By TJJD Communications —
TJJD Deputy Executive Director Dr. Evan Norton was elected to Co-Chair the State Behavioral Health Coordinating Council (SBHCC) alongside Dr. Courtney Harvey, the Mental Health Statewide Coordinator and Associate Commissioner of Texas’ Health and Human Services Commission. Additionally, Matthew Smith, TJJD’s Statewide Youth Services Continuum Director, was nominated to join the council to lead the Children’s Behavioral Health Subcommittee.
The SBHCC was established to ensure a strategic statewide approach to behavioral health services to coordinate behavioral health services across state agencies. The SBHCC is comprised of representatives of state agencies or institutions of higher education that receive state general revenue for behavioral health services.
Core duties of the SBHCC include:
- Developing and monitoring the implementation of a five-year statewide behavioral health strategic plan.
- Developing annual coordinated statewide behavioral health expenditure proposals.
- Annually publishing an updated inventory of behavioral health programs and services that are funded by the state.
Dr. Norton commented on his election to Co-Chair of SBHCC. “I am thrilled to continue working with key partners in the mission to serve Texans. Dr. Harvey and all the various agency representatives on this body are incredible partners and having the opportunity to step into this leadership role with SBHCC is an honor and a responsibility I do not take lightly.”
Dr. Courtney Harvey said “I am excited to serve alongside Dr. Evan Norton to work towards providing Texans with greater access to timely, quality, and effective behavioral health services. The Texas Juvenile Justice Department has been and continues to be a vital and enthusiastic partner in this work, and I am grateful to have Dr. Norton serve in this capacity.”
“I am honored to join SBHCC alongside champions and leaders in behavioral health in Texas like Dr. Harvey and Dr. Norton,” said Smith. “I’m looking forward to learning from the expertise and experience of the other council members and contributing to a more coordinated and effective behavioral health system for youth and families across systems.”
More information about the SBHCC can be found by visiting their website: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/about/advisory-committees/statewide-behavioral-health-coordinating-council.