To download a presentation of information as it pertains to community centers, click here. For a listing of bills, see Legislation section below.
Guiding Principals and Critical Issues for the 82nd Legislative Session
Click here to view a current list of critical behavioral health and developmental disabilities issues Integral Care and guiding principals adopted by Integral Care's Board of Trustees and affiliates - the Mental Health Task Force and New Milestones Foundation. Also included are legislative priorities from other local supporting organziations.
Legislation
Integral Care works with the Texas Council of Community Centers to monitor and respond to the latest policy developments and ensure fair consideration of behavioral healthcare needs as well as champion legislation that effectively serves local communities. This is done by closely tracking legislation.
Click here to see a final list of passed bills from our local delegation that were tracked during 82nd Legislative Session.
Additional bill information and details:
Texas Council of Community Centers, pdf
Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities
Financial Impact of Funding Cuts from 82nd Legislative Session on Integral Care
It's important to remember that our system is at capacity and demand continues to grow. It is this growth that will be a challenge to manage and we will continue to look at ways to improve efficiencies and seek other funding sources. Currently we are seeking resources to address these growing demands and service gaps with local foundations and partners such as New Milestones Foundation and St. David's Foundation.
| FY 2012 | FY 2013 | |
|
Adult Mental Health
|
0 | 0 |
|
Children's Mental Health
|
424,000 | 549,000 |
| Crisis Services | 0 | 0 |
| Substance Abuse | <129,000> | <129,000> |
| DADS | <1,199,000> | <1,242,000> |
| DARS (Early Childhood Intervention Program) | <435,000> | <435,000> |
| Criminal Justice | <96,000> | <96,000> |
|
Total
|
<1,435,000> | <1,353,000> |
Most concerning are the steep general revenue funding cuts for services to individuals and families with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are on a waiting list for or are not currently eligible for a Medicaid Waiver program. This program includes services for respite, supported home living and employment, minor home modifications, nursing and behavioral supports. The Appropriations Bill assumes taking 27 percent of these funds and is using them to refinance eligible individuals into the Texas Home Living Waiver Program and having services paid for by Medicaid. Individuals being financed into the Texas Home Living Waiver could choose between other private providers or services from their community center. Our funding loss will be determined by the number of individuals who choose us as a provider and the amount of Medicaid revenue (based on established rates) we would earn, a significant change in the finance method.
