West Texas Centers is a community center under the provisions of Chapter 534 of the Texas Health & Safety Code Ann., as amended, and serves as the designated local authority for mental health and intellectual and developmental disabilities for the established service area. The Center began operations on March 1, 1997 and continues to serve as the designated local authority for mental health and intellectual and developmental disabilities through a contractual relationship with the Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Department of Aging & Disability Services, and Texas Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services.
The Center provides a wide array of mental health and intellectual and developmental disabilities services in approximately 35 sites across the service area to over 2300 individuals through the dedication of approximately 330 staff. Although administrative offices are located at 319 Runnels, Big Spring, Howard County, Texas, local offices are established throughout most of the catchment area.
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Services Offered
Adult Mental Health Treatment is provided to help people recover from mental illness and enable them to continue in their jobs, be with their families and remain in the community. Services are provided to people who have serious mental illness and/or have difficulty with daily functioning due to mental illness. The following are examples of services provided: * 24 Hour Crisis Intervention * Case Management * Psychiatric Evaluation and Consultation * Hospital Screening * Medication Management * Psychiatric Rehabilitation * Assistance with Accessing Benefits
Little Lives Early Child Intervention (ECI) Little Lives is an affiliate of Texas Early Childhood Intervention and is operated by West Texas Centers. Children grow, learn and develop a lot during their first three years. Although each child is special and grows and learns at his or her own pace, some children need extra help. This extra help is called early childhood intervention. Services can include but are not limited to the following: * Early Identification, Screening and Assessment * Assistive Technology * Audiology * Family Counseling * Family Education * Occupational Therapy * Physical Therapy * Service Coordination * Social Work Services * Developmental Rehabilitation Services * Speech/Language Therapy
Children's Mental Health Our goal is to provide treatment that will bring stability to children, adolescents and their families experiencing difficulty due to a mental health disorder. Services provided include: * Psychiatric Evaluations and Screenings * Case Management * Medication Monitoring * Social Skills Training for Children and Adolescents * Parenting Skills Training * Family Counseling * Home and School Based Intervention * Assistance with Medicaid Applications
Fees and Payment
Services offered by West Texas Centers are funded by the State of Texas, local government and by consumers who have the ability to pay.
If it is difficult to pay all charges owed, the center may be able to arrange for you to temporarily pay a lesser amount each month. If you have private health insurance and financial hardship prevents you from paying your full co-insurance, co-pays, or deductible, we will make arrangements with you to pay no more than your maximum monthly fee (or $5.00 a month, if your maximum monthly fee is zero).
This is a non-profit agency.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare Medicaid
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A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.
