Melissa J. Rider

This document outlines the strategic direction for the Safe Riders program, aiming to reduce motor vehicle crash injuries and fatalities among children in Texas. Key goals include educating families and distributing car seats to low-income families, ensuring sustainability and retention of child passenger safety technicians, and building capacity for child passenger safety resources. Future initiatives focus on expanding geographical mapping, implementing a national digital checklist for statewide data analysis, and incorporating hybrid training models to enhance workforce access and capacity.

The Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council (SBHCC) is updating the five-year statewide behavioral health strategic plan for fiscal years 2027-2031. This plan, the 3rd Edition, focuses on systemic issues such as infrastructure, policy, procedures, and access to care within the mental health and substance use disorder continuum. It will recognize special populations, cross-reference existing reports, and include state agency-implementable strategies, developed through comprehensive stakeholder engagement including surveys and policy roundtables.

The Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative (TPI) aims to provide cost-effective access to prescription drugs and other medical supplies for its beneficiaries by addressing rising drug costs and access challenges. The plan focuses on five key programs across three pillars: pharmacy benefit management and payment (including PBM best practices, service harmonization, and direct manufacturer contracts), manufacturing and advanced therapy access (through partnerships), and distribution (via improved shortage surveillance). Successful implementation is projected to reduce spending by $320-400 million annually while ensuring high-quality access for state employees, retirees, and federal government beneficiaries.

This SNAP Employment and Training State Plan for Federal Fiscal Year 2026, developed by Texas Health and Human Services, aims to promote long-term self-sufficiency and independence for SNAP recipients through work-related education and training activities. The plan prioritizes goals such as improving health outcomes, ensuring effective access to appropriate services, protecting vulnerable Texans, and enhancing efficiency and accountability. Key strategies include a 'work-first' service delivery model, providing skills enhancement and training in in-demand industries, expanding the Third-Party Partnership (TPP) initiative, and modifying governance and monitoring processes to achieve employment and self-sufficiency goals.

This document presents the 'Texas, Let's Talk - Safe Infant Sleep' program from the Texas Department of State Health Services. The program, developed between 2022 and 2026+, adopts a strategy that respects individual family needs, promotes an individualized approach, strengthens community support networks, and encourages shared decision-making with caregivers. It emphasizes integrating breastfeeding with safe sleep practices, normalizing newborn behaviors, and educating on AAP Safe Infant Sleep Best Practices. Key elements include the rollout of various training models, media promotion, and the use of data to mobilize action, aiming to reduce infant mortality by fostering consistent safe sleep messaging and practices across Texas communities.