Rural Mental Health Initiative Grant Program

The Rural Mental Health Initiative Grant Program establishes or expands behavioral health centers for adults experiencing mental illness and children experiencing serious emotional disturbances, or jail diversion centers for adults experiencing mental illness. The program supports community grant programs by providing mental health treatment, prevention and early intervention in rural Texas.

Services Provided

  • Outpatient and inpatient mental health services
  • Jail diversion programs

Grantees and Program Performance

HHSC uses data-driven performance measurements and reporting processes as part of administering each matching grant program. Grantees submit performance data every quarter for each grant-funded project. HHSC collects and analyzes this data to create and disseminate reports, such as annual report cards.

Grantee Eligibility

Rural Mental Health Initiative Grant Program funds are made available through a request for applications process to local mental health authorities, local behavioral health authorities, nonprofit organizations and governmental entities. Applicants must include at least one rural county in the proposal with a population of less than 250,000.

Match Requirements

Rural Mental Health Initiative Grant Program awards depend on matching funds, which can include cash or in-kind contributions from any person excluding state or federal funds. The match must equal:

  • 50% of the grant amount if the grant program is in a county with a population of less than 250,000 but equal to or more than 100,000.
  • 25% of the grant amount if the grant program is in a county with a population of less than 100,000.

If the program is in more than one county, the percentage is the grant amount needed for the largest county.

Legislative Statute and Enabling Legislation

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