Revised October 22, 2010
Top Priority: Investment in Accessible, Effective Services for the Prevention and Treatment of Mental Illness and Substance Abuse
√ Funding for prevention and treatment of mental illness and substance abuse for adults and children at the level of appropriation for the 2010-2011 biennium, plus adjustments for inflation, case load growth and repair/maintenance of facilities.
√ Funding for Exceptional Items in state agency Legislative Appropriations Requests (LAR) that improve and expand prevention and treatment of mental illness and substance abuse for adults and children.
Veterans Health
√ Support legislative initiatives focused on veterans’ post-combat recovery and civilian readjustment, for example, support the Texas Veterans Commission funding and LAR Exceptional Items related to veterans’ health.
Immediate Post-Incarceration Medicaid for Eligible Inmates
√ Develop and lead legislative initiative to assure persons with mental illness and substance abuse disorders released from incarceration have benefits and resources in place to assure continuity of care and therefore reduce recidivism.
Suicide prevention
√ Develop and lead legislative initiative that establishes a yearly suicide prevention week to promote awareness and proven strategies to prevent suicides in adults and children.
Jail Diversion
√ Support the Texas Department of State Health Services LAR EI for jail diversion for certain accused misdemeanants with mental illness. (Contained in EI #9.)
Housing for Persons with Mental Illness
√ Support the Texas Department of State Health Services LAR EI for step-down housing for certain persons resident at state hospitals for longer than one year. (Contained in EI #4.)
√ Funding of $20 million for the biennium for the Homeless Housing and Support Services Program at the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
Prevention of Mental Illness
√ Support the Texas Home Visitation Coalition’s legislative recommendations including increased funding for Parents as Teachers.
Other Priorities: Mental Health America of Texas leads, participates in, and monitors many collaborative initiatives related to mental health. Initiatives that lead to key legislative recommendations that will prevent and effectively treat mental illness and substance abuse of Texans particularly related to veterans and their families, integrated health care, children with mental illness, boarding home regulation, justice-involved persons with mental illness, and others will be supported by Mental Health America of Texas.