TransCare Expands Baker Act Transports To Include Pasco County Students

PASCO COUNTY, FL — TransCare Medical Transportation Services, a division of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, has established a partnership with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office to manage all Baker Act transports initiated at Pasco County Public Schools.

It is common in Florida for these transports to be done in the back of patrol cars, even though these individuals have not committed a crime and are not being arrested. TransCare has an initial contract to provide these services throughout the remainder of the year.

When a student is on a Pasco County Public School campus and needs to be Baker Acted, the school resource officer contacts TransCare to request a transport. TransCare staff report to the designated school and safely transport the student to a Baker Act receiving facility for evaluation. TransCare has two vehicles stationed within Pasco County during school hours for easy travel throughout the county.

“At the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, we feel very strongly that an individual experiencing a behavioral health crisis deserves trauma informed care throughout the process. Our behavioral health transportation staff receive extensive training in mental health first aid and de-escalation techniques so they can provide immediate support and ensure the student is safely transferred to where they will receive the help they need,” said Clara Reynolds, president and CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.

“The Pasco Sheriff’s Office recognizes the stigma that can be associated with those who are in crisis when they are transported in a law enforcement vehicle,” Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said. “To end this stigma while making sure those who need resources are able to access them, we are proud to work with private transportation for our students on campuses across the county who are in crisis and need emergency mental health evaluations.”

Since implementing this program in February, Pasco sheriff’s deputies has called on the transport 54 times since implementing the program in February, reducing the stigma and trauma related to a Baker Act while assisting those in need.