On Friday, Sept. 18, HHSC presented a status update on the reorganization of the Health and Human Services System to the State Medicaid Managed Care Advisory Committee. The HHS Transformation is the result of Sunset legislation approved during the 84th legislative session.

Major Transition Plan Milestones highlighted in the presentation include:

  • 09/01/2015 – Functional analysis of all organizational areas begins
  • 09/14/2015 – Outline for transition plan completed
  • 10/01/2015 – Functional analysis of all organizational areas complete
  • 10/01/2015 – Plan for stakeholder input drafted
  • 10/01/2015 – Legislative Oversight Committee appointed
  • 11/01/2015 – Cross-functional workgroups appointed to draft reorganization plan and map functions to new “to be” structure
  • 01/15/2016 – Initial stakeholder input on transition plan completed
  • 02/01/2016 – Plan to Legislative Oversight Committee
  • 03/01/2016 – Legislative Oversight Committee review complete
  • 04/01/2016 – Reorganization plan and mapping of functions for all Phase I transitions complete
  • 04/01/2016 – Phase I transitions begin*
  • 08/01/2016 – Reorganization plan and mapping of functions for all Phase II transitions complete
  • 09/01/2016 – Phase I transitions complete
  • 09/01/2016 – Phase II transitions begin*
  • 01/01/2017 – Transition of NorthSTAR behavioral health programs to two new entities in the Dallas area
  • 09/01/2017 – Phase II transitions complete

*Phase I Reorganization Activities

  • 09/01/2015 – “Tier II” regulatory functions from DSHS to TCEQ
  • 09/01/2015 – Eight DSHS regulatory programs deregulated
  • 09/01/2015 – Women’s Health Program from DSHS to HHSC
  • By 10/01/2015 – Transformation, Policy & Performance division created at HHSC
  • By 11/01/2015 – Advisory committees evaluated and restructured
  • By 12/01/2015 – Four regulatory programs from DSHS to the Texas Medical Board
  • By 07/01/2016 – Restructured Women’s Health Program operational at HHSC
  • By 09/01/2016 – Prevention/Early Intervention programs from HHSC & DSHS to DFPS
  • On 09/01/2016 – Vocational rehabilitation programs at DARS to Texas Workforce Commission
  • By 09/01/2016 – Client services programs from DADS, DARS & DSHS to HHSC
  • By 09/01/2016 – Certain administrative support services consolidated

*Phase II Reorganization Activities

  • By 09/01/2016 – New HHS System executive council created
  • By 09/01/2017 – State Hospital operations from DSHS and State Supported Living Center operations from DADS to HHSC
  • By 09/01/2017 – Regulatory programs from DSHS, DADS & DFPS to HHSC
  • No later than 09/01/2017 – Seven regulatory programs from DSHS to TDLR
  • By 09/01/2017 – Administrative support services consolidation completed
  • By 09/01/2018 – Report on future recommendations for DSHS and DFPS continuation submitted to the Legislature
  • No later than 09/01/2019 – Six regulatory programs from DSHS to TDLR  

Activities In Process or Complete

  • 08/03/2015 – Restructured Transition Planning Steering Committee established with representation from all HHS agencies and divisions
  • 08/10/2015 – Cross-agency transition steering committee established to guide the program transfers from DARS to TWC
  • 08/14/2015 – Definitions of client services, regulatory functions, public health functions, functions related to state-operated facilities, and prevention and early intervention services drafted
  • 09/01/2015 – Transformation oversight office operational at HHSC
  • 09/01/2015 – “Tier II” regulatory functions transfer from DSHS to TCEQ as required by HB 942
  • 09/01/2015 – MOU signed outlining responsibilities/dates for transfer of four regulatory programs from DSHS to TMB
  • By 09/11/2015 – Plan developed to transition leased office/building space from HHSC to TWC related to DARS program transfers
  • By 10/01/2015 – Functional analysis of all HHS operational areas completed
  • By 10/01/2015 – Cross-functional transition coordination teams appointed to plan and oversee transition of functions from the “as is” to the “to be” structure
  • By 10/01/2015 – Plan to transition data and information technology systems to support the DARS to TWC program transfer developed
  • By 10/16/2015 – Proposed “to be” organizational charts for HHSC, DSHS and DFPS drafted
  • By 11/01/2015 – Publication of new advisory committee structure in the Texas Register
  • By 12/01/2015 – Contract executed for transition planning and implementation assistance

Advisory Committee Changes

Major provisions of HHS Sunset Related Bills:

  • Reorganizes the HHS System, consolidating client services, regulatory functions, and facility operations at HHSC
  • Focuses DSHS on public health functions and DFPS on protective services functions
  • Creates a Transition Legislative Oversight Committee to provide guidance to the Executive Commissioner on the HHS system reorganization
  • Requires the Executive Commissioner to develop and implement a transition plan and to assess the continuing need for DFPS and DSHS as standalone agencies
  • Creates a new HHS Executive Council and advisory committee structure to receive public input and advise the Executive Commissioner on agency operations