The Houston Health Department (HHD) requests City Council to approve an ordinance authorizing a first amendment to an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Houston and the Mental Health Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County (MHMRA).
The amendment adds federal requirements associated with MHMRA’s use of Community Development Block (CDBG) funds provided by the City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department to HHD for the administration of the Community Based Mental Health Services Program.
The provisions incorporated into the agreement pertain to MHMRA’s compliance with the following federal regulations: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (prohibits discrimination); Environmental Standards; National Flood Insurance Program; Displacement, Relocation, Acquisition; Section 3 of the Housing and urban Development Act of 1968; Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act; use of Debarred, Suspended, or Ineligible Contractors or Sub-recipients; Uniform Administrative Requirements and Cost Principles; Conflict of Interest; Executive Order 12372; Eligibility for Certain resident Aliens; Findings Confidential; Court Actions; Records for Audit Purposes; Compliance with Clean Air and Water Acts; Architectural Barriers Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act; other provisions.
HHD and MHMRA will continue to collaborate in an effort to increase the provision of clinical services, to improve service coordination through clinical staffing and quality assurance activities, and to increase knowledge and skills about mental health and related topics through training and development activities.
Clinical services include 1) mental health screening and assessments, 2) diagnoses, 3) treatment plan development and implementation and 4) individual, family and group therapy.