Texas Counties and Mental Health: Changes and Challenges

Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos Hotel, Spa & Conference Center
1001 E. McCarty Ln.
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 392-6450

Sponsored By

Sponsored by the Texas Association of Counties and the Texas Justice Court Training Center.

Overview

According to a recent report from the Texas Judicial Council, approximately 1 million Texans experience serious mental illness in a given year. Also reported, up to 24 percent of Texas inmates have mental health needs. Throughout the state, the responsibility to effectively deal with a rising mental health crisis, as well as shoulder its financial burden, often falls to the court system.

From Harris County's jail diversion pilot program to improving an overburdened competency restoration system, a great deal of progress has been made to help Texans with mental illnesses over the past decade. But there is still a lot of work to be done.

Bridging the gap will include a concerted effort between justices of the peace, county judges and sheriffs to find creative solutions and take steps to solve these issues. This two-day conference, made possible by a Court Personnel Training Fund Grant, has been organized to help do just that.

Attendees, specifically judiciary and sheriffs, will learn about the nature of mental illnesses in the courts, how to create important partnerships and will hear a number of success stories that could be emulated in other areas.

Reimbursement

This program is generously funded by a Court of Criminal Appeals grant. County judges may be reimbursed for attendance in accordance with the grant guidelines. For more information please call Michele Mund at (800) 456-5974.

Who Should Attend

Sheriffs
County Judges
Justices of the Peace: Register with the Texas Justice Court Training Center here.