Changes
Underway for Mental Health Service System in Texas
During the Texas Legislature’s 80th Regular Session in 2007,
House Bill (HB) 2439 was signed by the Governor. HB 2439 amended
Subchapter B, Chapter 533 of the Health and Safety Code to add a
new Section 533.03521, titled "Local Network Development Plan
Creation and Approval." This house bill, effective September
1, 2007, requires all Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHA) to
develop an implementation plan that assembles a network of service
providers in which the LMHA, including Austin Travis County Mental
Health Mental Retardation Center (ATCMHMR), may only serve as a
provider of last resort.
ATCMHMR's implementation plan, referred to as Local Planning and
Network Development (LPND), is required to include input from all
relevant stakeholders and ensures the following:
1. The protection of consumer choice,
2. Safety net services,
3. The recognition of local differences and readiness,
4. A timeline responsive to the community’s need,
5. No disruption of existing services to consumers, and
6. The process is publicly transparent
Ultimately the rule requires that ATCMHMR implements a local planning
process which includes determining which of our services can be
contracted with other service providers. It also requires that ATCMHMR
determines prioritization for contracting out other services in
the future.
The process of Network Development will take place over the next
few years. The rule has many underlying purposes, but one of the
most important is that we provide our consumers and families with
the opportunity for choice when it comes to choosing a service provider.
While we can't determine the level of provider responses we will
have during this process, our goal is to find qualified service
providers for consumers and families to choose from when they have
need for services.
ATCMHMR must complete and submit their plan to Texas Department
of State Health Services (DSHS) by September 30th. Most of Austin/Travis
County’s stakeholder input (including important advocacy organizations)
must be received by June 15th. ATCMHMR will be gathering input and
addressing concerns. An online survey will be available late April,
2008.
Visit often for updated information about LPND stakeholder input
opportunities, upcoming survey activities, and to preview a copy
of the draft plan for your review and comments July 1, 2008.
|
2008 LPND Plan Timeline
April 1 – 30
Educate stakeholders on the LPND process by sharing information
with staff, stakeholders Advisory Committee involvement,
Community Forums and a Community Needs Survey.
May 1 – 31
Continue eliciting input and informing stakeholders (consumers,
staff, providers, and the general public) with opportunities
to obtain information about the process and how to
provide feedback.
May 15 – June 15
Develop plan utilizing template provided by DSHS and incorporating input received
and ongoing
June 15 – 30
Review draft plan prior to posting online.
July 1 – 18
Publish draft Local Service Area Plan (includes LNDP) online for public review and comment.
July 21 - August 31
Review comments received and revise plan as appropriate, documenting
all input received. Submit Plan with comments for review &
feedback.
September 1 - 25
Final review of Plan with comments and subsequent approval
of the Plan by the Board of Trustees for submission to DSHS.
September 30, 2008
Submit to DSHS and post online.
|
|
