The Betty Hardwick Center is the Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority for Callahan, Jones, Shackelford, Stephens and Taylor Counties.

Our Mission: Improving the behavioral, intellectual, and developmental health of the people we serve

Our Vision: Full, safe, and healthy lives for our community

Betty Hardwick was an ardent supporter of the mental health community, and was instrumental in the development of the Betty Hardwick Center.  On September 13, 2000, hundreds of people, including family, friends, business associates, and MHMR consumers, gathered at the Center to honor the Center in Betty’s honor.  Though she passed away in June before the formal ceremony in September, Betty knew of the plans and was most honored and pleased by this ultimate expression of gratitude. The following is a history of the appointments, public service and honors of Mrs. Betty Hardwick.

Appointments

1982- 2000

Board of Trustees of the Abilene Regional Mental Health-Mental Retardation Center. At death was Chairperson and ex-officio member of all committees.  Was member of the Center’s Speaker’s Bureau.

1985-2000

Board of Directors of the Texas Council of Community MHMR Centers.  Past President, member of the executive committee, programs committee, legislative direction committee, public policy development committee, and Risk Management Fund.

1996-2000

Elected to the position of Community Director, Region VI of the National Community Mental Healthcare Board of Directors.

1987

She was the sole initiator of a project to improve the survey process of ICF-MR facilities in the State of Texas.  The project took on statewide initiative with many governing officials becoming involved.  The modified process had a permanent and positive effect on the way individuals with mental retardation are served in state and community facilities.

1988

She originated the VISION 2000 concept paper for the Texas Council and served as chairman for the VISION 2000 committee.  A value-based paper, VISION 2000 sets common values and goals for all community MHMR centers.  It is based on the belief that all people have value and the right to achieve their greatest potential; that community MHMR centers exist to provide the services that help individuals with mental disabilities enhance their opportunities for independence, dignity and responsibility.

1988

She Chaired the committee that formed the Texas council Risk Management Fund that is a self-insurance pool for community MHMR centers, making it available for insurance at the beginning of FY ’89.   In the first seven months of existence, 30 community MHMR centers participated and this resulted in $700,000 in savings from budgets.  Over the years Texas community MHMR centers have saved literally millions of dollars in operational expense, and these monies have been redirected to services for persons with mental disabilities.

1989-1990

As chairman of the Texas Council Board of Directors, she led the endeavor that resulted in the establishment of the Texas Council Bond Program, which enabled community MHMR centers to finance capital improvements.  The first annual bond package enabled centers to refinance existing mortgages, resulting in statewide savings of &800,000 previously paid in interest.  To date more than $100 million in bonds have been issued.

1988-1990

She conceived and led the effort to develop a statewide retirement program for the employees of Texas community MHMR centers.  Previously, no retirement programs existed; making MHMR centers a less desirable place to work as compared to other mental health agencies with retirement plans.

1991

Then Governor Ann Richards appointed Mrs. Hardwick to a 6-year term on the Texas Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments for the state of Texas.  Later, she served on the executive committee and chaired the legislative directions committee.

1995-1997

She served on a committee of the Texas Council Managed Care Readiness to help community MHMR centers prepare themselves for managed care.

1996-1998

She was elected to serve as Region VI member of the Board of Directors of the National Community Mental Healthcare Council.

1997-1998

She worked with state legislators to have important Bills enacted that limit the liability of and protect community MHMR centers from anti-trust suits.  She helped get a Bill passed that allowed the formation of a Health Maintenance Organization through which MHMR centers are able to accept at-risk capitated contracts.  She helped secure the $1.5 million needed to finance the new company.

1998-2000

She served on the Joint Contract Committee of the Texas Department of MHMR and the Texas Council of Community MHMR Centers to improve the contracting process.

Honors/Recognitions

1974- Named to Outstanding Young Women in America.
1989- Winner of the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service.
1992- Winner of the Frank M. Adams Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service to Texas Community MHMR Centers.
1994- Winner of the Mary E. Butt Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service as a Member of a Board of Trustees in the Texas MHMR System.
1995- Recognized by the Texas Council of Community MHMR Centers for her leadership in establishing the Texas Council Risk Management Fund.
1999-  Honored with resolutions passed by both the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives recognizing her many years of distinguished and committed service to the Texas Mental Health community.

Visits with our clinicians are scheduled after an applicant’s needs are assessed and the person is found to be eligible for services and in need of treatment.

The cost of medications is included in the assessment of a person’s ability to pay. Medications are provided at no cost if the assessment indicates that the person has no ability to pay.

Intellectual and developmental disabilities occur before age 18 with an IQ of 70 or below. Mental illness can occur at any time and may be attributed to a chemical, biological, or environmental change in the person.

Contact us for an assessment to see if you meet our priority population as defined by the Health and Human Services Commission. Priority population is diagnosis of bipolar disorder, major depression and schizophrenia.

Call us for a 15- to 20-minute phone screening to see what services are available for you.

If you are concerned that your child may have a developmental delay or disability, call ECI to make a referral: 325-627-0908. Next, an ECI professional will provide an evaluation to determine if your child is eligible and will discuss with you the need for services.

Betty Hardwick Center is an independent local unit of government – not a state, federal, or county agency.  We are one of 39 community mental health and intellectual and developmental disability centers in Texas.

Fees for all programs are assessed based on our funding sources and your ability to pay.