TITLE: Relating to the establishment of a kinship caregiver navigator program by the Health and Human Services Commission.

SUMMARY: Relating to the establishment of a kinship caregiver navigator program by the Health and Human Services Commission.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the establishment of a kinship caregiver navigator program by the Health and Human Services Commission. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 531.0881 to read as follows: Sec. 531.0881. KINSHIP CAREGIVER NAVIGATOR PROGRAM. (a) The executive commissioner, using existing resources, shall establish a statewide kinship caregiver navigator program that facilitates access to information and referrals to services for relative and kinship caregivers of children. (b) The kinship caregiver navigator program established under this section must include an information and referral network. The information and referral network shall incorporate all health and human services agencies and divisions within the commission that provide services to children, including: (1) the Department of Family and Protective Services; (2) the Department of State Health Services; and (3) any division of the commission that oversees: (A) social services; (B) community-based services; or (C) access and eligibility for Medicaid or the child health plan program and the services provided through those programs. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.