Apalachee Center honored three of the state's champions for behavioral healthcare Monday, Jan. 13. This year's recipients were Florida House of Representatives Speaker Designate Sam Garrison, Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris and Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young.

Apalachee Center is the largest comprehensive behavioral healthcare organization in the Big BendRegion, committed to helping North Floridians recover from substance use disorders, mental illness,emotional distress and behavioral challenges. With locations in Leon, Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson,Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla counties, Apalachee Center serves insured and uninsured Floridiansliving in a 5,500-square-mile area.

"The success of Apalachee Center's mission depends on our community partners and especially on community heroes - those leaders in public life who have championed the expansion and accessibility ofbehavioral healthcare services," said Jay Reeve, Ph.D., President and CEO of Apalachee Center and Chairof Florida's Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder.

"We are so fortunate in Florida to have the advocacy and support of Representative Garrison, Secretary Harris and Sheriff Young, each of whom has strengthened both local and statewide behavioral healthcare systems and, in doing so, has saved countless lives across this region and Florida."

Speaker Designate Sam Garrison was honored with words from Dr. Jay Reeve and Former House SpeakerJames Harold Thompson, a member of Apalachee Center's Board of Directors.

DCF Secretary Harris was honored for her commitment to improving Florida's approach to supportingvulnerable children and families.

Gadsden County Sheriff Young was honored for his dedication to the long-time partnership between theGadsden County Sheriff's Office and Apalachee Center.