Funding, contracts issued for Mental Health Court

HAYS COUNTY — Hays County’s new Mental Health Court (MHC) is making an impact, but more resources are needed to continue its progress ahead of a growing caseload.

During its March 28 meeting, the Hays County Commissioners Court unanimously approved two items that will provide the MHC with $195,602 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds along with five mental health service contracts with various providers, both aimed to expand services and further the MHC’s reach and mission.

The MHC officially began in 2022. It’s a 12-month, three-phased rehabilitative treatment court for those with mental health, substance use or intellectual developmental disabilities facing pending legal charges.

Mental Health Court Administrator Kaimi Mattila said that the court currently has nine participants and are on track to have a caseload of 30 to 35, which is an “astounding number” for a court as new as this. Court participants are volunteering, working, going to college and achieving mental wellness, stabilization and the goals they set out to achieve, she said — but the need for more support is not slowing down.

“As the court grows, so does our need to expand services to meet each individual court participant’s needs,” Mattila explained. “Counseling services, including trauma-focused therapies and substance use counseling; transitional housing for those who are unhoused; intensive case management to serve higher need individuals; inpatient hospitalization for those in need of immediate stabilization; and substance use treatment to support those maintaining sobriety.”

According to agenda documents, ARPA funding was earmarked over a three-year period for this court. However, additional funding was identified for Fiscal Year 2023 to help meet more court needs, including an electronic case management system to maintain case notes, treatment plans, intake documents and marketing materials to continue community outreach and engagement.

Counseling is also a requirement of the MHC for participants to graduate successfully. Mattila explained that entering into contracts with multiple counselors with different specialties would allow court participants to access individualized and appropriate treatment. Plus, the partnerships would allow the court as a whole to expand its services to support individuals with higher intensive case management needs and increase the efficiency of the referral process into the court.

The contracts will enable the MHC to set up a referral flow and agreement that Hays County will pay for counseling services for those who cannot afford copays or do not have health insurance to cover the cost of counseling.

Additionally, the contract with Horton House — a sober living transitional house for adult men — would enable the MHC to cover its cost at only $535 per month. Similarly, the contract would allow the MHC to set up a referral flow and agreement that Hays County would pay for housing services for those who meet criteria for the court but do not have stable housing.

The ARPA-funded counseling service contracts amounts are as follows:

• C. Nichole Mueller-McMorris, LCSW: $15,000

• Allison and Associates Counseling, PLLC: $15,000

• Lisa Hinson, LCDC: $15,000

• Moonstone Counseling, PLLC: $30,000

• Horton House, 501(c)(3): $44,940

County Court-at-Law 3 Judge Elaine Brown also serves on the MHC team. She noted that one of the biggest issues the court faces is identifying which services they need are available in Hays County and oftentimes, have to go outside of the county to find and get them.

“If we are going outside the county, we’re asking them to come and invest in Hays County as well and bring their people here so they can be part of our community,” Brown said. “Hopefully, that will continue to grow.”

“We’re asking for money now, but the long view is that we can actually save the county money by getting some of these people out of our jails where a lot of them are currently residing, unfortunately. Or, they are continuing to go back into that system,” she continued. “Our idea is that by investing in these programs now and investing in these resources now, we can actually save the county money in the long run.”

Though it has been a long process and uphill battle, the commissioners have been staunch advocates and supporters of the MHC. Now, with the additional funding and contracts approved, the county can continue to see progress in its mental health space and legal system.

“It’s great when you have new leadership come in with a perspective where you can see so much opportunity for improvement,” Pct. 2 Commissioner Michelle Cohen said. “I see the passion. I understand the passion for the work that you do. That mental health piece is very important for us.”

“The word ‘holistic’ has been criticized to some degree, but that’s what it is,” Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe added. “We need this type of approach to ensure that those individuals are getting the help that they need.”