(a) The Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, the Texas Youth Commission, and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, hereinafter referred to as "the agencies," agree to this memorandum of understanding (MOU) in compliance with Texas Human Resources Code §53.001.
(b) By July 15 of every odd-numbered year, or within 30 days after the Governor of Texas signs a general appropriations act, whichever is later, each of the agencies will determine which portion, if any, of its funding to designate for serving its clients through the joint contract(s) specified in subsection (c) of this section. None of the agencies is obligated to enter into the joint contracts specified in subsection (c) of this section unless all of the agencies elect to do so.
(c) Beginning on September 1, 1990, and by September 1 every year thereafter in which the agencies decide to enter into the joint contracts specified in this subsection, the agencies will award one or more joint contracts for nonresidential community services to help dysfunctional families in each agency's client population. At a minimum, each contract must include the following services:
  (1) training in parenting skills;
  (2) training in coping skills for youth, including communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict-management skills;
  (3) support groups for children of substance-abusing and dysfunctional families, and support groups for the children's parents; and
  (4) individual counseling for a limited number of clients referred from the support groups specified in paragraph (3) of this subsection during family crises.
(d) All joint contracts awarded under the provisions of this section must be publicized and awarded in conformity with all applicable requirements of Chapter 69 of this title (relating to Contracted Services).
(e) The agencies will ensure that contracted services are available to clients by September 1 of every fiscal year in which the agencies enter into the joint contracts specified in subsection (c) of this section.
(f) The agencies initially adopted this section on September 11, 1990. The agencies will amend it whenever they agree to revisions.
(g) The agencies will meet at least once each year to review and consider revising this section before the beginning of the next fiscal year.

Source Note: The provisions of this §702.409 adopted to be effective March 1, 2001, 26 TexReg 1352