Community mental health services are provided through local mental health authorities and local behavioral health authorities. The LMHAs and LBHAs provide services to a specific geographic area of the state, called the local service area. See a list of all LMHAs and LBHAs.
The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) requires each authority to plan, develop policy, coordinate, allocate and develop resources for mental health services in the local service area. HHSC contracts with 39 LMHAs and LBHAs to deliver mental health services in communities across Texas. These contracts are commonly known as performance contracts.
Training
The Centralized Training Infrastructure for Evidence Based Practices is designed to aid in the development of a training infrastructure to support the delivery of mental health services in Texas. HHSC contracts with The University of Texas Health Science Center’s Department of Psychiatry to coordinate and implement this project. Learn more about CTI training opportunities.
Contracted LMHAs, LBHAs and Texas Resilience and Recovery services subcontractors must meet training requirements for HHSC-approved evidence-based practices prior to the provision of support services. Completion of the requirements are documented and maintained by LMHAs and LBHAs, or their subcontractors. HHSC-approved evidence-based practices and training requirements can be found in the performance contract Information Item A – Training and Competency (MS Word).
To assist providers implementing evidence-based practices, webinars on the following models and topics are offered based on need:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Supported Employment – Individual Placements and Supports
- Assertive Community Treatment
- Permanent Supportive Housing
- Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths and Adult Needs and Strengths Assessment
- Implementation of Multiple Evidence-Based Practices
- Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders
- Cultural Competency
CMBHS Access and Request and End User Agreement
- After downloading Form 5007, CMBHS Access Request and User Agreement, complete the form fields, print, review, sign and submit the document.
- To submit, please scan the document to create an electronic version displaying your signature. Email the electronic version to MH Contracts.
- If the form cannot be emailed, please mail the signed form to:
U.S. Postal Mail
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Mental Health Contracts Management, MC 2058
P.O. Box 13247
Austin, TX 78711-3247
Overnight Mail
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Mental Health Contracts Management, MC 2058
4601 W. Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78751-3146
Guidelines and Handbooks
- Adult Need and Strengths Assessment
- Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths
- Texas Cultural Competence Guidelines for Behavioral Health (PDF)
- Texas Resilience and Recovery
- Utilization Management Guidelines and Manual
Rates
- Medicaid Billing Guidelines
- Medicaid Fee Schedule
- TRR Mental Health Case Management Billing Guideline 2007 (PDF)
- TRR Mental Health Rehabilitative Services Billing Guidelines 2007 (PDF)
Rules
LMHAs and LBHAs must comply with applicable mental health service rules of the Texas Administrative Code, including prevention standards, case management, rehabilitative standards and client rights. The specific chapter and subchapter references are as follows:
Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1:
- Chapter 404, Subchapter E, Rights of Persons Receiving Mental Health Services
- Chapter 411, Subchapter B, Interagency Agreements
- Chapter 411, Subchapter G, Community Centers
- Chapter 412, Subchapter B, Contracts Management for Local Authorities
- Chapter 412, Subchapter C, Charges for Community Services
- Chapter 414, Subchapter L, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation in Local Authorities and Community Centers
Texas Administrative Code, Title 26, Part 1:
- Chapter 301, Subchapter F, Provider Network Development
- Chapter 301, Subchapter G, Mental Health Community Services Standards
- Chapter 302, Subchapter A, Mental Health First Aid
- Chapter 306, Subchapter A, Standards for Services to Individuals with Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders (COPSD)
- Chapter 306, Subchapter B, Standards of Care in Crisis Stabilization Units
- Chapter 306, Subchapter D, Mental Health Services--Admission, Continuity, and Discharge
- Chapter 306, Subchapter E, Mental Health Case Management
- Chapter 306, Subchapter F, Mental Health Rehabilitative Services
- Chapter 307, Subchapter A, Youth Empowerment Services (YES)
- Chapter 307, Subchapter C, Jail-Based Competency Restoration Program as applicable and available
- Chapter 307, Subchapter D, Outpatient Competency Restoration as applicable and available
Resources
- Cognitive therapy resources
- Charges for Community Services Brochure (PDF)
- Charges for Community Services Brochure (PDF in Spanish)
- Local Planning and Network Development provides guidance and information to all stakeholders, including private providers, who might be interested in the provision of mental health services in collaboration with LMHAs/LBHAs throughout Texas.
- Local Authority Monthly Ability-to-Pay Fee Schedule for 2024 (PDF)
- Local Authority Monthly Ability-to-Pay Fee Schedule for 2024 (PDF in Spanish)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - Learn about the many topics that highlight SAMHSA's efforts to prevent and reduce the impact of mental illness and substance use in America's communities
- Uniform transportation standards for qualified transportation services providers taking patients to designated mental health facilities
- Local Mental Health Authorities - Mental Health TX
Additional resources regarding evidence-based practices are available at:
For questions related to Adult Mental Health Services or evidence-based practices, email AdultMH.
For questions related to Children’s Mental Health Services, email Children’s Mental Health.