Client’s Goal
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission needed consultation services to: 1) launch a new healthy relationship initiative throughout Texas, and 2) maximize federal dollars allocated to the state to support the initiative.

PSI’s Role
To provide consultation and hands-on support for the development of the statewide program.

PSI’s Tactics
The PSI project team worked with state officials and outside experts to identify existing strengths, trends and promising practices to support the Texas initiative. PSI then recommended strategies that were successful in other communities and met the goals set by state legislation.
Strategies included:

• Analyzing public policy goals and legislative intent for the funding source.
• Conducting a feasibility study.
• Accessing experts (researchers, practitioners and policymakers) to assess and design state-specific strategies and programs.
• Supporting the state agency to designate local partners to implement the program.
• Identifying opportunities for partnerships in order to maximize limited state funds.
• Building relationships with and providing technical assistance to local partners responsible for service delivery of the program.
• Implementing performance measurements and evaluation policies.
• Developing management plans to execute the program locally including a review process and a system to measure outcomes.
• Facilitating cross-agency working groups to design future program models that are competitive at the federal level while still meeting state goals.

Results
PSI developed five program models to meet the legislative and service delivery goals of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Monthly trainings and consultation were also provided to local service providers to improve oversight and productivity. Additionally, PSI helped the state establish a research advisory group and evaluation strategy.