Regional and Local Services

Vision

DSHS Regional and Local Services (RLS) will be recognized locally, statewide and nationally as key to the support of high quality essential public health services at the local level in Texas. Recognition of the value of essential public health services will permeate all levels of governance and all programs administered by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Texas residents and state officials will have confidence in the practice of public health in this state.

Mission

The mission of DSHS Regional and Local Services is to serve the needs of Local Public Health Agencies, DSHS Public Health Regions, and local communities in building and maintaining capacity to provide essential public health services responsive to local needs.

What's New

FY06 Local Public Health Services “Triple 0” Contracts - UPDATE

Our budget appropriation was finalized the week of the 15th of August. We are working with TALHO on the award process. The website will be updated as more information is available. So far, it looks like "good news," compared to the "worse case scenario" of a 30% reduction that was projected for FY06. The 6-month renewal contracts are "in the mail" -- once the budget was approved, the contract office began generating the contracts to mail. Please keep an eye out for the 6-month renewal contract to arrive in the mail in the next week or so. The FY06 contract awards should be approved for distribution by the end of this month. The FY06 renewal packets will then be posted on the website (and mailed) for locals to complete. The next step will be amendments to the contracts to annualize the term and amounts. For more information, please contact Elma Medina or Dan Smith, Regional and Local Services, 512-458-7770.

FY 06 LHD Contract Amendment Forms and Information

Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant - The Presidents proposed FY 2006 budget does not reflect funding for this block grant and it is currently slated for elimination in the CDC budget. In Texas, these funds are used for delivery of local public health services provided by the DSHS regional offices and local health departments. In addition, the grant funds support several DSHS program areas, including: pesticide exposure, birth defects registry, fluoridation, border health, trauma reporting and analysis, and BRFSS. For additional information, please contact DSHS Regional and Local Services Section at 512-458-7770, or see information available on the CDC website at: http://www.cdc.gov/fmo/PDFs/FY06budgetreqsummary.pdf

Strategic Priorities

Communicable Disease Control Measures - 05/17/2004
A Guide for Health Authorities in a Public Health Emergency

Last Updated September 30, 2005