Legislative Services

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is set to release a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Rural Mental Health Initiative Grant Program on May 17. The program, established by Senate Bill 1677 by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) in the 88th Legislature, aims to reduce recidivism, arrest and incarceration rates among individuals with mental illness, as well as to decrease wait times for forensic commitment.

The RFA requires applicants to submit funding requests within 30 days of its release, or by June 17. In collaboration with local mental health authorities, HHSC will contract with nonprofit organizations or local governments to establish or expand behavioral health centers or jail diversion centers. These centers will provide various services, including additional forensic hospital beds, competency restoration services, inpatient and outpatient mental health services for adults and children, and programs to reduce recidivism and arrest rates among individuals with mental illness.

At least $3 million has been allocated for grant and administrative costs to serve one or more rural Texas counties. Counties with a population of less than 250,000 are eligible for the program.

A key provision of the bill requires the State Auditor to audit the number of inmates in county jails awaiting transfer to a forensic hospital bed for competency restoration services. The audit will identify any issues and inefficiencies in the commitment process. In addition, the State Auditor must submit a report to the Texas Legislature by Dec. 1.

See this posting regarding the RFA for the Rural Mental Health Initiative Grant Program for more information. Once published, the RFA will be posted on TAC's Grant Opportunities webpage.

For inquiries about this article, please contact Zelma Smith or Pete Winckler.