2/5/2012 7:47:21 AM
A basic assumption of transformation in Texas is that it must occur at both the state and local levels and value active consumer participation. Activities at the state level alone will not result in improved access or outcomes at the local level. As policies and programs developed at the state level ultimately impact a community's ability to seamlessly integrate services at the local level, a bottom up and a top down approach to change and communication is needed. Transformation must occur in a bidirectional manner, and local community collaboratives are seen as critical components to address fragmentation and the silo mentality, leading to meaningful and sustained change.
The collaboratives were selected through a Request for Application process that sought communities with broad representation, interest in participating, and that also met specific criteria related to the President's New Freedom Commission Goals. Selection of collaboratives was competitive and methods of selection ensured coverage of the wide range of geographic, cultural, and demographic diversity of the state.
Twenty communities applied to participate and ultimately eight were selected for funding. These eight collaboratives, representing about one-third of the state's population, are willing and have demonstrated commitment to own mental health as a community problem.
It is important to note that the MHT provides very limited financial support and that these collaboratives have dedicated significant local funds to achieve their goals, leveraging resources and committing to the collaboration and integration that true transformation requires. The additional local funds being leveraged by community collaboratives for transformation exceeds one million dollars.
The community behavioral health collaborative sites will be critical crucibles for system transformation and will serve as incubators and models for translation in other communities. Those communities that were not selected have been invited to participate and receive technical assistance with proposed initiatives. In that the state's emphasis and resource allocation for community collaboratives has increased considerably from the original proposal, the Department of State Health Services will undertake a competitive procurement process to select the best qualified entity to coordinate, support and document the development of this aspect of Mental Health Transformation activities in the next year.