About Us

History

Formed in February 2004, the original Collaborative included the United Way of Indian River County, the Indian River County Hospital District and The Robert F. and Eleonora W. McCabe Foundation, plus the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners, the Indian River Medical Center, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, the Vero Beach Police Department and the State of Florida Department of Children and Families Services. The original concept was to bring the partners together to work toward common goals for the benefit of our community.
The first three funding partners of the Collaborative included the United Way, The Indian River County Hospital District, and The Robert F. and Eleonora W. McCabe Foundation. Shortly thereafter the list grew to include the State of Florida, Indian River County and Indian River Medical Center.

Celebrating 20 years of servicing Indian River County

Indian River County, FL – The Mental Health Collaborative of Indian River County proudly marks its 20th anniversary this year, celebrating two decades of dedicated service, impactful partnerships, and unwavering commitment to enhancing mental health care in our community.
Since its establishment in 2004, the Mental Health Collaborative has been instrumental in addressing the mental health crisis in Indian River County by creating a robust continuum of care. Through collaborative efforts with public and private entities, the Collaborative has significantly increased access to mental health services, improved mental health literacy, and advocated for systemic changes to support individuals struggling with mental health issues.

Key Achievements Over 20 Years:

• Improved Access: In 2016, the Collaborative launched The McCabe Connections Center, serving over 7,650 residents by providing a centralized point of access to mental health services. This initiative includes a coordinated referral network of over 90 providers.
• Increased Capacity: The Collaborative partnered with various stakeholders to establish and support vital mental health services, such as the Clinician Development Cohort funded to you by the John’s Island Service League.
• Enhanced Mental Health Literacy: Through programs like Mental Health First Aid, the Collaborative has trained over 1,500 residents, reducing stigma and promoting mental health awareness.
• Advocacy and Systemic Change: The Collaborative played a pivotal role in establishing a Mental Health Court and revitalizing the 19th Circuit Guardian Advocate Program, advocating for individuals with mental illness and providing necessary legal and professional guardianship services.