The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD focuses on improving mental health and overall well-being through personalized programs and compassionate care.
In this blog post, we will explore the various programs and services offered by The Harris Center, highlight the dedicated staff, and discuss what sets these mental health facilities apart.
Additionally, if you’re looking for quick access to medical support, BetterHelp is an excellent option.
By signing up on BetterHelp, you can connect with licensed healthcare professionals and access their services.
About The Harris Center for Mental Health
The Harris Center for Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), located in Houston, TX 77074, is committed to providing high-quality, affordable, and efficient services for individuals with mental health and developmental needs.
They ensure that everyone, no matter their financial situation, background, or identity, has access to the care they deserve.
The centre’s mission is to change the lives of people facing mental health and developmental challenges, helping them live with dignity and find purpose as active members of their community.
Supported by local, state, and federal resources, The Harris Center delivers an integrated, accessible system of care, reaching tens of thousands of vulnerable residents across Harris County each year.
By working closely with community partners, the center strengthens the community’s safety net, creating a more resilient environment where individuals can thrive.
Behavioral Health Services Provided By Harris Center for Mental Health
The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD is dedicated to offering high-quality, affordable services that help individuals with behavioral health needs live with dignity and actively engage in their community.
Here are some of the behavioral health services offered by the Harris Center.
1. Adult Behavioral Health Services
The Harris Center provides outpatient behavioral health services for adults at four clinics, with costs based on eligibility determined during the first visit.
Services include medication management, counseling, job support, housing skills training, peer advocacy, and psychosocial rehabilitation.
While The Harris Center serves all ages at over 85 locations in Harris County, most adult services are at these four clinics, making it easier for clients to access care close to home or work.
Each treatment team creates a personalized plan to meet individual needs, focusing on the whole person to help them achieve stability and recovery.
2. Children’s Behavioral Health Services
Behavioral health issues can affect children, making it challenging for them at school, at home, and in the community.
The Harris Center offers support through various programs designed for children facing serious emotional challenges and early intervention services. Families can find the right location by exploring the center’s resources.
The Harris Center features a walk-in eligibility center and community service centers, including Southwest and Southeast locations.
Its services encompass the Airline Children and Adolescent Services/YES Waiver, school-based programs, the Choices program, and a Community-Based Stabilization Unit. Additionally, support can be provided in children’s homes or schools.
3. Crisis Services
At the Harris Center for Mental Health, skilled behavioral health professionals work in different settings to assist people in crisis.
They provide quick and accessible assessments, along with effective treatment, to help calm the situation and support individuals in returning to their normal lives in the least restrictive environment.
Leadership Team & Board of Trustees
The staff directory at The Harris Center includes a team of dedicated professionals with a range of expertise, all focused on delivering compassionate and effective care. Here are a few of them.
1. Leadership Team
1.1 Wayne Young
Wayne Young, MBA, LPC, FACHE, leads The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD as its Chief Executive Officer, overseeing one of the nation’s largest behavioral health providers.
His mission centers on making mental health and developmental disability services more accessible to individuals relying on safety net programs.
Wayne has also played significant roles in public health leadership, including serving as chair of the Texas Behavioral Health Advisory Council and being appointed to the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health.
1.2 Mustafa Cochinwala
Mustafa Cochinwala is the Chief Information Officer at The Harris Center, where he oversees IT, health information, and security teams across 84 locations.
He helped create a three-year plan to improve security and boost the centre’s digital presence and led the development of the EPIC Systems Behavioral Health Module.
Mustafa specializes in planning, security, and data analysis.
He has a degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Houston and is certified in Microsoft, Cisco, and ITIL.
1.3 Dr. LuminG
Dr. Luming Li is the Chief Medical Officer at The Harris Center, responsible for overseeing doctors and improving patient care and safety, especially for those with serious mental health conditions.
She also works directly with patients in outpatient and emergency psychiatric care. Dr. Li has written over 35 articles about mental health care, quality improvement, and leadership.
She earned her medical degree from Rutgers and completed her training at Yale.
Before joining The Harris Center, she held leadership roles at Yale New Haven Health. Dr. Li is also involved in national psychiatric committees and teaches at Baylor, UTHealth Houston, and Yale.
1.4 Keena Pace
Keena Pace is the Chief Operating Officer at The Harris Center, where she manages programs that help over 88,000 people each year.
She works with community partners to support people with mental health and developmental disabilities.
Keena is a licensed social worker with a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and a bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University.
She is also part of the National Association of Social Workers and serves on the board of the Association of Substance Abuse Providers in Texas.
1.5 Carrie Rys
Carrie Rys is the Chief Administrative Officer at The Harris Center, overseeing departments like Human Resources, Strategic Planning, Facilities, Communications, and Security. She has over 22 years of experience in healthcare management.
Carrie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Master’s in Accounting from the University of Saint Thomas. She is also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
1.6 Kendra Thomas
Kendra Thomas is the General Counsel at The Harris Center, managing legal matters with over 20 years of experience in behavioural healthcare.
Before becoming a lawyer, she was a Licensed Professional Counselor for 11 years, focusing on assessments and correctional behavioural health.
Kendra has worked in legal areas like housing, employment, special education, and civil rights, and has taken on both clinical and legal leadership roles at The Harris Center.
She holds a law degree from the University of Houston, a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from the University of Houston—Clear Lake, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Texas Tech University.
1.7 Kia Walker
Kia Walker is the Chief Nursing Officer at The Harris Center, with over 20 years of nursing experience.
She has worked as a Chief Nursing Officer, Associate Dean of Nursing, and in various clinical roles.
Kia is skilled in meeting Medicare and Medicaid requirements and focuses on improving processes, leading teams, and engaging staff.
She is working on her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Walden University and has a Master’s in Nursing from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Webster University.
1.8 Stanley C. Adams
Stan Adams is the Chief Financial Officer, and he has made improvements to how the organization handles finances, including closing monthly accounts and managing budgets.
He has extensive experience in financial operations in both large healthcare systems and smaller facilities, overseeing hospitals and clinic growth.
Stan holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management and is involved in professional groups like HFMA, ACHE, and HCCA, showing his commitment to quality in healthcare finance.
2. Board of Trustees
2.1 Robin E. Gearing, Ph.D., has been a board member since February 2020 and currently serves as Chair. He also leads the Audit Committee and is involved in the Quality and Program Committees.
2.2 Lois Moore, BSN, M.Ed., LHD, FACHE, has been on the board since February 2013 and is the Vice Chair.
She works on the Audit and Program Committees, helping guide the center’s financial and program decisions.
2.3 Jim Lykes joined the board in October 2019 and is also a Vice Chair. He leads the Governance Committee and contributes to the Resource Committee, focusing on leadership and resource management.
2.4 Luis A. Fernandez, M.D., became a board member in April 2024. As a doctor, he provides medical insight to the board.
2.5 Bonnie C. Hellums, M.Ed., LMFT, LCDC, AAC, JD, has been on the board since August 2016.
She chairs the Program Committee and is also part of the Quality Committee, helping maintain high standards for the center’s services.
2.6 Gerald W. Womack has been a board member since December 1992. He leads the Resource Committee and serves on both the Audit and Governance Committees, helping with the financial and administrative direction of the organization.
Want to know more about mental health hospitals, check these out:
- Broward Mental Health Hospital: Comprehensive Care & Support
- Brandon Hospital Mental Health: Supporting Mental Wellness
- Newport Mental Health Hospital Review
MyHealth: Access Your Harris Center Medical Records Anytime
MyHealth is a free online tool that allows you to access parts of your Harris Center medical records anytime and anywhere using a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
With MyHealth, you can view your test results, medications, immunizations, and allergies, as well as request prescription renewals and appointments.
You can also see summaries of past appointments or hospital stays, all designed to help you and your family take a more active role in your healthcare.
This secure system provides a personalized way to manage and track your health information, ensuring your care team is updated on your health status.
Using MyHealth, you can easily view your diagnoses, medications, and lab results while communicating confidentially with your healthcare team.
To set up your MyHealth account, ask a staff member for an access code to a Harris Center location.
After that, visit MyHealth.HarrisHealth.org and enter the code. You’ll need to fill in some personal information, including a username and password.
If you don’t have an access code, you can sign up online by matching your medical record number with your email address on file.
If you need help logging in or resetting your password, you can call 713-970-8699 for support, available Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Different Locations and Contact Information
1. The main location of The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD is at 9401 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77074, and you can reach them at 713-970-7000.
2. The NeuroPsychiatric Center (NPC) is located at 1502 Ben Taub Loop, Houston, TX 77030, also with the phone number 713-970-7000.
Services offered there include psychiatric emergency care, substance use recovery, psychiatric stabilization for both adults and children, pharmacy services, and detox for substance use disorders.
3. The Northeast Community Service Center is at 7200 N Loop E Fwy, Houston, TX 77028, providing outpatient mental health services, pharmacy services, and substance use disorder support.
4. The Southeast Community Service Center is located at 5901 Long Drive, Houston, TX 77087, and offers outpatient mental health services, children’s services, primary medical care, pharmacy services, and support for substance use disorders.
All locations operate 24/7. For more information on additional locations, please visit their official website.
FAQ’s:
Who treats mental illness?
Mental illness is treated by different types of professionals. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication and provide therapy, while psychologists focus mainly on counseling.
Licensed clinical social workers offer support and resources, and psychiatric nurses help with medication management.
Therapists and counselors with special training in various therapy methods also play important roles. These professionals work together to provide personalized care for each individual.
