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
Jolene Rasmussen
Representative of the Texas Council of Community Centers, Chair
Austin
Anna Gray
Adult Certified Peer Provider, Co-Chair
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
Elias Diaz
Provider
Eagle Pass
Tracy Hicks
Provider
Henderson
Jennifer Reed
Local Government
Dallas
Victoria Rodriguez
Managed Care Organization
Corpus Christi
Nasruddin Rupani
Advocate
Houston
Vanessa D'lise Vale Saenz
Advocate
Edinburg
Jordan Smelley
Youth/Young Adult with Lived Experience*
Burleson
Paul Walker
Other Interest in and Knowledge of Behavioral Health
Plainview
VACANT
Representative of a Federally Recognized Native American Tribe in Texas
VACANT
Adult with Lived Experience*
VACANT
Adult with Lived Experience*
VACANT
Representative of the Association of Substance Abuse Programs
VACANT
Local Government
VACANT
Parent of a Child with Serious Emotional Disturbance
*“Person with Lived Experience” means someone living with a diagnosis of a mental illness or substance use disorder.
Meeting Dates
- February 3, 2023 (9:00 a.m.)
- May 5, 2023 (9:00 a.m.)
- August 4, 2023 (9:00 a.m.)
- November 10, 2023 (9:00 a.m.)