Who We Are
The Heart of Texas Region MHMR Center is made up of caring professionals who are dedicated to helping individuals and families cope with mental illness, mental retardation, developmental delays, and emotional conflict. Currently we serve over 20,000 people each year in a six-county area. Read here for more...
Highlights and News
Baylor University and MHMR Collaborate on Behavioral Support Efforts
Beginning September 1, 2010, the Center for Developmental Services (CDS) will collaborate on a pilot project with the Baylor School of Education, Department of Educational Psychology to provide Behavior Support Services to 10 families and their children who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. This summer, Baylor University began to offer a certification program for aspiring Behavior Analysts. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is trained, qualified professional who implements ABA-based techniques, interventions, assessments, and other practices. In order for a professional to obtain a BCBA, he or she must (a) obtain a graduate degree, (b) successfully completed pre-approved university coursework, (c) complete an extensive supervised field experience, and (d) pass a national exam (BACB, 2010). A BCBA can play an integral role in the team supporting an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability; unfortunately there are simply not enough BCBAs in this area to meet the needs of families. This collaboration will allow students in the program to fulfill a majority of their clinical hours of direct service, and will help the Center to provide this valuable service to a ready supply of children and families requiring Behavior Support.
Behavior Support from a Certified Behavior Analyst can be cost- prohibitive for families, and certainly is a factor that prohibits wide-ranging Behavior Support services provided by the Center. Hourly rates can run as high as $100; rates for the skills training provided by the BCBA candidates range from $20 to $50 per hour. With this partnership, children and families in the project will receive up to 4 hours per week of training (40 hours total for all ten children) at a cost per hour of just $13.20 per hour to the Center. Clinical Supervision will be provided at no charge to the Baylor students (or to the Center) by Dr. Tonya Davis, Assistant Professor at Baylor University who is teaching the series of courses required in the BCBA program.
Behavioral Assessments and Program Development on children will begin in mid-July. Behavior Support and skills training by Baylor students will begin September 1, 2010. This initial program will run through July 31, 2011. As stated previously, we will begin with ten children/families, but as both the children and families learn skills and techniques that lead to a positive change in behavior, other children will be added. It is anticipated that we will serve at least 20 children and their families in the first 11 months of this program.
Staff at the Center for Developmental Services view this project as just the beginning of a long-term plan to provide a better array of services to the children and families that are in need of assistance beyond that provided by local school districts. We look forward to this project and wish to thank Dr. Davis for her enthusiasm and drive in getting this approved through Baylor.
Independence Center
The Independence Center continues to be an excellent resource for our community's veterans, in addition to other individuals in our community with mental health issues. Services at the Independence Center are available to anyone over 18 with mental health issues.
Hotline
The hotline is a continuously available telephone service staffed by trained and competent crisis counselors that provides information, screening and intervention, support, and referrals to callers 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The number is 1-866-752-3451. Or click here for full contact information including TDD.
Local Planning and Network Development
The Heart of Texas Region MHMR Center has completed a final draft of the 2010 Local Provider Network Development Plan.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has approved the Center's Local Plan and Network Development, its Attachments and its Amendment.
Please click here to view the Local Plan for Network Development (LPND) 2010-2011.
