Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health

10/14/2026

The October episode of Reimagining Justice: Exploring Texas Innovations in Mental Health is out Friday!

In this month’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Anandita Oberoi, to learn more about her work exploring chess as an intervention in juvenile detention centers. The conversation will highlight a pilot project with the Fort Bend Juvenile Detention Center and explore how chess may support executive functioning among youth, how the pilot came about, and what researchers hope to learn from the program.

10/09/2026

Last week, JCMH Staff Attorney Katy Turner presented Working with Clients with Mental Illness at the Texas Advanced Paralegal Seminar (TAPS) in San Antonio, hosted by the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas.

We are proud of our team’s continued commitment to education and advancing understanding of mental health across the legal system in Texas.

10/09/2026

There is less than one month until the 2026 Judicial Summit on Mental Health, and we’re working to reach all 254 counties across Texas!

So far, we have 143 counties registered. Whether your county sends one person or a team, your presence helps strengthen the statewide conversation and ensures that communities across Texas are represented. Can’t attend in person? Virtual attendance is also available!

This year’s Summit will be held November 5–6, 2026, at Embassy Suites San Marcos, with both in-person and virtual attendance options available.

If your county is missing, register below and help us reach every corner of Texas!

Link to register: https://web.cvent.com/event/49c9d4d8-af1a-4a5d-8965-a81d4434ee48/summary

10/08/2026

Congratulations to JCMH Commissioner Beth Lawson and the StarCare Specialty Health System team on the opening of the expanded Sunrise Canyon Hospital and new Hope Center in Lubbock.

The expanded facility increases access to inpatient psychiatric care and provides crisis assessment, stabilization, and connections to services for individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises.

We’re proud to see the work our Commissioners are doing across Texas to strengthen behavioral health services and support their communities.

Read more:

The event was held at the Sunrise Canyon Complex at 1905 Aspen Avenue to celebrate the grand opening of the newly expanded Sunrise Canyon Hospital and the Hope Center.

09/28/2026

JCMH Executive Director Kristi Taylor led a judicial roundtable at the American Probation and Parole Association, sharing how judicial mental health commissions can strengthen collaboration across courts, community supervision, and behavioral health systems. JCMH is grateful for the opportunity provided by Judge Beckie Palomo and Magdalena Morales-Aina.

09/28/2026

📣 The 9th Annual Judicial Summit on Mental Health is coming up!

Our online interactive agenda is now available! Explore the agenda to see confirmed speakers, session topics, timing, and more as you plan for this year’s Summit.

📅 November 5–6, 2026

📍 Embassy Suites San Marcos | Virtual + In-Person

View the interactive agenda and start planning your Summit experience today!

09/18/2026

🎙️ New Episode of Reimagining Justice is LIVE!

This episode features Bill Cox, Director of Public Defense Improvement, and Kristin Meeks, Senior Policy Analyst with the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC).

TIDC works to improve public defense across Texas by supporting counties through funding, resources, training, and system improvement. The episode will discuss TIDC's Public Defender Offices, regional programs and initiatives, support for rural counties, funding and resources available to communities interested in developing similar programs.

🎧 Listen to the latest episode of Reimagining Justice today:

This episode features Bill Cox, Director of Public Defense Improvement, and Kristin Meeks, Senior Policy Analyst with the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC).TIDC works to improve public defense across Texas by supporting counties through funding, resources, training, and system improvement. Th...

09/17/2026

The September episode of Reimagining Justice: Exploring Texas Innovations in Mental Health drops tomorrow!

In this month’s episode, we’re joined by Bill Cox and Kristin Meeks from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission to learn more about the work TIDC is doing across Texas. The conversation will highlight the Commission’s Public Defenders Office and other regional programs and initiatives it supports. We’ll also discuss how the Commission serves rural counties, resources available to communities interested in developing similar programs, and any relevant grant or funding opportunities.

09/16/2026

There are less than two months until the 2026 Judicial Summit on Mental Health, and we’re working to reach all 254 counties across Texas!

So far, we have 132 counties registered. Whether your county sends one person or a team, your presence helps strengthen the statewide conversation and ensures that communities across Texas are represented.

This year’s Summit will be held November 5–6, 2026, at Embassy Suites San Marcos, with both in-person and virtual attendance options available.

If your county is missing, register below and help us reach every corner of Texas!

Link to register: https://web.cvent.com/event/49c9d4d8-af1a-4a5d-8965-a81d4434ee48/summary

09/02/2026

JCMH Executive Director Kristi Taylor and Assistant Director K**a Harris recently attended All Rise 2026 in Nashville where they learned about the latest research regarding specialty courts.

The conference brought together professionals from across the justice system, behavioral health providers, researchers, recovery leaders, and others working to improve outcomes.