The bill, H.B. No. 1955, proposes the establishment of an Early Childhood Mental Health Home Visiting Grant Program under a new Subchapter G in Chapter 137 of the Human Resources Code. This program aims to provide grants for implementing, expanding, and maintaining early childhood mental health home visiting services, particularly for families with high needs, including those with a history of trauma. To qualify for a grant, applicants must demonstrate a commitment to a family-centered approach and have experience in providing mental health or prevention services to low-income, high-risk families. The bill emphasizes the importance of home-based services and mandates that grant contracts include provisions to ensure public benefit.

Additionally, the bill outlines standards and requirements for grant recipients, which will be established by the executive commissioner. These standards will consider evidence-based service delivery models and require adherence to a selected model that includes support from a licensed mental health professional and a care coordinator. The program will also allow the commission to solicit and manage funding from various sources to support its objectives. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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