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Reimagining Justice: Exploring Texas Innovations in Mental Health — Government
Reimagining Justice: Exploring Texas Innovations in Mental Health

The Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health brings you an inside look at the individuals working to improve the lives of those at the intersection of mental health and justice in our state. Join us as we sit down with Texas mental health stakeholders and delve into their personal stories, experiences, and insights in the field. Listen in as we highlight their work and initiatives aimed at advancing mental health support and addressing the challenges in the criminal justice system. Get to know the leaders driving change and creating a more equitable and compassionate system for all.

Copyright: © Texas JCMH

Latest Episodes:

Chief SIM Officer with Keisha Morris Feb 07, 2025

In this episode, we are joined by Keisha Morris, the Chief SIM Officer at the Andrews Center Behavioral Healthcare System. She tells us about her unique position, which was created to ensure Smith County followed up on the priorities identified by stakeholders during the JCMH-led SIM Mapping in 2022.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Jail -Based Competency Restoration with Capt. Sarah Bigham and Amberlee Conley Jan 17, 2025

In this episode, we are joined by Capt. Sarah Bigham, the Chief of Staff for the Grayson County Sheriff's Office, and Amberlee Conley, the Chief Operations Officer at Texoma Community Center. They tell us about the implementation of jail-based competency restoration program in Grayson County, which provides competency restoration services in a designated space in a jail separate from general population.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Downtown Austin Community Court with Yvonne Mboss and Jennifer Sowinski Dec 06, 2024

In this episode, we are joined by Yvonne Mboss, a Clinical Case Manager Supervisor, and Jennifer Sowinski, a Clinical Operations Manager, of the Downtown Austin Community Court. They tell us about DACC, a problem-solving court established in 1999, and its different programs. The mission of DACC is to empower people to thrive by providing impartial justice and compassionate community-based services.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network with Dustin Schellenger Nov 01, 2024

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussion suicide and mentions child sexual assault. Some listeners may want to skip this episode and catch up with us for the next one.

In this episode, we are joined by Dustin Schellenger, the State Director for the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network. He tells us about the TLEPN, a state-wide program designed to give every Texas Law Enforcement Officer access to specially trained peers to address stressors, trauma, fatigue and other needs to combat workforce burnout and end Police suicide and self-harm.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

San Antonio Mobile Mental Wellness Collaborative (SAMMWC) Oct 04, 2024

In this episode, we are joined by Melissa True (Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute), Jessica Knudsen (Clarity Child Guidance Center), and Brian Jaklich (Harlandale ISD). They tell us about the San Antonio Mobile Mental Wellness Collaborative, an upstream collaboration of nonprofits focusing on behavioral health prevention so public schools do not have to focus fully on intervention.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Blanco County Community Paramedic Program with Wesley Patton Sep 13, 2024

In this episode, we are joined by Wesley Patton, the Blanco County Emergency Services Department Community Paramedic Captain. He tells us about the Community Paramedic Program, a unique program in Blanco County that dispatches paramedics to deescalate mental health crisis calls when necessary.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso Psychiatry Residency Program with Daniela Chisolm and Dr. Patricia Ortiz Aug 09, 2024

In this episode, we are joined by Daniela Chisolm, an Assistant El Paso County Attorney & Senior Trial Attorney in the Mental Health Litigation Unit, and Dr. Patricia Ortiz, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso. This innovative program is a collaboration between TTUHSC El Paso and the El Paso County Attorney's Office that embeds forensic psychiatry residents in the justice system with the goal of improving access to mental health care and decreasing incarceration rates, leading to better overall outcomes for justice-involved individuals with mental illness.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Panhandle Regional Problem Solving Court with Judge Matt Hand and Josh Crawford Jul 05, 2024

In this episode, we are joined by Judge Matt Hand, the Potter County Court #2 Presiding Judge, and Josh Crawford, the Director of Panhandle Regional Specialty Courts. The Panhandle Regional Problem Solving Court is a unique mental health court because it can pull participants from more than 20 counties in Texas.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Justice Forward with Devon Anderson Jun 07, 2024

In this episode, we are joined by Devon Anderson, the Justice Forward President and CEO. Justice Forward is a nonprofit that funds essential programs for individuals in the Specialty Courts of Harris, Galveston, and Fort Bend Counties to help them become independent and productive members of our community.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Tarrant County Public Safety Employees Treatment Court with Hon. Chuck Vanover, Courtney Young, & Sydney Howard May 03, 2024

In this episode, we are joined by Judge of Tarrant County Criminal Court 8 Hon. Chuck Vanover, Program Manager Courtney Young, and Caser Manager Sydney Howard. They tell us about the Tarrant County Public Safety Employees Treatment Court. The program is designed to divert eligible public safety employees out of the traditional criminal justice process and into appropriate rehabilitative alternatives.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Travis County Transformation Project with José Garza Apr 08, 2024

In this episode, we are joined by Travis County District Attorney José Garza. He tells us about the Travis County Transformation Project, a pre-arrest, community-based pilot program for 15 to 16-year-olds involved with family violence in the home.

In this episode, our guests talk about a video shown to families before they decide to join the program. You can view it here.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Libraries for Health with Dr. Sandra Smith and Abena Asante Mar 19, 2024

In this episode, we are joined by JCMH Collaborative Councilmember Dr. Sandra Smith, the Vice President of Via Hope, and Abena Asante, a Senior Program Officer at St. David's Foundation. They tell us about the Libraries for Health initiative. This program places peer support specialists in public libraries in eight different Central Texas communities.

In this episode, our guests talk about a "Storybook" which you can find here.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Rural Diversion with Sergeant Shawn Edwards Feb 02, 2024

In this episode, we are joined by JCMH Collaborative Councilmember Sergeant Shawn Edwards, the lead of the Burleson County Sheriff's Office Crisis Intervention Team. He tells us about the county's diversion program and his experience starting the program in a rural community.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Diversion Center with Denise Oncken and Wayne Young Jan 12, 2024

In this episode, we are joined by two JCMH Commissioners: Denise Oncken, the Mental Health Bureau Chief at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, and Wayne Young, the Chief Executive Officer of The Harris Center for mental Health and IDD. They introduce us to the Harris County Diversion Center, which just celebrated its 5th year.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Pretrial Intervention with Lee Pierson Dec 01, 2023

In this episode, we are joined by Lee Pierson, JCMH Commissioner and Dallas County District Attorney’s Office Mental Health Division Chief. He introduces us to the Pretrial Intervention Program in Dallas County, a series of conditions a defendant with a mental health concern can meet to ultimately have their case dismissed.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

The Sentencing Foundation with Judge Stephanie Sawyer Nov 07, 2023

In this episode, we are joined by Hon. Stephanie Sawyer, a Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas Judge and the Founder and Board Chair of The Sentencing Foundation. Since 2018, Judge Sawyer has been at the forefront of innovation by utilizing a program she developed: Resource-Based Sentencing & Supervision. Her program is meant to reduce mass incarceration and recidivism by providing re-entry resources to defendants and creating a system of accountability.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Trauma-Informed Courtroom with Judge Renee Rodriguez-Betancourt Oct 05, 2023

In this episode, we are joined by Judge Renee Rodriguez-Betancourt, the 449th District Court Judge in Hidalgo County. She presides over juvenile cases and provides youth with an opportunity for rehabilitation while simultaneously ensuring the general public’s safety. Judge Rodriguez-Betancourt introduces us to her newly decorated trauma-informed courtroom, which is designed to create a more physically welcoming environment for youth as well as prioritize the manner in which they are spoken to.

See photos of the courtroom here.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Multisystemic Therapy (MST) with Bailey Hagler Sep 08, 2023

In this episode, we are joined by Bailey Hagler, the Community Based Mental Health Director for StarCare Lubbock. She introduces us to Multisystem Therapy (MST), an intense, family-focused and community-based treatment program with the goal of rehabilitating juvenile offenders.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Peer Navigator Project with Anthony Graves Jul 28, 2023

In this episode, we are joined by Anthony Graves, the Director of Community Outreach at the Harris County Public Defender's Office. He introduces us to the Peer Navigator Project, which he started on his own before bringing the program to Harris County. Graves tells the story of his wrongful conviction and the 18 years he spent incarcerated. He is now using that experience to connect people who are currently incarcerated with peers.

Anthony's book: Infinite Hope: How Wrongful Conviction, Solitary Confinement, and 12 Years on Death Row Failed to Kill My Soul

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

CIRT and CORE with Sergeant Rico Gomez Jun 29, 2023

In this episode, we are joined by Sergeant Rico Gomez with the Harris County Sheriff's Office's Behavioral Health Unit. He introduces us to Harris County's CIRT (Crisis Intervention Response Team) and CORE (Clinician Office Remote Evaluation) programs and tells us how they have improved Harris County's response to calls with a mental health nexus.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice."

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

GEMS Program and Juvenile Mental Health Court with Hon. Cyndi Wheless May 03, 2023

WARNING: This episode contains discussion related to bullying, sexual assault, suicide, childhood trauma, and human trafficking. Some listeners may want to skip this episode and catch up with us for the next one.

In this episode, we are joined by Judge Cynthia Wheless, the Presiding Judge of the 417th District Court in Collin County. Judge Wheless tells us how and why she created the GEMS (Girl’s Empowerment Mentoring Support) Program and a Juvenile Mental Health Court.

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice".

*Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the JCMH, the Supreme Court of Texas, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Whole Person Project with Kirk Noaker Mar 16, 2023

For our very first episode of Reimagining Justice, we are joined by Kirk Noaker, Senior Specialist of Mental Health & Criminal Justice at the Arc of Texas. Kirk talks to us about the Whole Person Project, which seeks to expand access to quality mental health services for adult Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Links:

Whole Person Project videos

Whole Person Project background

If you have an innovation in mental health that you'd like to see on the podcast, email JCMH@txcourts.gov with the subject line "Reimagining Justice".

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