St. Petersburg – On Tuesday, Pinellas County commissioners voted unanimously to end the county’s funding of a centralized forensic examination program for sexual assault survivors operated by the nonprofit Suncoast Center. The termination agreement is set to expire on Dec. 31, giving the county less than three months to determine how examinations, evidence collection and related services will be provided beginning in 2025.
According to St. Pete Catalyst, the county has contributed roughly $180,000 annually to the program, while Suncoast has used its own operating funds. The nonprofit now faces a shortfall of about $610,000, which it says it can no longer cover. County Human Services Director Karen Yatchum noted that the program’s financial gap and performance concerns have driven the decision.
Suncoast’s performance has been under scrutiny. A Tampa Bay Times investigation found that the organization stopped staffing forensic nurses overnight, leaving some survivors waiting eight to twelve hours for exams. The Florida Council Against Sexual Violence placed Suncoast on a 90‑day corrective‑action plan for delays, victim‑advocacy issues and failure to notify partner agencies about overnight coverage gaps.
During the meeting, Vice Chair Chris Latvala questioned whether prior assurances from Suncoast leadership accurately reflected staffing problems. Suncoast President and CEO Jean Pierre defended the organization, saying an outside nurse consultant found no irregularities and that the nonprofit has offered retention bonuses and hired four additional nurses undergoing training.
County officials have proposed that roughly 15 area hospitals each contribute $40,000 annually to keep the existing centralized program operating. If hospitals do not provide the funding, they would need to arrange examinations themselves, a process that requires specialized training and could take four to six hours per exam.
Commissioners expressed mixed concerns. Chairman Dave Eggers preferred the centralized model for its privacy and empathy, while Commissioner René Flowers emphasized the need for ongoing care beyond the initial exam. Commissioner Chris Scherer asked whether the county should take a “hands‑off” approach or lead efforts to ensure a replacement plan is in place.
County staff explained that the agreement requires 30 days’ written notice before termination. Although commissioners could have delayed the decision until November, they chose to proceed. Yatchum said discussions with hospital executives and Suncoast officials will continue, and County Administrator Barry Burton offered to provide progress reports in November and December.
What’s next: Hospital leaders will meet with county officials in the coming weeks to decide whether to fund the existing program or develop individual forensic exam capabilities. The county expects progress updates by November and December, and commissioners may issue another letter urging hospitals to resolve the funding shortfall before the Dec. 31 deadline.
Sources: stpetecatalyst.com
