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General and Targeted Case Management

941-366-5333
Our case managers help clients gain access to the services needed to meet their mental health and personal needs, achieve recovery and live independently in the community. We coordinate service with other providers to help each individual achieve personalized goals.
The primary goal of general and targeted case management is to prevent the need for a higher level of care.
The purpose is to assist individuals in gaining access to the medical, social, educational, employment and other services they need.
We at First Step of Sarasota work on optimizing the functioning of individuals who have complex needs by coordinating and linking them to treatment and other resources to help them develop their own natural support system.

Community and School-Based Prevention

941 953-0000
Drugs, alcohol-suicide and behavioral education.
Our evidence-based prevention programs are designed to target the youth population. We offer a variety of free classes that include topics regarding the prevention of drugs and alcohol, peer pressure, staying healthy, communication, social relationships, bullying and the influence that social media has on today’s generation. We offer four curriculums:

  • Too Good For Drugs (High School and Middle School)
  • Marijuana Download the Facts
  • Say It Straight
  • SPORT Wellness

The curriculums cover the following topics: Drugs and Alcohol, Social Skills/Relationships, Goal Setting, Decision Making, Healthy Living, Bullying, Media Messages, Peer Pressure/Self-Esteem Communication.

If you are interested in having First Step provide prevention education to your after-school or in-school program, please click here 

Compeer Sarasota at Coastal

941 953-0000, Ext. 5132
Mentoring program for children with mental health disorders.

Family Life Intervention (FLIP)

941 953-0000
Family Life Intervention Program (FLIP) is an outreach program designed to improve the lives of at risk students ages 7 to 17 and their families. Students are referred by schools, community agencies, the court system, and their families.
A plan of action is developed that is appropriate for each individual and their family. The program combines the tutoring, mentoring, and social activities. Students and their family receive support to gain independence and self-sufficiency.
Finding help can be difficult…..we coordinate all the services for you!
The program provides stability, positive peer interaction and mentoring

Outpatient Mental Health:

Outpatient care coordination

Sarasota: 941-331-2530
North Port: 941-492-4300
The goal of care coordination is to assist individuals in accessing medical, social, educational, and other services that reflect the needs, preferences, strengths and goals of each individual. Follow-up is provided to determine the effectiveness of the services in meeting wellness and recovery goals. 

Psychiatric Services

Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication prescription and monitoring are provided by an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).
Individuals are encouraged to participate in adjunct outpatient individual and/or group therapies for optimal treatment outcomes and well-being.

Therapy

Sarasota: 941-331-2530
North Port: 941-492-4300
These services include individual and family treatment for emotional, behavioral and/or substance abuse problems. Our licensed professionals are trained in providing integrated treatment of co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders using best and promising practices that promote holistic health.

Outpatient Substance Abuse:

Telehealth

941-331-2530
Our web-based TeleHealth platform allows clients to schedule a face to face video session with our professionals from the comfort of their home, office or other location of their choosing. All they need is an internet connection and a computer or smart phone with a camera.
Speak with your provider to see if you are eligible.
Telehealth is available to non-insured and Florida Medicaid clients. Commercial plans may also cover this service. This service is also available to uninsured people. Ask us about Telehealth benefits under your plan.

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Contact Us

For more information about our programs, or to speak confidentially with one of us, please fill out the short form below. We look forward to hearing from you.
Please note: this email is for general information purposes only and should not be relied upon for urgent clinical needs or questions.  You will receive an auto-response once the form is submitted and received.  Please wait for the page to refresh to ensure your message is sent successfully.

News & Events

Detail image of place settings at the Caring Hearts Luncheon
Photo gallery of Caring Hearts Lunc...
The Caring Hearts event supports First Step's Mothers and Infants Program, a substance-abuse tr...
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Combined-First-Step-and-Behavior-Health-Logo
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Founda...
The Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant to support First Step of Sar...
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2021 Caring Hearts Luncheon resched...
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The First Step Toward a Better Tomorrow
3 Join First Step of Sarasota Board...
SARASOTA, Fla., Nov. 10, 2020 — First Step of Sarasota continues to build on the strategic positio...
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First Step launches teams to respon...
COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESPONSE TEAMSMobile Response Team (MRT) & Behavioral Health Respons...
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The First Step Toward a Better Tomorrow
First Step of Sarasota Announces Fo...
SARASOTA, Fla., Dec. 15, 2020 — First Step of Sarasota today announced the formation of a Behavior...
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Longtime Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight
First Step of Sarasota Names Sherif...
SARASOTA, Fla., Nov. 17, 2020 — First Step of Sarasota continues to build on the strategic positio...
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First Step Suicide Prevention Video
First Step Suicide Prevention Video...
First Step Suicide Prevention video. For more than 50 years, we have been "Caring for Our Community"...
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Tracey Weeden, head of First Step of Sarasota
Are Minorities More At Risk of Ment...
Local broadcast news outlet WSNN has done an interview with Tracey Weeden, head of First Step of Sar...
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The First Step Toward a Better Tomorrow
First Step and Coastal Behavioral H...
SARASOTA, Fla., July 1, 2020 – After a nine-month consolidation process, First Step of Sarasota an...
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Our Community Partners:

*Community partners are businesses that have chosen to support our organization as a community partner sponsor. If you are interested please click here for the sponsorship form.

Mental Health Partners:

FIRST STEP OF SARASOTA, INC. IS A 501 (C ) (3) ORGANIZATION. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION ON CH1573 MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE 800 435 7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.