Effective July 2011, all research involving mental health and substance abuse clients/patients, medical records/charts/data, or staff will require additional review steps before proposed research is approved. The approval to apply to IRB#2 will be required of all proposed research whether internal to DSHS or external. Research will also be subject to DSHS Executive Committee approval after IRB#2 review. Here is a general overview of the steps involved:
- approval to apply from the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Division Assistant Commissioner or his designee and the DSHS Facility Superintendent;
- review of application by DSHS IRB#2 (full board) or IRB#2 Chair (for expedited reviews); and
- approval from DSHS Research Executive Steering Committee.
If the research is approved at all of the three steps noted above, then a formal approval letter will be provided and the study can proceed. If the research were to be disallowed at any of the three steps, then the research could not be conducted at DSHS.
The principal investigator/primary contact should build in time for these various approval levels when planning. These steps cannot be bypassed or shortened.
Full Board review can require two or more meetings of the IRB because changes to the application are usually required. Expedited reviews are conducted by the Chair or his designee and are ongoing.
Investigators should email the IRB#2 Coordinator/Administrator and obtain an approval to apply form and schedule a time to review the requirements for the approval process.
For initial applications involving State Supported Living Centers clients and staff, the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) requires approval from the Assistant Commissioner. Contact the IRB#2 Coordinator/Administrator for additional information regarding DADS.
IRB#2 Coordinator/Administrator
Tanya J. Guthrie, Ph.D.
Research Specialist, Decision Support Unit - IRB#2 Coordinator/ Administrator
Phone: (512) 206-5730
Email: tanya.guthrie@dshs.state.tx.us