FAQ

Gulf Bend Center is the Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority for Calhoun, DeWitt, Goliad, Jackson, Refugio, Lavaca and Victoria Counties.

Gulf Bend Center is a regional provider of integrated behavioral health & intellectual & developmental disability services. The Center continues to expand its programs and services in Victoria and surrounding counties and offers a wide array of treatment & support services including but not limited to: 

• Psychiatrist Services
• Professional Counseling Services
• Screening & Crisis Response
• Child, Adolescent & Adult Mental Health
• Intellectual Functioning and/or Developmental Disability Services (IDD)
• Veteran’s Services
• Substance Use Services
  If you or someone you know believes they need services or supports, please call 361.575.0611 or 800.421.8825 to schedule an appointment today.

Call us for a brief phone screening to see what services are available for you. We provide services under contracts with the Texas Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) to individuals with a mental illness and/or intellectual development disability identified as priority population. We also provide a variety of services to those with private insurance, no insurance, or self-pay if desired.

Visits with the doctor are scheduled after an applicant's needs are assessed and the person is found to be eligible for services and in need of treatment.

Upon application for services, a brief screening will be completed within 24-48 business hours. At this time, general services and additional treatment and resources will be discussed. If the individual desires to receive additional Gulf Bend services, these will be set up and arranged. It generally takes no more than a few weeks to access these additional services.

Intellectual disabilities (ID) are disorders that originate before 18 years of age. They are characterized by a limited mental capacity and difficulty with adaptive behaviors such as handling routines or social situations. An intellectual disability describes someone who has a below-average intelligence quotient (IQ) (69 or below). Limitations include the ability to perform everyday functioning activities life self-care, routines, hygiene, as well as adaptive behaviors such as communicating, speaking, walking, and socializing.

Developmental disabilities (DD) are those that appear before age 22 years of age. They are life-long disabilities that affect one or both physical and cognitive functioning. Some of these disabilities are physical, like blindness. Others are both physical and intellectual disabilities, such as Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, or other generic causes. Eligibility for long-term services and supports with a related condition must demonstrate an IQ of 75 or below.

Mental illness is attributed to a chemical, biological, or environmental change in a person that can occur at any time. Individuals with an IDD diagnosis may also have a concurrent experience with a mental health condition.

Developmental disabilities are not the same as learning disabilities. A diagnosis of developmental disability may be given if all three of the following criteria are met:

There is significantly sub-average intellectual functioning (an IQ of 70 or below). There are concurrent deficits or impairments in adaptive functioning. The conditions occur before age 18 years.

Yes, a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a qualifying diagnosis and considered a HHSC priority population. Individuals with ASD that also meet the qualifying criteria for IDD are eligible for all Medicaid waiver programs. However, eligibility for General Revenue services based on an individual having ASD, does not require the individual to have a particular IQ or adaptive behavior deficit.

Establishment of eligibility is required before a person may receive any service. Providing Gulf Bend Center with previously documented evidence of a qualifying diagnosis (i.e., intellectual disability, autism, PDD, related condition) will expedite service entry. Once this information is obtained, it generally takes no more than a few weeks to access services.

Intake and eligibility determination is required before a person may receive IDD services. Providing Gulf Bend Center with previously documented evidence (school or medical records) of a qualifying diagnosis will expedite enrollment. Once the person has been determined eligible for services and supports, some programs can be accessed within a couple of weeks. Texas Medicaid waiver programs; however, do have a lengthy waiting period. Getting on these wait lists early is very important.

You can call our Toll-Free Crisis Hotline 24 hours day, 365 days a year, 877-723-3422.

Call Gulf Bend Center’s Crisis Hotline 877-723-3422 to discuss your concern about your friend or family member. Take every comment about suicide seriously. Sometimes people state very directly that they are thinking about killing themselves and sometimes they drop hints that they are thinking about suicide. Ask the person directly if he or she is thinking about suicide. For more tips on talking with a person who is considering suicide, visit the American Association of Suicidology website.

There are fees associated with most services. Fees for all programs are assessed using a sliding scale and your ability to pay. The Center accepts Private Insurance, Private Pay, Medicaid & Medicare.

The Center operates under a standard business day (Monday–Friday from 8 am–5 pm). Some locations may have extended hours. The Crisis Hotline (877-723-3422) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergencies.

A person must be eligible for services by meeting one of the following criteria:

• Determination of Developmental Disability
• Determination of Mental Illness

Contact your Case Manager, Service Coordinator or the Supported Employment Department to see if you are eligible for the program.

Like anyone else, people with disabilities seek jobs that will match their abilities and interest. Therefore, the employment selection is up to each individual and his/her realistic opportunities and skills.

A reduction of the SSI check may occur if hours worked are above the minimum allowed by the law. This is calculated on a case-by-case basis. For more information see www.ssa.gov.