Strategies to address needs of people with co-occurring IDD and mental health disorders have been a longstanding priority for Texas Council.

The prevalence of co-occurring mental health conditions in individuals with IDD is approximately 40%, with persistent mental health conditions around 30%.

Over the course of several legislative sessions, Texas Council has supported the appropriation of funding for, as well as development and implementation of, the following initiatives:

  • Outpatient Biopsychosocial Approach for IDD Services (OBI) Pilot
  • Crisis services
  • Transition support teams
  • Criminal justice interface
Outpatient Biopsychosocial Approach for IDD Services (OBI) Pilot

The Outpatient Biopsychosocial Interventions (OBI) Program was established to increase access to outpatient mental health services and supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). OBI provides specialized outpatient mental health services for children and adults with IDD and co-occurring mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or behavioral support needs.

OBI sites utilize a biopsychosocial approach that integrates medical, psychological, and social supports to improve overall wellness and increase access to coordinated care. Services include:

  • Collaborative care case management;
  • Biopsychosocial assessments and recovery planning;
  • Skills training for individuals and support systems; and
  • Education and training opportunities for community partners.

The program initially launched as a pilot with five Local IDD Authorities. Through funding provided by the 89th Texas Legislature, the program expanded in FY26 to include eight additional sites, significantly increasing statewide access to specialized IDD mental health services. Each OBI site receives approximately $300,000 annually to support program operations.

Local IDD Authorities Providing OBI Services

  • Bluebonnet Trails Community Services
  • Central Counties Services
  • Denton County MHMR Center
  • Emergence Health Network
  • Integral Care
  • Lakes Regional Community Center
  • MHMR of Tarrant County
  • Nueces Center for Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities
  • PermiaCare
  • Spindletop Center
  • Texana Center
  • Texas Panhandle Centers
  • The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD

Please see the HHSC OBI flyer for additional program details, service area information, and contact information for participating sites.

Crisis Services

Local IDD Authorities provide crisis services to individuals with IDD and their families. Specifically, crisis intervention services and crisis respite services are available to individuals and families who are experiencing a crisis or at risk of crisis. These services are available for individuals with high medical, mental health, or behavioral needs and seek to reduce hospitalization, incarceration, and other forms of institutionalization.

Transition Support Teams (TST)

The State of Texas contracts with eight Local IDD Authorities to establish Transition Support Teams (TST) that provide medical, behavioral, and psychiatric support for Local IDD Authorities and community IDD waiver providers within each designated service area. Each TST provides educational activities, technical assistance, and case review for individuals with IDD who at risk of being admitted into an institution, and those who have transitioned to the community from an institutional setting.

Criminal Justice Interface

If individuals with IDD interact with law enforcement officers, it is imperative to quickly identify individuals with IDD and divert them from – or transition them out of – jails. Local IDD Authorities receive daily jail reports regarding individuals who are detained and may have received or are currently receiving services from the local authority. Additionally, ongoing initiatives are focused on training jail staff about individuals with IDD, improving jail intake processes to more accurately gauge if a person may have an IDD, and developing best practices when an individual with IDD is detained.