Report Prompts Increased Access to Psychiatric Care in Arlington, Texas

In response to a report detailing "extremely limited access to needed health services" in Arlington, Texas, Tarrant County, which includes Arlington, plans to start a program to "improv[e] access to psychiatric services," the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. The report, which is published by the Arlington Human Service Planners and is scheduled for public release Sept. 30, found that the area's increasing population and a slow economy have led to a lack of public transportation options, making it difficult for low-income families to obtain psychiatric services. In addition, the report determines that the region needs 46 more child psychiatrists, for a total of 58; an "inpatient psychiatric project" that contracts with private providers; a substance abuse treatment center for the indigent; adult preventive dental care, in addition to the emergency care already provided; after-hours medical services; and more health centers that provide screenings in the evening. In response to the report, Mental Health Mental Retardation of Tarrant County has started a psychiatric screening program in Arlington; previously the closest program was in Fort Worth. In addition, the organization has hired a health services liaison to "focus on ways to improve care" in Arlington (Jarvis, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9/6).