1. (a) A provider must:

   1. (1) promote behavioral health;
   2. (2) focus on preventing and delaying first use of substances;
   3. (3) attempt to reduce long-term consequences of substance misuse;
   4. (4) provide services using the socio-ecological model and SAMHSA's Strategic Prevention Framework;
   5. (5) incorporate CSAP strategies that apply to the program, including Alternatives, Community-based Process, Information Dissemination, Education, Environmental, and Problem Identification, and Referral;
   6. (6) follow CLAS; and
   7. (7) offer services that help fill gaps in line with the current Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council's Behavioral Health Strategic Plan required by Texas Government Code §547.0156.

2. (b) A provider must use prevention strategies that:

   1. (1) focus on risk factors that lead to substance use and misuse, including:

      1. (A) ACEs;
      2. (B) NMDOH;
      3. (C) unequal access to healthcare and behavioral health services; or
      4. (D) other youth, family, and community risk factors; and
   2. (2) promote behavioral health and help build protective factors.
3. (c) Before providing substance use prevention education services, the provider must complete memorandums of understanding or community agreements with public schools and agencies, businesses, or community partners to ensure programs operate efficiently.
4. (d) A provider must operate a program according to written policies and procedures to support implementation.

5. (e) The policies and procedures must:

   1. (1) follow the rules in this subchapter;
   2. (2) meet any of HHSC's contractual and financial requirements; and
   3. (3) follow all relevant state and federal laws or rules.

6. (f) The provider must:

   1. (1) keep a copy of the policies and procedures;
   2. (2) provide a copy of the policies and procedures to staff; and
   3. (3) provide a copy of the policies and procedures to HHSC, if requested.
7. (g) A screening tool is not required for referral to services. If a tool is used, it must be HHSC-approved and not be used for purposes of diagnosis or treatment.

Source Note:The provisions of this §321.7 adopted to be effective April 16, 2026, 51 TexReg 2399.