Texas Border Business
PHARR, TX – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced it is awarding $45 million in grant funds through the Community Mental Health Grant Program that supports mental health services and projects in Texas.
“The Community Mental Health Grant Program allows Texas to provide additional and vital mental health support to residents in need,” said Sonja Gaines, HHS deputy executive commissioner for Intellectual and Developmental Disability & Behavioral Health Services. “Promoting mental health programs in Texas is a priority for HHSC, and grant programs like these provide opportunities to help people across the state who are in need of support.”
The grant funds will go to 53 different entities over two years, funding local mental health and behavioral health authorities, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions and local governmental agencies located across the state.
“Congratulations to each local community mental health provider selected to receive much needed funding through the Community Mental Health Grant Program established by H.B. 13 (85R),” said State Rep. Four Price. “I thank the HHSC staff who diligently administer this program, and I especially thank all those who work on the front lines each and every day in providing these essential services to our fellow Texans.”
The 86th Legislature appropriated $45 million in 2019 to continue the Community Mental Health Grant Program in 2020 and 2021.
Awards for the Community Mental Health Grant Program were determined through a competitive procurement process. Grant awardees are required to match a portion of the state’s grant award to demonstrate their commitment to addressing local mental health needs.
As part of this initiative, four separate Boys & Girls Club organizations in Hidalgo County have joined together to offer the Youth & Family Support Services Initiative. Youth & Family Support Services (Y&FSS) serves as the first line of defense in addressing the mental, emotional, and behavioral health needs of children & families in Hidalgo County.
Together the clubs provide increased access to mental health services; mental health promotion and trauma informed vigilance to help identify early signs of mental health disorders in youth; and prevention of the onset of mental, emotional, and behavioral health disorders in youth through the provision of prevention, and early intervention services.
Participating clubs include the Boys & Girls Clubs of Pharr-San Juan, Edinburg, McAllen, and Weslaco. Programs are administered by a Club Social Worker at each location, and beginning this fall will be supplemented by youth-based clinicians throughout the various locations. Youth Based Clinicians will provide free counseling to children & families in crisis.
Boys & Girls Clubs in Hidalgo County have played an integral role in youth development for over 50 years, combined they provide daily programs and services to over 25,000 youth each year.
For more information about Youth & Family Support Services at Boys & Girls Clubs, contact Maria Palomo, LCDC, LPC, Program Director at (956) 781-5437 or the Club Social Worker at participating locations.
