Behavioral Health Advisory Committee

The Health and Human Services Commission established the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee (BHAC) to serve as the planning council for the Mental Health Block Grant and the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant in accordance with the state's obligations under 42 U.S.C. §300x-3.

The BHAC members serve as stakeholders for the behavioral health system, monitoring operations and recommend improvements for allocation and adequacy of behavioral health services across the state.

Recommendations to the Health and Human Services system agencies regarding behavioral health services may relate to:

• Promotion of cross-agency coordination, state/local partnerships, and public/private partnerships in the funding and delivery of behavioral health services;
• Promotion of data-driven decision-making;
• Prevention of behavioral health issues and promotion of behavioral health wellness and recovery;
• Integration of services for both mental illness and substance use disorder in prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services and supports;
• Integrating delivery of behavioral health services and supports with delivery of physical health service;
• Access to services and supports in urban, rural, and frontier areas of the state;
• Access to services and supports to special populations;
• Rules, policies, programs, initiatives, and grant proposals/awards for behavioral health services; and
• Monitoring the five-year behavioral health strategic plan and coordinating expenditure plan developed by the Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council.

Members

Mark Carmona, (Chair)
Local Government
San Antonio

Elizabeth Henry, (Co-Chair)
Advocate
Austin

Jolene Rasmussen
Representative of the Texas Council of Community Centers
Austin

Anna Gray
Adult Certified Peer Provider
San Antonio

Olawale Adio-Oduola
Other Interest in and Knowledge of Behavioral Health
Richmond

Doug Beach
Family Member
San Antonio

Amy Curtis
Representative of the Interagency Coordinating Group for Faith and Community-Based Organizations
Dallas

Eric Sanchez
Provider 
San Angelo

Victoria Rodriguez
Managed Care Organization
Corpus Christi

Nasruddin Rupani
Advocate
Houston

Nicolas Sanchez
Youth/Young Adult with Lived Experience*
Austin

James Simmons
Other Interest in and Knowledge of Behavioral Health 
Pearland

Joe Fuentes
Adult with Lived Experience*
Houston

Yolanda Nelson
Adult with Lived Experience*
Dallas

Cynthia Humphrey
Representative of the Association of Substance Abuse Programs
Kerrville

Dana Drexler
Local Government
Houston

Nydia Garcia
Parent of a Child with Serious Emotional Disturbance
Dickinson

Christopher Gomez
Representative of a Federally Recognized Native American Tribe in Texas
Ysleta del Sur Pueblo

Diane Partin
Provider
Arlington

*“Person with Lived Experience” means someone living with a diagnosis of a mental illness or substance use disorder.

Meeting Dates

• November 8, 2024 (9 a.m.)
• February 7, 2025 (9 a.m.)
• June 16, 2025 (9 a.m.)
• August 1, 2025 (9 a.m.)
• November 7, 2025 (9 a.m.)

For More Information

Email the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee.