Hill Country MHDD’s Family Partner Program and the YES Waiver

Ever wondered how communities come together to support families facing mental health and developmental challenges? In this premier episode of Beyond the Label, we introduce you to the heart and soul of the Hill Country MHDD Centers. Serving over 816,000 people across a massive 22,000-square-mile region in Texas, this vital organization is launching this podcast to pull back the curtain on its life-changing programs, dedicated staff, and the powerful stories of lived experience that drive its mission. Join hosts Kelsi Wilmot (Director of Community Development), Tyler Townsend (Communication Specialist), and Wanda Ferguson (Lead Family Partner) as they break down how they are transforming community care. Key Insights From This Episode: • Advocacy & The Family Partner Role: Wanda Ferguson shares her deeply moving personal motivation—inspired by her son Ryan’s mental health journey—and explains how she helps families navigate schools, the juvenile justice system, and everyday home structure. • Skills-Based Family Supports: Learn about the "nurturing program," designed to help parents and caregivers accommodate a child’s unique needs while maintaining healthy boundaries. • The YES Waiver Program: Discover how this grant-funded, wraparound service provides Medicaid-billable, optional support specifically designed to keep children safely at home and reduce the need for hospitalizations or residential placements. • Beyond the numbers and clinic locations, this episode is a testament to how empathy, collaboration, and targeted support can stabilize families and keep kids out of juvenile detention. Connect & Support • If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to support our channel! • Subscribe to the channel for more insightful conversations from the Texas Hill Country Podcast Network. • Like this video and Comment below: What is one takeaway that resonated with you today? • Share this video with a caregiver, educator, or friend who could benefit from these community resources. Resources: ⁠Hill Country MHDD: https://hillcountry.org/ #MentalHealthMatters #TexasHillCountry #BeyondTheLabel #CommunityCare #MHDD