Local Mental Health Authorities

Community mental health services are provided through Local Mental Health Authorities/Local Behavioral Health Authorities, also referred to as community mental health centers. The LMHAs/LBHAs provide services to a specific geographic area of the state, called the local service area. See a list of all the community mental health centers.

Behavioral Health Services at Health and Human Services Commission requires each authority to plan, develop policy, coordinate and allocate and develop resources for mental health services in the local service area. BHS contracts with 39 community mental health centers 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. The Texas Health and Human Services has contracted with the University of Texas Health Science Center Department of Psychiatry to coordinate and implement this project. Learn more about CTI training opportunities.

Contracted mental health centers 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 mental health centers or their subcontractor. HHSC approved evidence-based practices and training requirements for contracted mental health centers and Texas Resilience and Recovery services subcontractors can be found in the performance contract Information Item A – Training and Competency (PDF).

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

Texas TRAIN is a national learning management network comprised of 31 affiliates with their own learning management system. TRAIN has almost 1 million registered users and over 30,000 courses available in various areas of public health. TRAIN is a great resource for all those interested in public health and the latest in worldwide health issues, goals and programs. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is a TRAIN affiliate and frequently provides up-to-date information as well as training on many issues. Link to Texas HHS DSHS webpage: https://tx.train.org/DesktopShell.aspx

CMBHS Access and Request and End User Agreement

  1. After downloading Form 5007, CMBHS Access Request and User Agreement, complete the form fields, print, review, sign and submit the document.
  2. To submit, please scan the document to create an electronic version displaying your signature. Email the electronic version to MH Contracts.
  3. 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 Unit
    Mail Code 2058
    P. O. Box 149347
    Austin, TX 78714-9347

    Overnight Mail
    Texas Health and Human Services Commission
    Mental Health Contracts Management Unit
    Mail Code 2058
    909 West 45th St., Bldg. 552
    Austin, TX 78751

Guidelines and Handbooks

Rates

Rules

The LMHAs and LBHAs must comply with applicable mental health service rules residing in Title 25, Part 1 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:

Texas Administrative Code, Title 26, Part 1:

Resources

Additional resources regarding evidence-based practices are available at:

Contact us:
AdultMH@hhsc.state.tx.us