Media Release | January 26, 2026
Pasco County Media Relations & Communications
~~ Teamwork on the Urgent Care Center provides immediate mental health care ~~
PASCO COUNTY, FL —- Celebrating Six Years of Impact! Once again, the National Community Development Association (NCDA) recognizes Pasco County Community Development (PCCD) as a winner of the 2026 Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award for our collaboration with BayCare on the Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center (UCC) – the FIRST of its kind in Florida!
“This facility is a game changer with essential mental health care for our customers,” says Pasco Board of County Commissioners Chair Jack Mariano. “Congratulations to our award-winning team.”
UCC bridges the gap in services for urgent substance use and/or mental health care for our vulnerable and low-to-moderate income customers by providing immediate access to services.
Key features of the UCC include:
- Outpatient care with extended hours
- Behavioral health alternative to ER
- Voluntary walk-in & hybrid services
- Access for anyone transitioning from jail/inpatient setting
Funding over $1.4M from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) secured infrastructure and renovation needs at the facility, leading to more funding for operations for the next several years.
Pasco will attend the 57th NCDA Winter Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 6, 2026, to receive this distinct honor. PCCD also received the Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
The Audrey Nelson Award recognizes exemplary local projects and programs funded through the HUD CDBG program and other HUD Office of Community Planning and Development funding. For more information, visit: ncdaonline.org.