Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health

04/20/2026

Apply to speak at the 2026 Judicial Summit on Mental Health!

We’re hosting our 9th Annual Judicial Summit on Mental Health on November 5–6, 2026, at the Embassy Suites in San Marcos, Texas.

Have a great idea for a presentation? Let us know!

Request for proposals: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CRVTZSP

04/20/2026

April is Autism Acceptance Month. This month, we celebrate and uplift individuals with autism while recognizing the importance of supporting the community year-round.

04/17/2026

Last week, the Texas AOT Collaborative met and heard from Dr. Aubrey Jones, an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Jones presented on research and data tracking methods her team uses to evaluate the Kentucky AOT program.

If you are part of an AOT program in Texas or are interested in starting one, we welcome you to join our collaborative as we continue these meaningful discussions. Our next Texas AOT Collaborative will be held on August 14 at 12 PM.

04/16/2026

Last week, JCMH Commissioner Judge David Jahn delivered a presentation on guardianship to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee, prompting thoughtful questions and meaningful discussion among committee members.

04/14/2026

We’re proud to congratulate JCMH Commissioner Hon. Stacey Mathews on her appointment to the Advisory Committee of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments. Judge Mathews is a valued leader within JCMH, serving on the Juvenile Bench Book, Curriculum, and Legislative Research Committees. We look forward to her continued impact in this important role.

On April 1, Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Judge Stacey Mathews of the 277th District Court in Williamson County to the Advisory Committee of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments.

04/10/2026

NEW PODCAST EPISODE! 🎙️

This episode features JCMH Partners Dr. Lynda Frost and Doug Smith as they break down Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) Mapping Workshops and the collaborative role they play alongside the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health and local communities.

Listen to the episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3GnkyBmsqPRCCwuuktMoLd?si=Ft8FauH3Q6KOyY51zAU6nA

Reimagining Justice: Exploring Texas Innovations in Mental Health · Episode

04/09/2026

Our April episode of Reimagining Justice drops this Friday!

This month, we’re featuring Dr. Lynda Frost and Doug Smith, who work with JCMH to lead Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) Mapping Workshops. You’re not going to want to miss this episode!

04/08/2026

Apply Today! The Court Liaison Pilot Program Request for Applications for Cohort Two is officially open.

The Texas Legislature has funded JCMH with $1.4 million to support five counties over four years, establishing a new Court Liaison position to strengthen coordination between courts and behavioral health systems.

Applications are due June 1, with funding beginning in FY27.

For more information or to access the application: https://texasjcmh.gov/programs-and-initiatives/court-liaison-program/

04/03/2026

JCMH Assistant Director, K**a Harris, attended the 2026 Texas Association of Pretrial Services Conference, in Georgetown, TX, last week.

K**a presented “Mental Health Laws Every Pretrial Professional Should Know in Texas,” offering insight into the complexities of mental health within the judicial system, key laws within the Sequential Intercept Model, and recent legislative updates pertinent to pretrial professionals.

04/02/2026

Last week, JCMH Senior Staff Attorney Daniela Jimenez Chisolm spoke at the Texas Association of Specialty Courts Conference.

Daniela presented “Integrating Psychiatry Trainees into Court Systems” alongside Dr. Eryn Pynes, a forensic psychiatry fellow from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso. The presentation highlighted the unique clinical perspective psychiatry residents and fellows bring to how courts respond to individuals with mental health needs. It also offered practical guidance on partnering with medical training programs and creating meaningful trainee roles within specialty court models. Dr. Pynes shared firsthand insights from her year-long court rotation.

03/31/2026

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! Throughout March, we recognize individuals with developmental disabilities and their importance within our communities.

03/27/2026

The Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health was proud to participate in the State Bar of Texas Juvenile Law Section’s Annual Conference. JCMH Senior Staff Attorney Daniela Jimenez Chisolm attended the conference and had the opportunity to connect with many partners working at the intersection of juvenile justice and mental health.

Several members of the JCMH community also contributed their expertise as presenters:
• Kyle Morris, JCMH Collaborative Council Member, presented with former JCMH attorney Molly Davis on “A Practitioner’s Guide to Chapter 55.”
• Hon. Ryan Kellus Turner, JCMH Collaborative Council Member, presented “The Anxious Generation: The Rewiring of the Adolescent Mind and Mental Health.”
• Hon. Cyndi Porter Gore, JCMH Commissioner, shared information on JCMH resources available to support courts and practitioners across Texas.
• Hon. Stacey Matthews and Hon. Victor Villarreal, both JCMH Commissioners, participated in a panel discussion.

We’re grateful to see so many leaders in our JCMH network helping advance conversations around juvenile justice and mental health in Texas.