Travis County Commssioners Court
February 18, 2003
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
Item 4
Number 4 is to approve resolution supporting increased funding for mental health and mental retardation services for the state of Texas. And it reads -- it reads, whereas the success and vitality of every Texas community depends on the good health and productivity of its residents, whereas the state has found that adults with serious mental illness who do not receive health care are twice as likely to spend time in jails and prison and the percentage of youth placed on probation or in need of mental health care. Whereas, Texas is the second-fastest growing state and has the second end largest population, and yet Texas ranks 43rd in the nation in per capita funding for community hell and community retardation services. Whereas, as a result of a growing population and rising health care costs and low funding as of June 2002, Travis County, served by Austin-Travis County mhmr has 757 people with serious disabilities waiting for needed support services and statewide over 25,000 wait for services, some for over seven years. Whereas the united states surgeon general tells us that one in five people will have a mental disorder in any given year and that if left untreated mental illness in adults can have a significant and continuing affect on the children in their care. Whereas our county appointed community mhmr center board has developed and manages a accountable system of public health and mental retardation services with limited funds that have been effective and efficient. Whereas additional funding for services in 2004 and 2005 to meet our growing population and rising health care costs would benefit our community by, one, adding intensive mental health service options to get high-need adults and youth with serious mental illness into effective treatment instead of costly services in jails, indigent clinics, hospitals and institutions. And the implication there is they can pay them even Travis County money. Two, ending long waiting lists for a central community -- essential community services which enable text answer with extraordinary needs to live and work in their community with the support of family and friends. Three, providing early treatment for young children at risk or serious mental disabilities thereby increasing the opportunity for rehabilitation and reducing the need for more expensive care in common years, and, four, strengthening the mental health safety net for our community. Now therefore be it resolved that the Travis County commissioners court urges the 78th Texas legislature to support the Texas department of mental health and mental retardation's funding request for 2004 and 2005. And be it further resolved that support for increased funding for mental health and mental retardation services will be added to Travis County's legislative agenda during the current legislative session. And I move approval.
>> second.
>> good morning.
>> good morning.
>> one of you look -- I know both of you. One of you is very familiar.
>> I believe so. I think she is more familiar than I am.
>> your full names for the record and for the hundreds of thousands of people who are watching this t.v. Program. [laughter].
>> I'm beverly scarborough, the public information officer for Austin-Travis County mhmr center.
>> I'm donna Biscoe, Austin county mhmr center, communications department.
>> welcome both of you. Any additional comments?
>> we thank you for fighting a good fight for us.
>> we have a beautiful proclamation you can carry with us.
>> thank you.
>> and we'll keep a copy for our records and this will probably show up at the legislature somewhere, let them know we stand behind it. All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. Donna, you get a handshake too. [laughter].
>> valentine's day is over.
>> thank you all.
Last Modified: Wednesday, April 2, 2003 10:25 AM