My involvement with NARMH began in August, 2002 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I had just learned that the President’s New Freedom Mental Health Commission would include rural issues as one of 16 priority issues and I was in Santa Fe to announce this news to NARMH and to visit with members and learn more about the organization. As Chair of the Commission Rural Subcommittee, I was eager to make contact with NARMH and its leadership and include the expertise and wisdom that lies within NARMH in the work of the Commission. I was very gratified by the openness and willingness by NARMH members to join the process and advise the writing of the rural issues for the subcommittee of the Commission.

I have traveled extensively throughout the United States regarding the rural issues and goals of the President’s New Freedom Commission. I have attended the NARMH national conferences since 2002 and been on several programs. After the New Freedom Commission Report was released in 2003, I have joined other NARMH leaders in pushing for a SAMHSA designated rural desk and the development of a National Plan for Rural Mental Health (Behavioral Health). Both of these recommendations are currently being addressed at the Federal level.

NIMH has continued to be supportive of research and initiatives in the area of e-mental health . Again, many of NARMH’s leaders have been my colleagues in encouraging the NIMH sponsored meetings and building an even stronger relationship with NIMH and rural mental health needs.

Since January of this year (2006), I have been serving on the NARMH Board as an appointed member filling an unexpired term. I would like to continue serving as a member of the NARMH Board and would encourage the policies regarding research, workforce training, a national rural mental health plan, high quality national meetings and building a larger and broader network of individuals and allies for rural issues.

I have been a member of a rural regional community mental health and mental retardation board of trustees for nearly 30 years. I am appointed by my home county. I currently serve as vice-chair of that board but have also served the Texas Council of MHMR Centers in executive committee capacities, including 2 years as chair. I represented Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas on the National Council Community Behavioral Health, Inc. for nearly 7 years and served in several executive committee positions including First Vice Chair. My decades of service to the mental health field, public and higher education, and community economic development have afforded me opportunities to work with many rural communities. I currently serve as a co-chair of the Texas Strategic Health Partnership MHSA Workgroup and as a consultant to The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and the Texas Health Institute.

I feel that both my Texas responsibilities in the development of community collaboratives as a focus of the Texas Transformation Grant and opportunities to interact with national mental health leadership can enhance the audience for the critical issues identified by NARMH members and leaders.