Guidance/Care Center is a behavioral health provider that serves individuals and families across Monroe County. With an integrated and collaborative approach, Guidance/Care Center works in partnership with local agencies, schools, hospitals, private providers, law enforcement, and other behavioral health organizations to ensure comprehensive support for clients, consumers, and all stakeholders involved. A special focus is placed on women and pregnant women, who are given preference for the available services, ensuring their distinct needs are addressed within the community.
One of the core offerings at Guidance/Care Center is its round-the-clock triage service, available to all Monroe County residents. This 24-hour crisis response aims to prevent unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations, reduce emergency room use, and offer alternatives to incarceration by linking individuals with appropriate community-based behavioral health services. For youth with serious behavioral health conditions, the Community Action Team, or C.A.T, provides a multidisciplinary and complete wrap-around care model. This team delivers a safe and effective alternative to traditional interventions, helping young people and their families navigate challenges with intensive, personalized support.
Transportation is another essential service provided by Guidance/Care Center, which acts as Monroe County’s designated Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC). The center oversees a countywide network specifically catered to citizens who are transportation disadvantaged, supporting access to necessary care and services. Requests for transportation are managed efficiently, with accommodations made for both in-county and out-of-county trips, ensuring that mobility challenges do not become a barrier to receiving care.
Guidance/Care Center operates from multiple locations across the county, including Marathon, Key West, and Key Largo. These centers are open during standard business hours to offer a range of behavioral health treatments, educational programs, and support resources. The organization’s mission is rooted in ensuring that individuals, regardless of financial circumstances, have equitable access to vital mental health care, with discounts for essential services available based on family size and income. Whether through direct interventions like the C.A.T program, crisis response efforts, or practical support such as transportation coordination, Guidance/Care Center remains dedicated to enhancing the well-being and resilience of the Monroe County community.