The Alliance for Adolescent Recovery and Treatment in Texas (AART-TX) is a collaborative initiative aimed at improving access to evidence-based assessment, treatment, and recovery supports for Texas youth between the ages of 12 and 18 who have been diagnosed with substance use disorders and/or co-occurring mental health disorders. This project is funded by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and led through a partnership between the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health (TIEMH).
AART-TX will ensure recommended changes to the adolescent treatment and recovery system can be implemented and sustained by aligning state-level policies and funding strategies. It will also expand the number of members of the behavioral health workforce who are qualified to provide evidence-based and best practice assessment, treatment, and recovery supports to adolescents in Texas.
The project will create efficient, coordinated local or regional systems of care that are driven by the needs of youth and families, enhance continuity of care among child-serving provider systems, and reduce disparities.
By building on existing infrastructure and involving youth, family, state agency and provider stakeholders, AART-TX aims to promote adolescent wellness and recovery, as well as greater collaboration between service providers and youth/families in treatment and recovery to promote a fully integrated system of care.