The federal government has approved $5 million in funding from its "Victims of Crimes Act" to help children and families affected by the shooting this spring in Uvalde, and the state is now looking at how to use the money. Doctors and medical professionals testified before the Texas House Appropriations Committee Tuesday.
"We come in and we help with strategic planning, helping community leaders think about the next phase, what they think they might need," says Texas Health and Human Services Commission Chairman Chance Freeman. "Uvalde, I would say, is fortunate. You've got 13 very strong providers who've been there up to 30 years and will be there from now on."
Freeman says the commission will work with Uvalde CISD and other local organizations to determine if any other mental health assistance should be moved into Uvalde.
"Where we're at right now is just pulling together that infrastructure to work together in a manner they haven't done so previously and making sure we're not duplicating that effort," he says.
Sonja Gaines, deputy executive commissioner for intellectual disability and behavioral health services at HHSC, says the organization is working with the Texas Education Agency and schools to prepare for a potential increase in the need for counseling when the fall semester starts or students struggle at the six month or one year anniversary of the shooting.
"It has been a collaboration," she says. "There are about a dozen different entities that are providing mental health. They are playing a very, very critical role."
The Uvalde CISD superintendent has said Robb Elementary would not reopen this fall. Instead, students will be moved to other campuses in the district.
Gaines says the need for mental health services will evolve over time. She also says mental health providers are trying to build more connections in Uvalde.
"They're going into unconventional places, places like the library or Wal-Mart," she says. "People don't expect to go there to get mental health treatment, but talk about not stigmatizing."
"I think the needs will continue to change over time based on how the community reacts and builds its own resiliency," Freeman told the committee, saying HHSC would continue working with Uvalde CISD and local mental health providers to adjust staffing.
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