Our Mission: Working Together for Better Lives
Under the administration of President John F. Kennedy came the de-institutionalization process aimed at returning people from institutions to their communities and providing services to them in the least restrictive environment. In 1963-64, citizen planning groups were appointed to study Texas' mental health and mental retardation needs. The information compiled from their surveys greatly influenced the passage of the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Act (H.B. 3) in 1965.
The act created the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation and authorized the creation of local boards of trustees to organize and administer community MHMR centers such as Mental Health and Mental Retardation Community of Nueces County (MHMRNC). MHMRNC receives a major portion of its funding from the state's General Revenue; however, it is not a state agency not is it a county agency. MHMRNC is a unit of local government.
MHMRNC was authorized under the legal authority of Article 5547-203 of House Bill 3, enacted in 1965. The Corpus Christi City Council and Nueces County Commissioners' Court entered into a contract that established the Center in 1969. MHMRNC is designated by the State as the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Nueces County. The Nueces County Commissioner's Court appoints nine members to the Board of Trustees which govern the Center.
During the 1970's the mental health services and the counseling program were expanded to include drug abuse services in 1971 and the first group home for individuals with intellectual disabilities was opened in 1973. The Center continued its development into the 1980's with a focus on efficiency of operations, effectiveness of service, priority population and quality of care. The Early Childhood Intervention Program expanded and case management services began.
The Center's Foundation, a non-profit 501c3, was incorporated in 1991 with the purpose to assist and support the Center in raising funds to further its mission.
During the 1990's MHMRNC continued on the path of expansion and improvement of services. The implementation of Continuous Quality Improvement has reinforced the importance of collecting feedback from those we serve about our services. As a result, the Center began moving in the direction of community-based services such as the creation of the Training & Support Services Unit, the expansion of Child and Adolescent Youth Services, and the focus on Person-Centered Planning. The mid-1990's focused on individualized services and supports, including supported employment, and more "normalized" living environments such as the Home and Community-based Services. The Center achieved accreditation by The Joint Commission demonstrating commitment to providing services which meet national standards.
In June 2004 Diane Lowrance was hired as Executive Director. Under her guidance, the Center has secured grant programs, initiated stronger consumer focus and service, and increased cooperation and interaction with other community service organizations.
During the mental health crisis created by Hurricane Katrina, 6,284 persons were screened and assessed. Through a contract with the Texas Department of State Health Services, persons displaced from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were provided disaster support services and crisis counseling. In 2006 MHMRNC partnered with the City of Corpus Christi and Nueces County and was awarded a federal grant from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration to provide jail diversion services to persons with mental illness who interface with the criminal justice system. Over 124 law enforcement officers have received Crisis Intervention Team training through this initiative.
The 80th Texas Legislature appropriated new funds for Centers to enhance the services provided to people during psychiatric crises. The Crisis Hotline now meets national accreditation standards set by the American Association of Suicidology. A Mobile Crisis Outreach Team is available to assist law enforcement in responding to persons in crises with the goal of reducing emergency room visits and arrests.
Since 2007, MHMRNC has been selected as "Best of the Best" by the Caller Times Reader's Poll. In 2010, placed 3rd in the "Best Place to Work" event sponsored by the Corpus Christi Human Resources Management Association.
MHMR celebrated its 40th Anniversary on October 15, 2009. In honor of the first 40, three individuals were recognized for outstanding contributions in the Mental Health field. (Mary Holdsworth Butt-Pioneer Award, Brad Lomax-Spirit of Independence Award, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa-Leadership Award).