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Hidalgo County approves economic development ‘health and wellness’ program to link mental health and workforce goals
Summary
The commissioners approved creating a Hidalgo County Economic Development Health and Wellness program under Texas Local Government Code §381.004(b)(1) to collaborate with the mental health coalition and prosperity task force on workforce-related mental-health initiatives.
The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court approved creation of a Hidalgo County Economic Development Health and Wellness program authorized under Texas Local Government Code §381.004(b)(1). County staff said the program will coordinate economic development, workforce development and mental-health stakeholders — including the county mental-health coalition and the regional prosperity task force — to strengthen human capital and support job creation.
Randy, who presented the item for the county’s economic development office, described mental health as a workforce and economic-development issue: staff said untreated mental-health conditions can reduce work productivity, increase absenteeism, limit labor-force participation and raise long-term healthcare costs. Commissioners discussed potential program benefits and said the county’s investment would be modest; one commissioner suggested the county consider increasing employee health incentives alongside the program. County staff said the proposed program will be established as a program/grant authority (a "program grama") under the referenced local government statute.
The court approved the item by motion and second and recorded the vote in favor. Staff recommended approval and committed to program development with partner organizations and to bring back implementation details, including any proposed funding amounts and measurable workforce outcomes.
