Dallas County has approved $600,000 in funding for Metrocare, the county’s largest provider of mental health services, to hire an interim chief financial officer (CFO) amid a projected $18 million loss. Metrocare serves over 55,000 adults and children in Dallas County, providing mental health, developmental disability, and permanent supportive housing services.
Financial Crisis at Metrocare
Dallas County Auditor Timothy Hicks projects that Metrocare will lose $18 million this year, citing significant liquidity stress, forecast reliability concerns, and structural operating imbalances. Hicks estimates that Metrocare needs $10 million to $15 million to survive.
Early talks are underway with Parkland Health to determine if the hospital district might take the lead on mental health services or take over Metrocare. Metrocare’s board held an emergency meeting to consult with an attorney regarding a potential contractual relationship with the Dallas County Hospital District.
Metrocare issued a statement confirming that talks are ongoing, but no final actions have been taken. The provider remains committed to maintaining continuity of care, supporting its workforce, and preserving essential services.
Future Leadership and Proposed Parkland Takeover
Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price voted against the $600,000 allocation, opposing Parkland’s potential takeover of Metrocare. Price argues that Parkland operates in a different business and that Metrocare needs to reorganize and potentially farm out services to other providers.
Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
