2008 Local Planning and Network Development

FY 2009-2010 Local Service Area Plan DRAFT
(including Local Planning and Network Development Plan)

Over the last six months, ATCMHMR has been has been gathering input from consumers, the Planning and Network Advisory Committee and community stakeholders to develop the Local Service Area Plan Draft. ATCMHMR thanks those invested and committed in the planning processes.  The Draft Plan comment period from July 1, 2008 to August 15, 2008 has ended.

Following Board of Trustees approval at the September 25, 2008 meeting, the ATCMHMR Local Service Area Plan for FY 2009-2010 will be submitted to Texas Department of State Health Services. Please contact Marietta Noel, Senior Planner at 512-445-7739 with any questions or via email at marietta.noel@atcmhmr.com.

FY 2009-2010 Local Service Area Plan DRAFT
(including Local Planning and Network Development), pdf

Plan Borrador del Área de Servicio Local, Año Fiscal 2009 - 2010, pdf

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.