February 2010

The City of Austin and Travis County have come a long way since the original appointment of the Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force in August of 2005, but not far enough.  We have fallen short of our goal to become a national model of a mentally healthy community. Planning efforts, while well-meaning, remain duplicative and have often failed to produce meaningful results.  Data development has been conducted in tandem efforts that result in competition for already inadequate funding streams. 

This is beginning to change.  Although solid, the Children and Youth Mental Health Planning Partnership, Austin Independent School District  and its planning partners, have been successful in drawing federal dollars to drive local collaborative  mental health efforts for children. The Austin/Travis County Suicide Prevention Coalition has made great strides in addressing issues related to suicide.  We have succeeded in implementing the first Mental Health Public Defender’s Office in the nation and have specialized programs at every interface between the mental health and criminal justice systems.  Numerous local and state funders have stepped-up to improve access for much needed and effective crisis services (click here to read report).  And, for perhaps the first time, groups are working together in an effort to reduce homelessness in Austin and Travis County and maximize very limited resources.

The MMHTFMC will shift from efforts in measuring system change, to effectuating system change over the next two years.  An Indicator Improvement Initiative will be convened to carry out this work and will be comprised of local expert panels to strategize about “what works” related to four indentified behavioral health community indicators.  We are confident this initiative will serve as a model for future system change in our community.   Supporting agencies and partners include Austin Travis County Integral Care, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, the City of Austin, the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, the St. David’s Community Health Foundation and Travis County.

Sincerely,
Susan Stone, M.D., J.D.
MMHTFMC Executive Coordinator