryl Rouson last Thursday received LSF Health System’s inaugural Lighting the Way Leadership award highlighting his advocacy and impact in the field of mental health and addiction in Florida.
Rouson has been a statewide leader in facilitating the work of recovery peer specialists who are trained to use their own lived experiences to help others struggling with behavioral health issues.
“Sen. Rouson has been a tireless advocate working to improve the lives of Floridians impacted by mental health and substance abuse challenges,” said Dr. Christine Cauffield, CEO of LSF Health Systems. “His willingness to share his own story openly inspires others to believe that recovery is possible.”
Rouson has earned a reputation as the champion for mental health and substance use policies and funding in the Florida Legislature. He has successfully secured millions of dollars to ensure individuals who are most at risk receive the treatment they need. This year, he passed a bill that that adds the use of peer specialists as an essential part of coordinated care.
For more information, visit LSFhealthsystems.org.
LSF Health Systems is one of seven behavioral health Managing Entities contracted by the Florida Department of Children and Families to manage the state-funded system of behavioral health care for people who face poverty and are without insurance. LSF Health Systems serves a 23-county region in Northeast and North Central Florida. For more information, visit LSFnet.org.
