“We are stronger together than we are alone.”
- Walter Peyton
BHAT is…
ADVOCACY
EDUCATION
RESEARCH
NETWORKING
PROVIDER PEER SUPPORT
Quality
BHAT is dedicated to ensuring that all Texans have access to the highest quality mental health services.
Quality and comprehensive evidence-based practices will lead to more meaningful outcomes for individuals so they can live healthy and productive lives in their community.
Choice
BHAT is dedicated to increasing consumer choice for mental health services in Texas.
State law acknowledges the private sector and requires managed care entities to develop networks of public and private mental health providers. We are committed to working with policymakers and stakeholders to grow the private sector to ensure Texans have a choice in providers when seeking mental health services.
Access
BHAT is dedicated to ensuring that all Texans have access to professional mental health services.
The Texas Legislature has continued to invest in mental health services and supports across the spectrum over the past several legislative sessions. BHAT continues to encourage the Legislature to invest in mental and behavioral health; remove barriers to care; and identify best practices and evidence based solutions and programs to incorporate into service delivery models. Texans’ inability to have access to care and other treatments results in over-utilization of emergency rooms; mismanagement of medications; and the over-representation of individuals with mental illness in the criminal justice system.
Another issue that needs important attention in the state is the uninsured. The pandemic has resulted in the highest uninsured rates in history due to the economic shutdown and the loss of millions of jobs in America. Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the U.S. as of May 2020, according to the report issued by Families USA. This is a time when Texans need access to health care the most, and BHAT supports Texas moving towards expanding Medicaid services to the uninsured.
About BHAT
Behavioral Health Advocates of Texas (BHAT) is a coalition of private mental health providers and other interested organizations dedicated to promoting sound behavioral health policies in Texas –with a specific focus on addressing the concerns of private providers.
BHAT is dedicated to improving the Texas mental health system by:
Defining the behavioral health issues in Texas and providing a collective voice and message on the mental health issues-of-the-day by communicating a set of core messages consistently and effectively to target audiences, including legislators, community leaders, mental health related organizations, and the media when necessary.
Ensuring the coalition has a seat at the table on any issue that may affect Texas’ mental health system by establishing strategic local and statewide alliances with mental health advocates, and strong relationships with elected officials and other relevant stakeholders.
Developing effective relationships and processes to identify or anticipate other critical issues and develop mechanisms that enable the coalition to respond quickly and efficiently.
Ensuring broadened access for patients who need care the most by providing opportunities to have true choice in their provider.
Mentoring incoming providers into the mental and behavioral health industry especially within the niche of targeted case management and mental health rehabilitation services by providing insight into becoming a Medicaid provider; by sharing what to expect from the managed care enrollment and credentialing process; by comparing “notes” with each other to help a BHAT member solve issues with managed care organizations such as claims and billing; and by supporting each other to maximize the success of our members and all mental and behavioral health providers.
Our Vision
for the Future
“Advocate for expanded exceptional and cost-effective services AND to empower private providers to deliver quality services”
BHAT is a robust trade association that supports its members through Advocacy, Education & Research, Networking and Technical Support, so that they can focus on providing quality, timely services and meeting the needs of the persons they serve.
Here is a look at taking BHAT to the next level which is built on FOUR CORE PRINCIPLES:
Advocacy
Value
Trust
Competition
Membership Spotlight
Deblin Health Concepts
Represented by Debra Jackson
Chief Program Officer
Graduate degree MSW from University of Houston, 1984. Undergraduate, BSW from Texas Women’s University, 1982. Recognition as Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) since 1988. Experience in hospital administration (inpatient and outpatient), direct clinical treatment of adults, adolescents, and children in private practice; Quality Assurance Monitoring; Utilization Review; Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1988; Psychiatric Consultation for Psychiatric Hospitals; management operations; skilled nursing facilities; and other business/industry related companies.
Southwest Key Programs
Veronica Delgado-Savage, LCSW
Vice President of Youth Justice Services
Veronica joined Southwest Key Programs in 1996 and has served as a Clinician, Program Director, Quality Assurance Manager and Director of Community Affairs. Currently, in her role as Vice President of Youth and Family Services, she oversees all Southwest Key’s community-based alternatives to detention and incarceration programs for youth. She has two decades of experience working with youth and families, starting her career as a Child Protective Services worker. Veronica received her B.A. in Psychology and Master of Science in Social Work with a specialty in Direct Practice from the University of Texas. She maintains her certification as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Southwest Key Programs
Sandra M. Baez-Curcio, Ph.D. LPC-S LCDC
Regional Executive Director of Behavioral Health Services
Dr. Sandra Baez-Curcio holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in Texas. She joined Southwest Key Programs on April 2021 and currently overseeing Together Forward (Medicaid) Program as the Regional Executive Director of Behavioral Health Services (REDBHS).
In her early career years, she supervised interns and worked as a Professor Assistant at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. Dr. Baez-Curcio has extensive experience as a Director of Clinical and Outpatient Services at key public and private behavioral health entities in Central Texas such as Laurel Ridge Treatment Center, The Center for Health Care Services and Georgetown Behavioral Health Institute. She also has vast knowledge in the substance abuse field and as a strong advocate of the harm reduction modality served as a Director of Clinical of Services of four Opioid Therapy Programs.
Adding to her resume, Dr. Baez-Curcio has led efforts like preparation for accreditation from the Joint Commission, Utilization Reviews to prepare for audit from TMHP/Medicaid and/or Managed Care Organizations (MCO) and ongoing Quality Assurance reviews.
Admore Behavioral Therapy
Abigail Wynne
Chief Executive Officer
Abigail is the CEO of Admore behavioral Therapy. Wynne has been in the healthcare space since 2003, owning and operating several health care businesses over the years. During this time, Abigail consulted and helped setting up startups. She studied Computer Sciences/ Electronics Engineering, then later nursing. Abigail is a mother of 2 sons and in her free time, she enjoys traveling, sewing, jogging, and cooking.
Crystal Counseling
Represented by
Dawn Chiasson, Director of Case Management and
Larry Mack, Chief Executive Officer
Meet Your Team
Eric Wright
Eric has over 25 years leadership experience both inside Texas state government and in representing some of the countries’ largest corporations and associations.
He has a unique and unmatched record of public service. Working with members and staff of the executive and legislative branches, Wright has helped craft meaningful solutions to complex and politically sensitive issues.
Courtney Williamson
After 15 years serving the great state of Texas, Courtney Williamson has joined Eric Wright & Associates and has served in the capacity as Legislative Director for four years.
Courtney is charged with working closely with the Texas Legislature, state leadership, and agencies on policy initiatives and legislative interests for a variety of clients.
For more information about becoming a BHAT Member, contact us today!
Courtney Williamson, Executive Director
Direct: 512-775-9854
bhadvocatesoftexas@gmail.com