APPENDIX B: LOCAL
AUTHORITY
State Designated Local Authority
The concept of local authorities originated in Texas in 1984, as an administrative
act of the TDMHMR commissioner, acting as the state authority. The local mental
health and mental retardation authorities were conceived as entities at the
local level to which TDMHMR could delegate its authority. Originally, the
designation was related to service provision and lead responsibility for addressing
the needs of individuals returned to their home communities from state schools
and state hospitals. Community centers were named as the local authorities
in the areas they served, and state facilities' community services division
fulfilled these functions in areas not served by a local center. Local authorities
were added to the Health and Safety Code and statutory provisions required
that community centers be given preference as the designated Local Authority.
House Bill 2377, passed by the 74th session of the Legislature, was the catalyst
for significant changes in the understanding of the concept of local authority.
The state authority was authorized to delegate responsibilities to local entities.
House Bill 2377 introduced the important concepts of consumer choice and best
value, and placed the responsibility of ensuring both quality and cost-effectiveness
of the Local Authority as it develops and manages a network of providers.
In the 75th Legislature, the concept of the local authority was taken a step
further with House Bill 1734 which removed the statutory preference given
to community centers and required that a process be developed to determine
which community centers could be formally recognized as Local Authorities.
Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center served in developing
best practices and the agency is one of three pilot sites in Texas to further
develop rules and standards.
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City/County Designated Local Authority
Under an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement executed by the City of Austin
and Travis County local governments, the Austin Travis County Mental Health
Mental Retardation Center's responsibilities include (City of Austin, 1996,
January 5):
- Lead in assessment, planning functions relative to mental health, mental
retardation, and substance abuse services in support of the Community Action
Network.
- Include community providers and participants in a process of collecting
data and input on community needs and strengths.
- Lead CAN mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse planning
activities and identify the critical issue areas to be addressed in the
CAN application process.
- Participate in CAN performance review for contracted services.
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