A New Monthly Newsletter. The Local Behavioral Health Authority s Contract with DSHS

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1 A New Monthly Newsletter Collin County s Behavioral Health system is going through a major transition! On September 28, the Collin County Commissioners Court named LifePath Systems as the Local Behavioral Health Authority and shortly thereafter received final approval of its plan from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The transition plan focuses on providing more care in Collin County and will be fully operational starting in January, To keep everyone informed about transition activities and changes in Collin County s Behavioral Health system, LifePath Systems announces a new monthly newsletter A Closer Look. Our goal is to provide valuable information about the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) contract for required services, updates on major projects, links to information about the transition, descriptions of new services, introduction of new LBHA employees, and important dates for upcoming provider and community meetings. We want you to be able to easily find the information you need to know about what is happening during this transition from one behavioral health system to another. And we want to be sure you know about meetings and trainings so you can participate fully in this process. The Local Behavioral Health Authority s Contract with DSHS Each year the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) contracts with designated authorities (LMHA or LBHA) to ensure the delivery of mental health services in communities across the state of Texas. This contract sets out very specific expectations (outlined in Texas Health and Safety Code 534, Section ) of the LMHA for both 1) the Authority and Administrative Services and 2) the Delivery of Services to the qualifying individuals served within that LMHA area. The State performance contract determines the number of individuals to be served and the available dollars from the state with which to provide the required services. LifePath is committed to being good stewards of the funding allocated to meet the behavioral health needs of Collin County citizens. Our monthly newsletters will be a chance to learn more about the different areas of the DSHS contract, progress on new services and opportunities for involvement.

2 Meet The Local Behavioral Health Authority Staff The Assistant Director of Authority Services will be responsible for implementing the BH Authority Functions. Responsibilities include supporting the Planning and Network Advisory Committee (PNAC), working with contract providers, communicating with community stakeholders and coordination of disaster services. We are pleased to announce the hiring of Parimal Pete Kabira, a 1999 graduate of the University of Connecticut, for this position. Mr. Kabira comes with extensive leadership experience and knowledge working with at risk adolescents and adults in both the community and residential settings. During his time at UConn, he volunteered working with troubled youths in both school and community settings. In addition, he interned at Saint Francis Hospital inpatient adolescent unit. After graduating from UConn, Mr. Kabira gained valuable experience by working many years with people with Intellectual Developmental Disability (IDD) and mental health challenges in a variety of settings. In April of 2008, Mr. Kabira joined LifePath Systems as a Service Coordinator for the Home and Community Based Service in the IDD division and was promoted to Program Administrator for the provider services that included Home and Community Based Services (HCS), Texas Home Living (TXHML) and Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF-IDD) for LifePath Systems. In October of 2013, Mr. Kabira joined the Behavioral Health division as the Program Administrator for the Eligibility / Screening and Utilization Management department. As a passionate and dedicated professional, Mr. Kabira believes in LifePath Systems mission and is committed to managing the Authority so that it makes a positive impact in the community. He considers each client an opportunity to make a real difference. In his personal time, Mr. Kabira enjoys the outdoors with his wife and two kids, volunteering for the local temple, and is an avid Bollywood music lover. Your input, questions and suggestions are important! Mental health and substance abuse services are a significant need in our county. There is a great chance we each know or love someone affected by these issues. LifePath Systems invites community member input and wants your help in designing the best system possible. We value your time however and will only call meetings when we have real issues to consider. For the first few months, we will be working with the State and with other Centers to establish the basic elements of the new system that are required by the Department of State Health Services contract. In the meantime, we welcome your input, questions and suggestions. You can contact us at the following address: LBHA_2017@lifepathsystems.org.

3 NAMI CONNECTIONS A support group for persons living with mental illness Every Thursday (except holidays) 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Custer Road United Methodist Church 6601 Custer Road, Plano Basement Floor Room B-6 NAMI FAMILY SUPPORT A support group for relatives and loved ones with mental illness Every Thursday (except holidays) 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Custer Road United Methodist Church 6601 Custer Road, Plano Basement Floor Room B-1

4 NEW PROSUMERS GROUP FIRST RESPONDERS SPECIAL NEEDS TRAINING A consumer led, consumer developed program that has you focus on wellness and recovery November 3 rd 12:00 p.m.to 3:00 p.m. TCOLE and TCFP Credits Available November 12 th 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cross Bend Christian Church 901 Cross Bend Road, Plano Collin County Preston Ridge Campus 9700 Wade Boulevard, Frisco See Flyer For More Information See Flyer For More Information COLLIN COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH SYMPOSIUM THE PLAYBOOK TO SUCCESS 2015 A mental health symposium designed for mental health professionals, emergency response personnel, attorneys, police officers and others November 19 th 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. McKinney Sheraton 1900 Gateway Boulevard, McKinney See Flyer For More Information

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