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Mental health is an important part of overall health. It affects how you think, feel, and behave. When you’re mentally healthy, you tend to be more productive, have better relationships, and are better able to deal with life’s challenges.
Improving mental health is one of Gregg’s priorities and he believes that mental health services are a good investment: they not only benefit individuals but society as a whole, lowering crime rates and healthcare costs, and increasing productivity.
Proactively addressing mental health can prevent crisis situations that strain law enforcement services and hospitals. With this in mind, at the February 4th meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, Gregg gave a shout-out to the county’s Community Services Department (CSD), which has launched a new program that will provide behavioral health, street outreach services to individuals experiencing homelessness with the goal of reducing mental health crises, supporting stability, and linking individuals to ongoing care and resources that will improve their quality of life.
Investing in mental health street outreach is a proactive, cost-effective solution that not only improves lives but saves taxpayer dollars in the long run. By funding these programs, communities can provide compassionate, practical care to those in need while reducing the financial burden on emergency services and law enforcement.
Another CSD program that deserves praise is the funding contribution of a Medical Respite Program run by the Salvation Army. This program provides short-term medical respite care to homeless people who are discharged from the hospital. In the past, homeless people who received care in the hospital following a visit to the emergency room would be put out on the street as quickly as possible, in many cases before they had fully recovered, often leading to readmission to the ER days later. Gregg was among the people who spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony last week, and he commended the initiative as a more compassionate and fiscally prudent alternative to putting patients out on the street. Check out Commish in the Community or our Facebook page for more on the ribbon-cutting event.
On Saturday, Gregg and county staff joined Lake Worth Beach officials to celebrate the renovation of the Osborne Community Center. The facility provides resources for local residents, including seniors, youth, and the general public, offering programs such as Head Start, ESL classes, summer camps, and community events. Funded by a $266,814 federal CDBG grant, renovations included interior and exterior upgrades, ADA improvements, and essential repairs. This project highlights a successful county-municipal partnership, bringing essential services to those who need them most and strengthening our community.
At Tuesday’s board meeting, Gregg directed staff to develop a plan to honor the memory of Francis Martin “Marty” Perry, who died on October 6, 2024, two weeks before turning 86. A lawyer specializing in land use, Marty served as the first county zoning attorney in the early 1970s, and later returned to private practice. Always a gentleman, he practiced law for more than half a century and helped shape the county. Marty was a bright, kind, well-respected member of our community, and we miss him.
Lastly, the March municipal elections are just around the corner. Several cities and towns are holding elections including Lake Worth Beach, Boynton Beach and Lantana. If you plan on voting keep in mind these dates:
Election Day - Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Deadline to register to vote – Monday, February 10, 2025
Deadline to request that a Vote By Mail (VBM) ballot be mailed to you - Thursday, February 27, 2025, by 5:00 p.m.
Early Voting - Not available
Deadline to return your VBM Ballot - Tuesday, March 11, 2025, by 7:00 p.m. to our Main Office or by 5:00 p.m. to a Branch Office
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