Promoting Independence for Mental Health Overview

In FY 2000 and FY 2001 the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, with the assistance of human service agencies, consumers and other stakeholders developed the Texas Promoting Independence Plan in response to Executive Order GWB 99-2 and the Olmstead decision.

Also, the Texas Legislature in the 77th session passed legislation related to Promoting Independence that will impact the provision of behavioral health services in the TDMHMR system. Four populations of individuals with mental illness are considered to be in the Behavioral Health Promoting Independence population.

• SB 367 addresses individuals who have been admitted to a facility of TDMHMR for inpatient mental health services three or more times in 180 days. These individuals are presumed to be eligible for intensive community-based services and supports. Click here for information regarding the qualitative study. Click here to see data from the electronic analysis for this population.
  
  
• HB 2258 directs TDHS to identify individuals in nursing facilities who have mental illness or mental retardation and are considering making a transition to a community-based setting. TDHS must provide TDMHMR with information about the nursing facility residents before the transition is made. TDMHMR shall determine the need for and the level of services required by the individuals making the transition and provide or refer for needed services. Click here for nursing facility contact list for Community MHMR Centers.
  
  
• The Promoting Independence Plan recognized that some persons have state hospital lengths of stay over twelve months. This population will be tracked by DSHS and barriers to community placement will be identified and analyzed. Click here to see data related to state hospital length of stays.