Local Provider & Network Development Process

What is LPND?

The Center is required by law to develop a contract procurement plan that assembles a network of service providers in which the Center can only serve in certain limited circumstances. This applies only to mental health services that are funded by the State. Our plan, known as Local Planning and Network Development, must reflect the stakeholder identified local needs, priorities, and maximize consumer choice and access to qualified service providers.

The goal of this process is for Center to incorporate strategies to ensure continuous consumer access to services while increasingly expanding the network of providers as we maintain a steadily decreasing share of local services. The desired outcome is for consumers to have a choice from among multiple service providers and for the Center to provide management and oversight of the provider network.

The extent to which this goal can be achieved and how quickly it can be reached will depend on the circumstances, needs, and preferences of the local communities served by the Center. The Center will gather and obtain input from its stakeholders regarding such things as:

• Service needs and priorities of children, adolescents, and adults;
• Crisis response system and services;
• Development of the external provider network; and
• Other significant issues and concerns.

Under the new rules and requirements, the Center can only be a provider of services if:

• There are no interested qualified providers
• There is only 1 other qualified provider
• The responding qualified providers do not propose to meet at least 100% of the DSHS contract target population or meet the same level of current access to services
• The Center must maintain some services to preserve critical infrastructure
• Existing agreements impose restrictions on the Center’s ability to contract a portion of services because there would be an unsustainable loss of revenue.

Our LPND Plan

DCMHMR 2022 LPND Plan
(Pending HHSC Approval)
Consolidated Local Service Plan