Message from Senator Rene Garcia, District 13

Dear Community Members,

As your Commissioner for District 13 and former State Senator, I’ve worked diligently to build a better community by ensuring that mental health and behavioral health issues are effectively addressed. I am pleased to announce the approval of the Miami-Dade County Behavioral Health Advisory Board, established this February. This significant step, which I had the privilege of leading, represents our unwavering commitment to improving behavioral health services throughout our community. By creating this advisory board, we aim to ensure that Miami-Dade County is equipped to address the mental health and substance abuse challenges faced by so many of our residents.

Behavioral health plays a critical role in our well-being, encompassing emotional, psychological, and social aspects that impact how we manage stress, relate to others, and make daily decisions. Unfortunately, behavioral health disorders are common and can often lead to other health issues, such as heart disease and diabetes. With many disorders beginning in adolescence, early intervention and support are crucial for our community's long-term health.

The Behavioral Health Advisory Board's primary objective is to build a coordinated system of care that ensures individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges have timely access to high-quality services and their families have the necessary information related to available resources to help support them. During our first meeting, we discussed the importance of increasing accessibility to these services and creating direct connections to community-based support systems. Our goal is to ensure ample resources are available so that no one in need of care is left behind. As I’ve stated, “I am dedicated to increasing access to quality and timely behavioral health services for all. I firmly believe that behavioral health systems, providing inclusive access to a wide array of services, are essential for building strong and healthy communities.”

I encourage you to stay informed about the work of the Behavioral Health Advisory Board and to get involved in advocating for better mental health services across Miami-Dade County. Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of our friends, families, and neighbors.

Sincerely,

Senator Rene Garcia

Elections coming up on November 5!

Elections will be held on Tuesday, November 5,  for various national, state, and local offices. The League of Women Voters of Florida has a comprehensive, non-partisan Voter Guide with detailed information about deadlines, candidates, constitutional amendments, and more. Get the Voter Guide here.

The Miami-Dade County Elections Department also has valuable election information. Early voting ends on November 3, see the schedule here.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton recently made landfall along the Big Bend area and the west coast of Florida, devasting the region. If you’d like to help, several organizations are providing hurricane relief and recovery:

Countywide recognition of National

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Miami-Dade County Domestic Violence Oversight Board (DVOB) and the Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD) kicked off National Domestic Violence Awareness Month on October 2 in the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark Center. Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle offered remarks and shared resources, legal insights, and statistics with attendees. Chief Community Services Officer Cathy Burgos presented a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners. Several municipalities have also honored the DVOB with proclamations throughout the month, including Coral Gables, North Miami Beach, West Miami, Doral, Miami Beach, and Medley.

On October 7, the DVOB presented its 2022-23 Annual Report at the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners’ Housing, Recreation, Culture, and Community Development Committee. Additionally, at the DVOB's request, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino illuminated its iconic guitar in purple. The DVOB thanks them, the Stephen P. Clark Center, the Miami-Dade County Courthouse, Port Miami, Miami International Airport, the Frost Museum, and the many high-rises that added purple lights to the local October National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Campaign efforts.

A busy October for the

Asian American Advisory Board

On October 26 the Miami-Dade County Asian American Advisory Board (AAAB) was honored at Florida’s 42^nd Regional MEDWeek 2024 (U.S. Department of Commerce – MBDA Minority Enterprise Development Week) with the Legacy Award for Most Powerful   Community Advocacy. The recognition was presented by the MBDA Programs – Florida & U.S. Territories, operated by M. Gill & Associates, Inc.  Then on October 27, as a Miami Dolphins Football UNITES partner, AAAB members attended the Football UNITES CommUNITY Tailgate presented by Space Coast Credit Union as the Miami Dolphins took on the Arizona Cardinals. This event highlighted the wonderful opportunity for community members from various Football Unites groups to come together, enjoy a fun atmosphere, and experience a Miami Dolphins home game. 

AAAB members also attended the annual Lantern Festival hosted by the University of Miami Asian American Students Association on October 18. The Lantern Festival is a University of Miami tradition that serves as an extension of the lantern festivals and mid-autumn festivals celebrated across the world. AAAB is grateful to Gummakonda Reddy Foundation, Thai American Association of Florida, OCA South Florida, Asian AAFF - Asian American Federation of Florida, Florida Asian Services, and ACETalk for helping to sponsor this annual event.

Hispanic Heritage Month round-up

The Miami-Dade County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board (HAAB) held several events for Hispanic Heritage Month, observed annually from September 15 to October 15, and was active in the community at many others. HAAB co-sponsored the 7^th Annual Hispanic Heritage Book Fair with County Commission Vice Chairman Anthony Rodriguez, held at the Westchester Cultural Arts Center September 20-22.  HAAB also co-sponsored an “Expand Your Business Horizons: A Workshop for Hispanic-Owned Small Businesses,” along with County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera and the Miami-Dade County Office of Small Business Development on October 2 at Hialeah City Hall. 

On October 5 HAAB attended the annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration hosted by County Commission Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III at Country Village Park in District 1. And, to the delight of the County Commissioners, HAAB presented them with the new Celia Cruz U.S. Mint Quarter at the County Commission meeting of October 16. The Celia Cruz Quarter is the fourteenth coin created in the American Women Quarters Program Partnership between the U.S. Mint and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and is the first coin featuring an Afro-Latina figure.

Making Strides: Join us in supporting

breast cancer awareness!

The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, held on October 26 at Miami’s loanDepot Park, brought the community together in a powerful show of support. Miami-Dade County Commissioners, other elected officials, volunteers, and community members joined forces with the Office of Community Advocacy to honor survivors, support those currently battling breast cancer, and remember loved ones lost. Though the walk may be over, the fight continues—the Office of Community Advocacy team is still fundraising for this vital cause. Donate here and make a difference today!

Office of Community Advocacy

completes HELP workshop training

On October 29 the Office of Community Advocacy participated in the Help Emergency Life Protection (HELP) training course, equipping staff with critical skills to better serve and protect our community. This intensive two-hour training, provided by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR), covered essential lifesaving techniques to recognize and address common life-threatening emergencies. Through interactive lectures and hands-on skills practice, we learned how to respond in situations involving adult and pediatric hands-only CPR, AED (defibrillator) operation, early stroke recognition, stopping the bleed, and blocked airway emergencies for all ages. In the process we met some of the terrific men and women of MDFR who work tirelessly to keep us safe. We are grateful for their service.

Free mobile veterinary clinic

provides care for our pets

The Wellness on Wheels (WOW) free mobile veterinary clinic serves the needs of at-risk pets and pet owners in underserved communities throughout Miami-Dade County and is fully equipped to provide routine medical care to owned cats and dogs. Services include physical exams, wellness vaccines, deworming, and flea prevention. The WOW clinic will also refer clients to low or no-cost options for spay/neuter surgeries not offered at the clinic. Pets will be served on a first-come, first-served basis, appointments are not accepted. The WOW clinic will be rotating throughout various locations in the county and is stationed, through December 18, at 7605 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33141. Hours are Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Popular County Services

To reach the Property Appraiser click here

To reach the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller click here

Office of Community Advocacy 

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