Annual
Report
Proudly Serving Central Texans for over 25 Years
20
21
2022
23
Welcome!
Dear Friends,
It is with hope that we look past the trials of COVID-19 and celebrate extraordinary accomplishments battling the lingering effects of the pandemic on the wellbeing of our communities. While the pandemic drove some of these accomplishments, other successes came from a bold and relentless desire by this Team to overcome its burdens on body, mind and spirit.
Through it all, we remained focused on maintaining our high standards, respect for one another, and the pursuit of excellence. Across our system of care, we witnessed the tenacity of our staff stepping up to find new ways to serve those who needed us most. We were encouraged and strengthened by new and expanding partnerships pursuing innovation and reaching new heights. And, as ever, we were humbled by the resiliency and determination of the children, adults and families we are privileged to serve.
Celebrating our twenty-fifth year in service to Central Texans, we are optimistic about the future. We share this impact report giving you a glimpse into the many reasons for our optimism.
May you be inspired,
Andrea Richardson, Chief Executive Officer
Our Mission:
Continuously shaping and investing in a system of care valued by our communities, designed to improve the health and independence of the persons we serve.
Supporting our vision for__________and___________lives, Bluebonnet Trails Community Services Board and Staff assure access to a comprehensive array of services strengthening individuals and families throughout a lifetime.
During fiscal year 2022 (September 1, 2021 - August 31, 2022), the Center operated twenty-six office, residential setting, transitional home and program sites located in Bastrop, Burnet, Cedar Park, Elgin, Georgetown, Giddings, Gonzales, La Grange, Liberty Hill, Lockhart, Luling, Marble Falls, Round Rock, Seguin and Taylor.
healthy
fulfilled
2022
Fiscal Year
601
Employees
182
Independent Contractors
Counties Served with
Early Childhood Intervention Services
6
8
Counties Served with
Mental Health & IDD Services
10
Counties Served with
Autism Services
30
Counties Served with
OSAR Services
38,751
Central Texans
Served
26
Center-Operated
Office & Program Sites
21
Independent School District Locations
18
Substance Use Outpatient Locations
12
Integrated Health Care Locations
4
24/7 Crisis Facilities
Age
Gender
Race
Location of Service
2%
Justice Settings
2%
Crisis/
Healthcare Facilities
3%
29%
Schools
BTCS Clinics
64%
Homes/
Community
La Grange
Rural Health Clinic
During 2022, the Center applied for certification as a federal Rural Health Clinic In La Grange.
The highly successful certification review resulted in our ability to increase access to primary care in an underserved community and opened a reimbursement stream sustaining primary care operations through the Center.
Since 2008, BTCS has partnered to increase access to integrated healthcare in our communities. Working alongside Community Health Centers of South Central Texas as well as the Texas A&M School of Nursing, we provide primary care at 12 BTCS locations.
1,421
Individuals Served at:
- Bastrop
- Bastrop ISD
- Elgin ISD
- Gonzales
- Lockhart
- Seguin
515
Individuals Served at:
- Cedar Park
- Georgetown
- Giddings
- Jarrell ISD
- La Grange
- Taylor
Fiscal Year
2022 Successes
SEPTEMBER 2021
- BTCS expanded its Outpatient Behavioral Health Services for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (OBI) Program to 8 counties.
- The Texas Department of Transportation awarded BTCS a grant extension and $130,000 to support transportation in 7 rural counties.
- The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) selected BTCS for a $5,000,000 two-year Community Mental Health Center Grant Award.
- In partnership with Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office, BTCS funds 2 mental health deputies and a supervisor, supporting a force of 5.
OCTOBER 2021
- BTCS is awarded a grant extension for the Children's Autism Program through fiscal year 2023.
- Demolition began at the BTCS Round Rock facility for a 16-bed Youth Therapeutic Respite Program, generously funded by Williamson County.
- BTCS partnered with Caldwell County to conduct a Sequential Intercept Model Mapping exercise with the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute.
November 2021
- Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization awarded BTCS with a $295,000 Enhanced Mobility Grant supporting transportation in Williamson County.
- BTCS and Williamson County launched a 911 Mental Health Dispatch Project on November 15th.
- BTCS received funding to expand crisis services for persons living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
- BTCS received notice of a Federal Communications Commission grant award in the amount of $724,411 supporting telehealth technology.
December 2021
- BTCS hosted its first ever Job Fair in Round Rock on December 11th in an effort to rapidly expand crisis programming.
- BTCS Mobile Crisis Outreach Team expanded to serve all Independent School Districts in Williamson County.
- BTCS received substance use treatment licensure at community sites including Jarrell ISD, Georgetown ISD, Lockhart Probation Department and Seguin ISD.
- Partnering with Texas A&M School of Nursing, BTCS received its first 4 nursing students through federal HRSA grant award.
January 2022
- BTCS and Williamson County hosted an Open House for the Diversion Center on January 6th.
- ECI partnered with local NICUs offering expedited admissions for babies in need of feeding and swallowing therapies within 14 days of NICU discharge.
- Humana recognized BTCS with a $25,000 grant award for crisis intervention specialist services for persons with IDD.
- HHSC recognized BTCS with a $22,000 award to support persons with IDD at risk of institutional placement.
- BTCS made 4,099 training, educational, and counseling contacts and reached over 283,000 people through the Texans Recovering Together COVID-19 Crisis Counseling Program which came to an end on January 30.
FEBruary 2022
- BTCS and Jarrell ISD hosted a Grand Opening event on February 2nd for the Family Health Clinic at Jarrell ISD.
- BTCS partnered with Dell Medical School to provide access to a child psychiatrist serving youths and families.
- BTCS was awarded grants through the Judicial Commission on Mental Health purchasing telehealth equipment supporting Fayette and Lee County Jails.
- BTCS staff demonstrated resilience during another February storm, continuing to provide services despite area closures.
MArch 2022
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) awarded BTCS with $546,684 in Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF) Pandemic Emergency Assistance Funds.
- BTCS partnered with Texas HHSC to conduct a Sequential Intercept Model Mapping exercise for Williamson County, introducing new crisis programs serving Central Texans.
- BTCS received a funding award to open a second State Hospital Step Down Program in Seguin.
April 2022
- The Diversion Center in Georgetown celebrated its Opening Day on April 14th, receiving adults experiencing crises in the community from local law enforcement.
- BTCS completed renovations at the Giddings' Integrated Health Clinic adding 3 primary care exam rooms, supporting the partnership between BTCS and Texas A&M School of Nursing.
- The BTCS Parents as Teachers Program hosted a parade in Bastrop promoting Child Abuse Prevention Month.
MAy 2022
- The 16-bed Youth Therapeutic Respite Program in Round Rock held its Open house on May 24th.
- ECI partnered with the Sustainable Food Center to provide free online cooking and nutrition classes for children and their families.
june 2022
- The Youth Therapeutic Respite Program in Round Rock celebrated its Grand Opening on June 1st.
- In support of Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Center, BTCS deployed a team of volunteers to Uvalde in response to the Robb Elementary School shooting, offering counseling in the community, emotional support to football and volleyball teams, and relief to our sister center staff who had been working around the clock.
july 2022
- HHSC contracted with BTCS, as the recipient of a competitive award, for a 10-bed Youth Therapeutic Respite Program in Seguin, opening in Summer/Fall 2023.
- BTCS partnered with Avail Solutions partnered to submit a winning application to Texas HHSC to become a 988 Backup Answering Center.
august 2022
- Samsung awarded BTCS with $250,000 to cover out-of-pocket expenses for underinsured and uninsured Taylor residents receiving BTCS services.
- BTCS underwent certification on behalf of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, successfully achieving Rural Health Clinic standards in La Grange.
- Texas HHSC funded BTCS to open a third State Hospital Step Down transitional home.
In the News
New Grants and Funding Awards
Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) Grant
The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) selected BTCS for a $5,000,000 two-year CMHC Grant supporting the following projects:
- 911 Mental Health Dispatch
- Diversion Center
- Adult Crisis Respite Units
- Crisis Hotline Call Follow-Up
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF):
Pandemic Emergency
Assistance Funds
BTCS used nearly $500,000 in TANF grant funds to help 174 eligible families with rental assistance and financial support as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The graph depicts how the funds were used.
Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program
$750,000
Guadalupe and Williamson Counties
The Department of Veterans Affairs awarded BTCS with a grant to conduct community outreach, training, screening, referral, peer support, case management, and equine-assisted therapy for Veterans and their family members with suicide risk factors.
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic – Improvement and Advancement Grant
This $4,000,000 four-year grant from SAMHSA funds:
- Specialized Jail Diversion Services for Persons with IDD
- Crisis Workers Co-Located with Cedar Park Police Department
- Care Coordination and Crisis Follow-Up Services
- Software Development
New Programs
See What's Coming up in Fiscal Year 2023!
School-Based Health Center (SBHC) Grant for Preventing Opioid Misuse among Youth
Bastrop, Burnet, Jarrell and Lockhart High Schools
In June 2022 BTCS applied for a $5,000 grant, provided through the play2PREVENT Lab at the Yale Center for Health & Learning Games. The goal of the two-year grant awarded to BTCS in September 2022 is to implement a new videogame intervention, PlaySMART, in schools. PlaySMART teaches youth strategies to prevent the initiation of opioid misuse and highlights how to find help for mental health challenges that can co-occur with substance misuse.
Multisystemic Therapy (MST) Program
Multisystemic Therapy offers hope to families by reducing criminal activity, substance use and antisocial behavior among youth through community-based, family-driven treatment.
The program will serve families in Caldwell, Gonzales and Guadalupe Counties.
BTCS will open a 2nd Youth Therapeutic Respite Program
in Seguin in
Summer/Fall 2023!
BTCS becomes a 988 Backup Answering Center
in Partnership with Texas HHSC & Avail Solutions
This expansion ensures
more 988 calls from Texans
are answered by a call
center based in Texas, with knowledge of community resources and how to access local supports
Vocational Apprenticeship Program
This new program in Guadalupe County will allow apprentices with intellectual, developmental and/or mental health challenges to earn a wage while completing one to two apprenticeships in real and practical work environments. Through classroom learning and work at a job site, apprentices will learn skills to help them gain and maintain competitive, integrated jobs.
Our Valued Board Members
Our dedicated Board of Trustees volunteers their time and talents in governing our system of care through challenging and difficult decisions as well as through celebrations of innovation and growth. Each member offers knowledge from the perspective of their home county along with a unique voice guiding the vision, mission, values and goals of the Center. Over half (54.5%) of members have lived experience as a person or family member with a mental health, intellectual or developmental diagnosis.
Roxanne Nelson
Burnet County, Board Chair
Tom Bonn
Caldwell County, Board Vice Chair
Barbara Bogart
Bastrop County, Board Secretary
Shirley Hester
Guadalupe County
John Raeke
Gonzales County
Michael York
Lee County
Shannon McBride
Fayette County
Frank Saenz
Williamson County
Ex-Officio Members
Sheriff Calvin Boyd
Burnet County Sheriff's Office
Since September 2019
Sheriff Arnold Zwicke
Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office
Since September 2019
Sheriff Mike Gleason
Williamson County Sheriff's Office
Since September 2022
Bluebonnet Trails Community Services
Honors our Board Members Retiring in Fiscal Year 2022
Robert Lee Willrich
On February 28, 2022, Bluebonnet Trails Community Services honored the retirement of Robert Lee Willrich from the Board of Trustees. As a founding Board Member, Willrich served as the Lee County trustee since 1997. Willrich helped pioneer mental health care access in his community, faithfully advocating for Lee County residents on matters related to behavioral, developmental, and medical care. He generously gave his time bringing to life Bluebonnet’s vision of healthy and fulfilled lives in Central Texas.
Robert L. Heinrich
On August 31, 2022, Bluebonnet Trails Community Services honored the retirement of Robert L. Heinrich from the Board of Trustees. As a founding Board Member of Bluebonnet Trails Community Services in 1997, Heinrich served as the Fayette County representative and Chair of the Bluebonnet Trails Community Services Board of Trustees through 2019, subsequently serving as the Board Vice Chair until 2021. Heinrich generously gave his time bringing to life Bluebonnet’s vision of healthy and fulfilled lives, faithfully advocating for Fayette County residents and Texans.
