Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health

06/08/2025

The final year of the JCMH Court Liaison Pilot Program is coming to a close. As the JCMH grant expires, Grayson and Denton Counties have both fully funded the Liaison position moving forward.

The 89th Legislature appropriated funds for five new counties to participate in the JCMH Court Liaison Program. Requests for Proposals for the new counties will be announced in the coming year.

For more information, see the Report on the first cohort:https://www.texasjcmh.gov/media/o31hgzus/texas-court-liaison-program-final-report.pdf

04/08/2025

NEW PODCAST EPISODE! 🎙

In this episode, we are joined by Jonathan Lemuel, the Director of Forensic Services at Bluebonnet Trails Community Services. He tells us about BBTCS's Outpatient Competency Restoration program, which helps defendants who are found incompetent to stand trial achieve the ability to participate in their own defense in a community-based setting.

Listen here:

Podcast Episode · Reimagining Justice: Exploring Texas Innovations in Mental Health · 08/01/2025 · 38m

01/08/2025

The wait is over - the detailed agenda for the 2025 Judicial Summit on Mental Health is NOW AVAILABLE!

View the detailed agenda to see confirmed session topics, speakers, timing and more.

Agenda:https://www.texasjcmh.gov/media/0vzhjnom/summit-detailed-agenda-7-22-25.pdf

Register: https://web.cvent.com/event/e401bbc3-30ae-401f-be22-b1b385a958b7/regPage:3a358dcf-21b7-414c-ad7b-06220cc77043

31/07/2025

A new state hospital is coming to Lubbock; construction is underway on the $121 million, 50 bed maximum security Lubbock Psychiatric Center, which is slated to be finished in 2027.

Since 2017, Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature have approved more than $2.5 billion to replace, renovate, or expand state hospitals across Texas.

Read more:

Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is beginning construction of the new Lubbock Psychiatric Center, which is slated for completion in 2027 and will o…

31/07/2025

Looking forward to the 2025 Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health Conference and truly honored to be selected as a guest speaker.
I’ll be presenting on Positive Youth Programs—highlighting the impactful work being done to guide and empower our youth toward brighter futures.

Grateful for the opportunity to share, learn, and collaborate with others who are passionate about mental health and justice reform. Williamson County, Texas - Government Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health JPCA of Texas https://texasjcmh.gov

29/07/2025

Congratulations to Douglas Smith, one of our SIM Mapping facilitators, on the publication of his book: The Path of Rocks and Thorns: Leadership Lessons from a Prison Cell. 📚

It is "the leadership book that should change the conversation about how great leaders emerge. Douglas Smith’s deeply personal story—of childhood trauma, addiction, mental illness, incarceration, and ultimately, recovery—follows the structure of Dante’s Inferno, using it as a metaphor for descending into hell in order to ascend toward purpose. His journey is not for the faint of heart, and this is far from an easy read. Yet the raw vulnerability and hard-won insight Smith brings to his teachings deliver a powerful message: Anyone who has fallen can rise."

Order your copy here:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

28/07/2025

Senior Staff Attorney Daniela Chisolm led a focused training session last week for key El Paso partners, including Emergence Health Network, Jail Magistrate Judge Ruben Nunez, Probate Judge Joseph Strelitz, and probate court interns on outpatient civil commitments and pathways to Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT). Although El Paso has operated an AOT program for six years, this session introduced opportunities to expand the program by accepting referrals from the criminal legal system. The training offered practical guidance to help local partners begin integrating this approach.

25/07/2025

🔷 Brazos Valley Crisis Intervention Network Meeting – Community Collaboration in Action 🔷
�Organized by Shawn Edwards, President of the Texas CIT Association

On July 24, the College Station Police Department hosted the Brazos Valley Crisis Intervention Network meeting, bringing together law enforcement, mental health professionals, and community stakeholders to strengthen our region’s response to mental health crises.

We were grateful to have Kristi Taylor from the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health, who shared valuable insight through a legislative update and discussed the latest changes to Emergency Detention procedures, crucial knowledge for those on the front lines of crisis response.

A special thank you to Monica Ingalsbe and Cedar Crest Hospital for providing lunch and continued support of this important work.
This kind of collaboration reflects the heart of effective crisis intervention.

Working together to create safer, more compassionate outcomes for individuals and families in need.
Let’s keep building stronger connections across the Brazos Valley and beyond.

24/07/2025

Did you miss our "Civil Commitment of People with IDD to SSLCs" webinar yesterday? No worries, watch the replay now!

You can sign up for the August 20 webinar, "Forensic Commitment of People with IDD to SLLCs" here: https://txcourts.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vqGCrduSQk2SCQ0x_nS73A #/registration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4TYzJLmz0M&list=PL8wGuG-6LHevHfpgzdyAnGx5OCzp-7GPR&index=1&t=8s

Presented by:Erin Lawler, Chief of System Policy at the Texas Council of Community CentersBeth Mitchell, Senior Attorney with Disability Rights Texas

22/07/2025

Want to be a part of the JCMH? We are now accepting any and all nominations for our Collaborative Council❗️

This Council is comprised of judges, lawyers, law enforcement, advocate, agency leaders, and other stakeholders who advise on the projects and strategies of the Commission. This Council meets three times a year on Zoom and assists the Commission by sharing information about issues affecting judicial and court practices regarding those with mental health issues or IDD. Councilmembers serve on JCMH committees and connect the Commission to local and statewide events and are invited to attend JCMH Commission meetings. Many Commissioners began partnering with JCMH as members of the Collaborative Council.

Please send any new nominations or express interest on your own behalf by emailing jcmh@txcourts.gov and including Collaborative Council Nomination in the subject line.

21/07/2025

East Texans, the Andrews Center Behavioral Healthcare System wants YOUR INPUT!

Fill out their Community Mental Health Needs Assessment Survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CMJCMZZ

After the survey concludes, the Andrews Center will share their findings with other healthcare and behavioral health partners in East Texas in order to enhance mental health care in the area.

Learn how SurveyMonkey helps you create free surveys and forms with ease, so you can get powerful insights that drive growth in your organization.

18/07/2025

DEADLINE EXTENDED!

JCMH is bringing back Resource Booths at the Summit from October 7 - 8 at the Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria. These booths will feature non-profit, state, and community organizations that work to help people and communities at the intersection of mental health, IDD, and the justice system in Texas.

A designated area will be set up with tables for each organization to display information, materials, or other resources beneficial to Summit attendees.

Apply here by August 1: https://www.texasjcmh.gov/media/hdojbvsl/2025-jcmh-resource-booth-request.pdf?v=G9vX9EiGi7M