LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH AND DISABILITY AUTHORITY REBRAND HEADLINES BOLD INITIATIVES

WACO, TX – New name, with the same promise of accessible, caring, and responsive behavioral health and disability and rehabilitative support services, takes a bold new step with an even bolder rebrand: Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network.

The new name follows 53-years of operating as the Heart of Texas Region MHMR Center (HOTRMHMR). It will now be the "Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network, formerly known as HOTRMHMR." The name was chosen after several months of input from staff and stakeholders across the region of Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, and McLennan counties. The Network is working with an advertising firm to finalize a logo in the future.

The new name also follows several cutting-edge developments over the last 24 months—most notably earning Texas Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) status in February 2021 and initiating the design and fundraising for a new crisis facility in south Waco. The new Crisis Hub construction project is estimated to be a 9.7-million-dollar project, with groundbreaking slated for February 2022. Conceptualized by the Behavioral Health Leadership Team, the new facility will better centralize the Network's long-term and short-term crisis services.

Along with these new advances, the Network was also recently reorganized by Executive Director Daniel Thompson to be more streamlined and efficient as the agency moves forwards as a new CCBHC provider. Notable changes include: 

• Ryan Adams has been appointed Deputy Executive Director. Mr. Adams will oversee the Network's business office and lead the CCHBC & Medical Services Division.
• Ralph Whaite has been appointed Deputy Director for Regulatory & Support Services. Mr. Whaite will oversee the Network's regulatory-related functions, including the Human Resources Department, Risk Management, Quality Management, Clients Rights, IT, and Internal Trainings programs.
• Helen Jasso has been named the Executive Office Manager. In this role, Ms. Jasso assists with scheduling and coordinating appointments and meetings, ensuring bylaws and policies are up to date, maintaining agency-wide files, resources, reports, and the appointment of Board Members.  
• Carey Amthor has been selected as Director for the newly created Disability and Rehabilitative Division, which encompasses Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), and the outreach-based Crisis Counseling Program (CCP). 
• Vince Erickson has been selected as the Director of the Community and Governmental Relations Division. This division's programs and services include the Public Information Office, Endowments and Grants, Volunteer Services and Internships, and special projects.  

The rebrand and staff adjustments take effect immediately so that the Network can effectively and efficiently deliver accessible, caring, and responsive support services to the people of our region of Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, and McLennan counties.

CONTACT:

Vince Erickson, Director of Public Information and

#TexansRecoveringTogether CCP

Vince.Erickson@hotrmhmr.org

Cell: (254) 265-2030

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