Live Tampa Bay

10/08/2026

We appreciate being able to join the conversation. Thank you for the invite and keep up the great work, Jericho Road Ministries!

You can learn more about CEO Andrew Chamberlin is spending the next 24 hours on their page.

Thank you, Ashley Neal, from Live Tampa Bay, for stopping by the bench!

Join the livestream! → https://www.jericho-road.net/bench

10/07/2026

Addiction doesn’t stay at home when someone comes to work.

It can show up as absenteeism. Turnover. Safety concerns. Declining performance. Increased healthcare costs. And sometimes, an employee who is struggling but has no idea where—or how—to ask for help.

For employers and HR professionals, the question isn’t whether addiction can affect the workplace. It’s whether your organization is prepared when it does.

Live Tampa Bay’s HR Committee is presenting The Cost of Doing Business: The Bottom Line on Addiction, a two-part virtual Addiction Awareness Training designed to help employers better understand addiction and its impact in the workplace.

Led by Cheryl Brown Merriwether, MHR, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CM, CRSS, CPRC, Executive Director of ICARE, this series will bring practical insight from a leading voice in the field.

📅 October 20 & November 17
⏰ 1:00–2:00 PM
💻 Virtual via Zoom
🎓 2 SHRM credits provided

If you work in HR, leadership, employee wellness, benefits, risk management, or workforce development, this conversation belongs on your calendar.

Because addressing addiction in the workplace isn’t just about doing the right thing. It’s good business.

➡️ Register using the QR code on the flyer.

10/05/2026

October is Substance Use Prevention Month - Join us for a FREE webinar highlighting the deep connections between Prevention and Recovery. Register today and join us on October 22nd!

10/01/2026

📣 Last call for presenters!

The deadline to submit a workshop proposal for Live Tampa Bay’s 5th Annual Behavioral Health & Public Safety Summit is TOMORROW, October 2!

If you have expertise, innovative strategies or promising practices to share with professionals working across behavioral health and public safety, we want to hear from you.

Check out the submission details and get your proposal in before the extended deadline!

09/28/2026

Recovery is happening every day across Tampa Bay—and when we come together, we can make it visible.

From community leaders and partners to people with lived experience, our work is rooted in a shared belief that recovery is possible and that connection, compassion and collaboration can change lives.

Over the last four years, Live Tampa Bay and countless community partners have worked together to drastically reduce the number of opioid deaths in our region. In recent months we were proud to announce that overdose rates are down by over 50% in Tampa Bay!

Together, we’re building a Tampa Bay where people impacted by substance use have the opportunity, resources and support to find their path to recovery.

09/25/2026

The Pinellas County Commission has unanimously approved $25 million in opioid settlement funding for a behavioral health urgent care initiative, expanding access to treatment for people experiencing substance use disorders and other behavioral health needs.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2026/09/25/opioid-settlement-funds-pinellas-county/

The board of commissioners voted unanimously to approve a $25 million behavioral health urgent care using opioid settlement dollars.

09/24/2026

CONGRATULATIONS to the Tampa Bay Rays on winning the AL East! We are grateful to have the organization serve in our Leadership Coalition.

Earned the East

09/23/2026

What is addiction costing your workplace?

Substance use can impact every part of an organization—from employee well-being and workplace culture to productivity, absenteeism, retention, and the bottom line. Knowing how to recognize and respond to these challenges can make a difference for both employees and employers.

Join Live Tampa Bay’s HR/Employer Committee for a FREE two-part training on Addiction Awareness. This training will be led by Cheryl Brown Merriwether, Executive Director of ICARE.

The Cost of Doing Business: The Bottom Line on Addiction
📅 October 20 & November 17
⏰ 1:00–2:00 PM
💻 Zoom
🎓 2 SHRM credits available

Whether you work in HR, lead a team, or simply want to help create a healthier and more supportive workplace, we hope you'll join us!

Scan the QR code to register.

09/21/2026

Save the Date!

The 5th Annual Behavioral Health & Public Safety Summit returns on December 3, 2026, bringing together professionals from across our region to explore how we can better bridge the systems that respond to behavioral health and substance use challenges.

This year’s Summit will focus on First Responders, Courts, and Crisis Interventions, exploring how these systems intersect in responding to individuals experiencing mental health and substance use challenges. The Summit will also feature dedicated First Responder Wellness workshops, addressing the unique challenges faced by those who serve on the front lines and highlighting strategies to support their mental health, resilience, and overall well-being.

We are excited to announce our Featured Keynote Speakers:

🗣️Dennis Lemma - Seminole County Sheriff
🗣️Joe Smarro - Nationally Recognized Crisis Intervention Expert

Mark your calendar and stay tuned—registration and additional program details are coming soon!

🗓December 3 | 8:30 AM–2:30 PM
📍 Marriott – Westshore, Tampa
🎟️ No cost to attend