February 5, 2014 Dear Friends of MHMRA of Harris County, MHMRA of Harris County has initiated a robust, data-driven process

to create a fresh identity which will reflect our mission, improve access for those in the community who need and qualify for our assistance, as well as address recent changes in law. The starting point of this process is to understand how we as an organization are perceived and experienced. We need your help. Specifically, we need you to be willing to share your opinions and perceptions of us, and your experiences with our organization and services. For more than 40 years, we have served Harris County under the name of The Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County. Because of the changing healthcare landscape and a recent legal mandate to remove "mental retardation" from our systemic vocabulary, we are reconsidering the name of our organization. We feel this will ultimately be in the best interest of our consumers and our community. In 2014, we expect to launch a new "brand" that continues to speak to those we serve in our community. Our core mission remains the same: provide high-quality and efficient services for individuals with mental disabilities to enable them to live a fully functioning life with dignity as contributing members of our community. If you agree to help us, and we certainly hope you will, here is what you can expect:

MHMRA has contracted with a branding consulting firm, the MMI Agency, to conduct research in order to gain insights which will assist in the development of our new "brand". In the next few weeks, MMI will select a sample from among the many individuals and organizations who work with/relate to MHMRA. You may be selected and contacted by our consulting firm asking you to complete an anonymous and confidential survey. We ask that you please take the time to complete this survey. Not only will you be providing information to assist us to better determine our "brand" moving forward, but you will help us improve our services and grow in our mission for the Harris County Community. The consulting firm will use the results from the surveys along with independent research and analysis to help us strategize the way forward.

If you have any questions about our branding process, please feel free to reach out to Jazmin Gonzalez by calling 713-970-7602 or e-mailing jazmin.gonzalez@mhmraharris.org. Thank you, in advance, for what we hope will be your willingness to participate if your name is selected for the survey, as well as for your continued support. Regards,

Steven B. Schnee, PhD. Executive Director MHMRA of Harris County

Healthy Minds, Healthy Community

M enta l H ea lt h M en ta l R etar d at io n Au th or it y o f Har ris C oun ty 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX, 77074 713.970.7000 www.mhmraharris.org