FY2026-27 HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INVESTMENTS - APPLICATION STATUS UPDATE (FEBRUARY 4, 2026).

No application period is currently open.

Health & Human Services Investments

On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Manatee County's Public Safety and Community and Veterans Services Departments presented an agenda item to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) requesting approval of the proposed Health & Human Services Investment Priority Areas and the establishment of a Health & Human Services Review Committee.

The BOCC approved both the priority areas and the creation of the review committee. During the discussion, the BOCC identified additional considerations that will need to be addressed before proceeding with the application cycle.

As a result, the Health & Human Services application period is not currently open, and no application dates have been established.

Next Steps

Staff will address the items and return to the BOCC at a future meeting, as appropriate. This webpage will be updated as soon as additional direction is provided.

In the meantime, interested agencies are encouraged to prepare for a future application period by ensuring that required organizational and program documentation is current and readily available.

Please continue to check this page for updates.

Health and Human Services Priority Areas

Health Services Priority Areas

• Dental Care for Indigent Residents

• Emergency Sheltering

• New or Expanded Inpatient & Outpatient Mental and Behavioral Health Services

• Treatment of Co-Occurring Mental and Behavioral Health Disorders

• Use of Care Navigators and/or Community Health Workers

• Access to Care for Indigent Residents

Human Services Priority Areas

• Aging & Social Connection – Healthy Aging & Independence

• Disability Inclusion & Access – Empowerment for People with Disabilities

• Food Security & Nutrition – Ending Hunger & Promoting Nutrition

• Criminal Justice Reentry & Second Chances – Community Reintegration & Recovery

• Affordable Housing & Homelessness Prevention – Safe & Stable Housing for All

• Career Development & Employment – Pathways to Economic Mobility

_{Additional information regarding how these priority areas will be applied, including any future application processes, will be posted on this page as direction is provided by the Board of County Commissioners.}

Health & Human Services Review Committee

The Review Committee is intended to provide structured, objective input to staff using Board-approved criteria. Final decisions will remain with the Board of County Commissioners.

Approved committee membership is anticipated to include representatives with expertise in the following areas:

   • Philanthropic/Foundation Representative

   • Financial Expert (budget feasibility review only)

   • Housing Specialist

   • Medical or Public Health Representative

   • Licensed Healthcare Provider

   • Senior Services Advocate

   • Certified Contract Manager or Higher Education Representative

Additional information regarding committee recruitment and next steps will be posted on this page once available.