State agency websites can sometimes be difficult to navigate. The Texas Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council members have highlighted links to specific helpful information within their agencies.
- Mental Health Resource Guide
- Mental Health Resource Guide from The Court of Criminal Appeals
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Mental Health Pamphlet on Incompetency to Stand Trial from the Texas Criminal Defense Attorney’s Association [PDF]
- Texas Municipal Courts Education Center’s 2016 Mental Health Summit, Session Recordings
- Texas Municipal Courts Education Center Flowchart
- Texas Justice Court Training Center Mental Health Site
- Texas Association of Counties Mental Health Handbook
- Texas Association of Counties Legislative Brief – Behavioral Health and the Judicial System
- Texas Association of Counties – The Mental Health Crisis Video
- Job Aide for DFPS Caseworkers – This flyer provides staff from the Department of Family and Protective Services with guidance and resource information on how to support families when a child is in crisis and how to access the Children’s Mental Health Residential Treatment Center Project.
- HHS Residential Treatment Center Informational Flyer – This flyer provides details, including project description, eligibility criteria, and contact information for the Children’s Mental Health Residential Treatment Center Project.
- Residential Treatment Center Family Guide – This guide’s purpose is to inform and support families in making decisions for their child and family, and walks through each step of the residential placement process, including a person’s rights and how to support a child transitioning back home. (Spanish-language version PDF)
- Family Guide: Children’s Mental Health Services – This guide includes information to help a family navigate the Children’s Mental Health System under the Health and Human Services Commission.
- Department of Family Protective Services and Local Mental/Behavioral Health Authorities Crosswalk – This document identifies each Department of Family and Protective Services region where Local Mental Health and Behavioral Health Authorities (LMHA/LBHA) provide mental health services.
- Newly Updated Working with Persons with Disabilities Resource Guide
DFPS has recently updated the Working with Persons with Disabilities Resource Guide. The update includes vital information about how staff can request a Sign Language Interpreter who can meet the specific needs of an individual with a hearing impairment. - Recently Updated Trauma Informed Care Training
The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) recognizes the long-term effects of adverse childhood experiences such as child abuse and neglect. The need to address trauma is an important component of effective service delivery. The impact of trauma is experienced by children, families, caregivers, and the social service providers who serve them. This training is a free resource for child welfare system caregivers, professionals, advocates, stakeholders and members of the public who are interested in learning about the impact of trauma. - Mental Health Resource Guide
This publicly available resource guide identifies Mental Health related policy and provides guidance on serving families impacted by Mental Health Disorders. - Substance Use Disorder Resource Guide
This publicly available resource guide identifies Substance Use Disorder related policy and provides guidance on serving families impacted by Substance Use Disorders. - Trauma Informed Care Supplemental Links and Resources
This guide provides DFPS employees and stakeholders with access to trainings, policy, assessments, and resources related to Trauma Informed Care. - DFPS Texas Youth Connection
DFPS Texas Youth Connection provides resources for mental health, substance use disorders, and suicide prevention. - STAR Health Overview
Star Health provides children in DFPS Conservatorship with access to medical, dental, and behavioral health services. - Psychotropic Medications
This page provides staff and stakeholders with information on Psychotropic medication policy, medication related issues, and medication management. - Senate Bill 44
Senate Bill 44 requires DFPS to assist families in seeking treatment for children with serious emotional disturbances. - Help for Parents; Hope for Kids
This website provides access to parenting education and resources for families. There are direct links to crisis intervention services and assistance locating substance use treatment, mental health treatment, child development services, childcare services, and legal services.
The Department created the Behavioral Health Services Division in December of 2018.
The Division consists of a Division Administrator, a Trauma Informed Care Specialist, a Mental Health Specialist, three Substance Use Specialists, and two Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Specialists. The division assists field staff in case related issues, provides trainings, and acts as a liaison with Local Mental Health or Behavioral Health Authorities, Behavioral Health Hospitals and Treatment Facilities, and Substance Use Treatment Facilities. The Behavioral Health Services Division has presented at various leadership conferences throughout the state.
The Department is currently participating in a Domestic Violence Initiative.
The Domestic Violence Initiative (DVI) in the Division of Permanency has developed a series of nine trainings to address family violence and increasing the child/family safety network.
The Trauma Informed Care Training was updated and published in 2019 to include various resources for Trauma Informed Care and made available to staff and external stakeholders.
The Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessment (CANS) Telehealth Initiative has allowed children and caregivers to participate in this assessment remotely. This has increased the overall access to behavioral health services across the state.
- DSHS Public Health Agency Action Plan to Address Substance Use.
A three-year action plan for DSHS to address substance use. - DSHS Texas Health Data
Behavioral health data trends, including those on drugs and alcohol, mental health workforce, licensed health professions, etc. - DSHS Controlled Substance Reporting
Texas law requires that healthcare providers report overdoses involving Penalty Group 1 controlled substances. DSHS has improved how it collects these reports, making it easier for healthcare providers to submit data here. - DSHS TexasAIM – Obstetric Care for Women with Opioid Use Disorder
A critical part of an initiative to implement best-practices that make hospital care safer for mothers.
- Texas Education Agency
- Texas School Mental Health – Home
- School Mental and Behavioral Health Home Page
Overview, statutory requirements, links to statewide mental health resources, recommended best-practice based programs and research-based best practices component resources for schools. - Mental Health Promotion
- Mental Health Prevention and Early Intervention
- Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention
- Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention
- Grief and Trauma-Informed Practices
- Building Skills related to Managing Emotions, Establishing and Maintaining Positive Relationships, and Responsible Decision-Making
- Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports and Positive Youth Development
- Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) Resources
- Project AWARE Texas
- Safe and Supportive School Climate
- Texas Health and Human Services
- “A Community Support Guide for Alternatives to Inpatient Mental Health Treatment”
Affordable Housing Resources
Aging and Disability Services
- Services for the aging population available through the state
- Local Area Agencies on Aging
- Long-Term Care
- Aging and Disability Resource Center
Behavioral Health Services
- Mental Health and Substance Use
- Children’s Mental Health
- Family Guide on the use of Children’s Mental Health Services
- Texas Targeted Opioid Response
- The Texas Veterans and Family Alliance Grant Program
- Community Resource Coordination Groups (CRCG)
- CRCG Service Coordination
- Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis
- Medicaid Reference Guide
Coordination and Training
- Behavioral Health Services Videos
- Office of Mental Health Coordination (OMHC)
- Mental Health First Aid
- Mental Health Awareness
- Self-Directed Care Project
Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities
- Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) – Long-Term Care
- Local Intellectual and Development Disabilities Authority (LIDDDA)
- Explanation of IDD Services and Supports (PDF)
- Mental Health Wellness for People with IDD
Reports, Presentations, Rules, and Other
- Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health
The Judicial Commission on Mental Health was created by a joint order of the Supreme Court of Texas and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The mission of the Judicial Commission on Mental Health is to engage and empower court systems through collaboration, education, and leadership, thereby improving the lives of individuals with mental health needs and persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
- Texas Workforce Commission Website
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is the state agency charged with overseeing and providing workforce development services to employers and job seekers of Texas. - TWC Manuals, Guides, & Publications
- TWC & the Rehabilitation Council of Texas: The Rehabilitation Council of Texas works with TWC’s Vocational Rehabilitation programs to develop, agree to and review state goals and priorities.
Funding information for the Vocational Rehabilitation Program
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services, United States Code, Title 29, Chapter 16, Subchapter I
- State Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34, Part 361
- Texas Rehabilitation Commission, Texas Human Resources Code, Title 7, Chapter 111
- Texas Commission for the Blind, Texas Human Resources Code, Title 5, Chapter 91
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Texas Labor Code, Title 4, Chapter 352
Services at the Texas Workforce Commission
- Services at the Texas Workforce Commission
Find TWC vocational rehabilitation services for people with physical or cognitive disabilities, including blindness or visual impairment.
TWC Reports: The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is federally mandated to collaborate on the Texas Combined State Plan, a four-year plan for achieving all workforce goals of the state, and on the Rehabilitation Council of Texas annual report, which includes data on the effectiveness of the VR program. - 2015 Rehabilitation Council of Texas Annual Report
- Texas Combined State Plan for Programs Authorized under the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
- OCA Mental Health Publications and Training Materials
- Texas Mental Health Defender Programs
This publication focuses on the role of indigent defense at the intersection of mental health and criminal justice. It describes how Texas addresses mental illness and crime, explores the benefits of mental health defender programs, and examines the operations of several defender programs. Ultimately, TIDC hopes this publication encourages wider adoption of mental health defender programs.