Texas Building Bridges Initiative
Building Bridges is a national initiative that promotes best practices and cutting-edge policies to create strong partnerships between residential treatment centers (RTCs), families, and youth and community stakeholders to ensure comprehensive mental health services and supports are available to improve the lives of young people and their families. BBI best practices for RTCs include elimination of level systems, reduction of restraint and seclusion, increased family involvement, and community collaboration.
The Texas Building Bridges Initiative (TxBBI) is a partnership of the Texas System of Care (led by the Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health at the University of Texas at Austin) and the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).
Texas BBI activities began in June 2016 with a kick-off conference featuring a full-day overview of BBI by Beth Caldwell, BBI National Director. On the second day of the conference, three RTCs selected through an application process participated in a strategic planning session to develop their BBI priorities, goals, and action steps.
In autumn 2016, the Texas System of Care team proceeded with technical assistance for BBI implementation, and incorporated the expertise of several representatives from licensing, contracts, and residential placement at DFPS, as well the proficiency of several individuals from the national BBI.
In the winter of 2017, additional RTCs joined Texas BBI and interest grew to align both the DFPS and HHSC RTC contracts with BBI best practices. Meanwhile, BBI implementation continued at the selected RTCs.
Krause Children's Center in Katy, TX, was one of the originally selected RTCs who enthusiastically and thoughtfully embraced the BBI model. Krause continues a remarkable transformation of their program and have already experienced a number of successful outcomes:
•75 percent reduction in overall restraints.
•The Intensive Psychiatric Transition Program (IPTP) was completely restraint-free in August 2017.
•Youth participate in the interviewing and selection of new staff members.
•Family involvement has increased and Krause is pursuing the hiring of a Family Partner to support families who have a child in treatment.
The Texas BBI state team leads Texas RTCs’transformation to the BBI model, empowering providers to deliver the best possible care and services to all children, youth, and families.