Court Innovations in Mental Health

This intercept addresses the escalation of mental health and behavioral needs following a mental health crisis but without the involvement of law enforcement.

FOOD SERVICES
Abiding Love Food Pantry
7210 Brush Country Rd. Austin, Texas 78749
The Food Pantry partners with the Central Texas Food Bank and receives donations and support from faith communities, schools, businesses and individuals throughout the Austin area. During this time of social distancing the pantry service has been changed to a drive through model with no personal contact between volunteers and clients. The Food Pantry is open Mondays, 11:00am to 3:00pm. Please email Diane McGowan at dianemcg70@gmail.com or Rosa Hatfield at rosahatfield@gmail.com for more information.

Bread for All Food Pantry
1314 Oltorf, Austin, Texas | (512) 627-1212
This pantry is operated by Austin City Lutherans, partners with the Central Texas Food Bank, and receives donations and support from faith communities, schools, businesses and individuals throughout the Austin area. Volunteers are needed to set up the pantry on Monday afternoons and to serve families from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. The Food Pantry is open Mondays, 6:00 to 7:30pm.

Central Texas Food Bank
6500 Metropolis Drive Austin, Texas 78744 | (512) 282-2111
Central Texas Food Bank works with food donors across the country, financial supporters and volunteers to fill unmet needs in Central Texas. Central Texas Food Bank: Shares free food and knowledge on low-cost, healthy eating with families in need; Assists families who qualify for federal assistance programs; and Makes food affordable for charitable and government partners.

Hope Food Pantry Austin
4001 Speedway Austin, Texas 78751 | (512) 592-3171
Hope Food Pantry Austin has a mission to help alleviate hunger int he community. Their volunteers offer free groceries to Austin families experiencing food insecurity. They serve older adults, single parents, differently-abled people, families experiencing homelessness and adults who are under or unemployed.

Travis County Emergency Food Assistance Referral List
(877) 541-7905
The Travis County Emergency Food Assistance Referral List is a compiled list of food assistance programs. In this document, you will find a lot of information on Food Assistance programs, their locations, and their hours of operation.

HOUSING AND SHELTER
Foundation for the Homeless
P.O. Box 140946, Austin, Texas 78714 | (512) 453-6570
Front Steps has a mission is to provide a pathway home for our neighbors experiencing homelessness by offering emergency shelter, affordable housing, recuperative medical care, supportive services, and community awareness. Programs offered include: Our Shelter Services, Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid Rehousing, Keep Austin Housed/AmeriCorps, and Services for Veterans.

The Other Ones Foundation
512-568-7557
The Other Ones Foundation is a nonprofit that offers humanitarian aid, case management, and extremely low-barrier work opportunities to people experiencing homelessness in Austin, TX. Their current programs include work opportunities, emergency shelter, transportation assistance, hygiene services, and residential moving services.

IDD SERVICES
The Arc of the Capital Area
4902 Grover Avenue, Austin, Texas 78756 | 512-476-7044
The Arc of the Capital Area, a nonprofit organization, is committed to empowering Central Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families through compassionate case management and innovative programs.

MENTAL HEALTH (MH) TREATMENT SERVICES
Integral Care
(512) 472-4357
As the Local Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority, Integral Care strengthens the community by supporting the most important asset, the people, to achieve well-being. Integral Care provides individuals with high quality mental health care, collaborates with community partners to strengthen programs and systems, and works to raise awareness of mental health issues in the community. Services provided by Integral Care include: Crisis Services; Adult Services; Child & Family Services; Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities; Patient Information; 24/7 Helpline; and More.

NAMI Central Texas
4110 Guadalupe Street, Bldg. 781, Austin, Texas 78751 | (512) 420-9810
NAMI or the National Alliance on Mental Illness is dedicated to improving the lives of all individuals affected by mental illness through education, support and advocacy programs. NAMI Central Texas envisions a community that addresses mental illness as a health issue and provides the systems, resources and education for all people to achieve recovery. NAMI provides mental health services for Adults Living with Mental Health Conditions, for Families, Partners, and Parents, and for Schools and Teachers. NAMI Central Texas serves Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet, and Caldwell counties.

PEER SUPPORT SERVICES
Austin Mental Health Community
3205 South 1st Street, Austin, Texas 78704 | (512) 442-3366
AMHC supports and advocates for a peer’s right to achieve mental wellness, self-empowerment and self-sufficiency. Including: Support, Hope, Advocacy, Resources, and Education.

PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES
Dental Program - St. David's Foundation
3205 South 1st Street, Austin, Texas 78704 | (512) 442-3366
The St. David’s Foundation Dental Program operates a fleet of mobile dental clinics in collaboration with local schools and community-based agencies to deliver free dental care to underserved children in Central Texas. The program offers free dental screenings, sealants and acute care to students at high needs elementary schools within six Central Texas school districts. When school’s not in session, their vans visit safety net clinics to serve adults and families.

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (SUD) TREATMENT SERVICES
Sage Recovery And Wellness
7004 Bee Caves Rd. Ste. #200 Austin, TX 78746 | (512) 306-1394
This is a holistic addiction treatment center in Austin, TX that offers mental health and substance use treatments for adults and adolescents. Sage specializes in co-occurring disorder treatment and works with clients who have mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma-related disorders.

TRAINING, EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
Travis County Counseling and Education Services (TCCES)
5501 Airport Boulevard #102 Austin, Texas 78751 | 512 854-9540
Travis County Counseling and Education Services (TCCES) promotes public safety and crime reduction through assessment and rehabilitative programs for adults and juveniles referred by various criminal justice affiliates. Education Programs: TCCES provides rehabilitative classes for offenders who have committed crimes such as hot check writing, shoplifting, assault, some felony crimes, and other misdemeanors. The center also provides classes for first-time youth offenders. Alcohol and other Drug (AOD) Screening/Assessment and Family Violence Program: TCCES is also responsible for the evaluation, supervision, monitoring, education, counseling, and referral of offenders involved in family violence, alcohol, and drug related crimes.

VETERANS
Homeless Veterans Support
5501 Airport Boulevard #102 Austin, Texas 78751 | 512 854-9540
Supportive Services to address acute and chronic conditions underlying the veteran's homeless status. Services include shelter programs, transitional housing (HUD/VASH), temporary housing, rapid re-housing programs, longer-term financial support for rent, utility payments & essential needs, social programs, meal services and food pantry, assistive technology, and other qualifying resources identified through case management.

This intercept addresses the escalation of mental health and behavioral needs following a mental health crisis but without the involvement of law enforcement.

MENTAL HEALTH (MH) TREATMENT SERVICES
Austin Travis County Integral Care
844-398-8252
As the Local Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority, Integral Care strengthens the community by supporting the most important asset, the people, to achieve well-being. Integral Care provides individuals with high quality mental health care, collaborates with community partners to strengthen programs and systems, and works to raise awareness of mental health issues in the community. Services provided by Integral Care include: Crisis Services; Adult Services; Child & Family Services; Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities; Patient Information; 24/7 Helpline; and More.

Law enforcement plays a gatekeeper role to the criminal justice system and contact with law enforcement provides opportunities for diversion to a response that more effectively addresses mental health crises.

MENTAL HEALTH (MH) TREATMENT SERVICES
Integral Care- Mental Health First Aid
(512) 472-4357
Mental Health First Aid is a one-day class that teaches people how to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis or showing signs of mental illness.

Initial detention and court hearings provide the first opportunity for broader criminal justice system partners to be involved in mental and behavioral health responses.

COMMUNITY SUPERVISION PROGRAMS
Travis County Pretrial Diversion
Felony pretrial diversion is used in Travis County for a group of offenders that meet certain eligibility criteria. Through this program an offender is given a chance to avoid prosecution for an offense through successful completion of a period during which there are no new arrests, and all requirements of the term are completed.

This intercept addresses the importance of continued and concerted mental health responses in the criminal justice system.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Austin Bar Association
712 W. 16th St. Austin, TX 78701 | (512) 472-0279
The association's mission is to enhance the legal profession, administration of justice, and the community through education, networking, and public service. The Austin Bar prides itself on a long-standing commitment to provide attorneys continuing legal education, networking and social opportunities, and opportunities to serve to the community. We are the hub for all local, legal information. The Criminal Law Section open to both defense attorneys and prosecutors. The section partners with the Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association to host an annual Criminal Law retreat.

Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
712 W. 16th St. Austin, TX 78701 | (512) 472-0279
The purpose of ACDLA primarily is educational, and ACDLA provides its members with a variety of educational opportunities related to protecting the individual rights guaranteed by the Texas and the United States Constitutions, preserving the citizenry’s and court system’s commitment to those rights, and promotion of competent and ethical representation of persons accused of crimes. The website includes a member directory.

Capital Area Private Defender Service
509 W. 11th Street, Austin, TX 78701. Room 7.004. | (512) 774-4208
The Capital Area Private Defender Service (“CAPDS”) is a joint venture non-profit corporation. The creation of the CAPDS is a collaboration of the Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association, the Austin Bar Association, and the Travis County Criminal Judiciary. CAPDS is dedicated to assisting indigent clients of Travis County facing criminal charges. The organization provides consulting and management services to deliver the highest possible quality defense for those facing criminal charges in Travis County.

Mental Health Public Defender
1010 Lavaca St 4th floor Austin, Texas 78701 | (512) 854-3030
The Travis County Mental Health Public Defender (MHPD) Office began in April 2007 to serve the needs of persons with mental illness in the criminal justice system. Our staff includes a director, three full-time attorneys, four social workers, three caseworkers, and three support staff. The social and caseworkers are also available to assist private court-appointed attorneys. Referrals are made for a variety of social services. Follow-up case management services are also provided.

Public Defender's Office
1010 Lavaca St. 2nd Floor Austin, Texas 78701 | (512) 854-5100
he Public Defender's Office (PDO) is a comprehensive public defender office envisioned to be client-centered, independent, and innovative to the needs of Travis County residents. Consistent with nationally recognized best practices, the PDO provides high-quality holistic defense representation and other support to people accused of criminal offenses in Travis County.

SPECIAL COURT PROGRAMS AND PROCEDURES
Drug Diversion Court
411 W. 13th St. Austin, TX 78701 Room 401 | (512) 854-4646
Drug Courts (Specialty Courts) are viewed as an alternative non-traditional court. It is a judge involved multidisciplinary drug treatment and case management intervention system. The Court utilizes evidence-based strategies to break the cycle of addictive and criminal behavior by increasing client’s motivation and the acquisition of skills that promote sober living and crime desistance.

DWI Court Program
509 W 11th St, 6th Floor Austin, TX 78701 | (512) 854-7607
The mission of the Travis County DWI Program is to enhance community safety and improve lives by facilitating rehabilitation through a collaborative process, which includes treatment, supervision and judicial involvement. The goals of the Travis County DWI Court Program are protection of the community, maintenance of an alcohol and drug free lifestyle for the offender through treatment, and reduction in recidivism.

Evening Docket
509 W 11th St, 5th Floor Austin, TX 78701 | (512) 854-9243
Judge Lipscombe provides an after hours docket providing easier access to working families and students which meets twice per month.

Family Drug Treatment Court
1000 Guadalupe, Room 121 Austin, TX 78701 | (512) 854-5008
Parenting in Recovery/ Family Drug Treatment Court (PIR/FDTC) was created for parents who are suffering from a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and are involved in the Child Protective Services Civil Court system of Travis County.

Felony Pretrial Diversion Court
509 W 11th St, 7th Floor Austin, TX 78701 | (512) 854-9311
Felony pretrial diversion is used in Travis County for a group of offenders that meet certain eligibility criteria. Through this program an offender is given a chance to avoid prosecution for an offense through successful completion of a period during which there are no new arrests, and all requirements of the term are completed.

Misdemeanor Mental Health Diversion Docket
509 W 11th St, 6th Floor Austin, TX 78701 | 512-854-1174
The purpose of the Misdemeanor Mental Health Diversion Docket is to provide court supervision for defendants diagnosed with mental illness who have entered an agreement with the State to have their criminal case dismissed after a period of treatment and stability.

Project Engage
509 W 11th St, 4th Floor Austin, TX 78701 | (512) 854-9677
Project Engage is a docket created especially for misdemeanor defendants who are ages 17, 18 and 19 years of age. This docket takes place before Judge Mueller in County Court #6 every month. Misdemeanor cases that may be appropriate for Project Engage can be transferred into Court 6 from any Travis County criminal misdemeanor court at law or pled down to Court 6 as a reduction from felony District Court. Contact the Court 6 office if you have a case or cases you would like to be considered. This program is not offense specific.

SAFPF Re-Entry Court
509 W 11th St, 8th Floor Austin, TX 78701 | (512) 854-9310
The Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility (SAFPF) Reentry Court is a specialized Drug Court for SAFPF graduates during the aftercare portion of the SAFPF program. Success is recognized and rewarded through incentives; violations are addressed consistently and swiftly with Court administered sanctions.

SMART Re-Entry Court
509 W 11th St, 3rd Floor Austin, TX 78701 | (512) 854-3663
The Travis County Supervision and Monitoring for Alcohol Related Treatment (SMART) Re-Entry Court is a specialized docket operating on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 2:00 pm or as designated by the Judge and dedicated to the assessment, treatment and supervision of the participants of the SMART program. The purpose is to provide the participant with the structure and support they need as they work toward a drug and alcohol free life and a pro-social lifestyle. The SMART Re-Entry Court requires participation in frequent court appearances, random drug testing, community supervision and counseling.

Special Reduction Docket
509 W 11th St, 5th Floor Austin, TX 78701 | (512) 854-7180
The Special Reduction Docket provides consideration of defendants’ mental health issues as they relate to criminal conduct, with a goal of reducing recidivism and improving lives through appropriate treatment and services.

Specialty Docket
509 W 11th St, 2nd Floor Austin, TX 78701 | (512) 854-9099
The Specialty Docket provides thoughtful and appropriate consideration of defendants’ mental health issues as they relate to criminal conduct, with a goal of reducing recidivism, improving lives through appropriate treatment and services. Dispositions cover the full range of criminal justice outcomes from dismissal following compliance with a set of conditions (medication, treatment, services, etc.), probation, jail, state jail and/or prison.

The Phoenix Court Prostitution Prevention Program
509 W 11th St, 3rd Floor Austin, TX 78701 | (512) 854-9896
The purpose of Phoenix Court is to assist commercially sexually exploited persons who are considered victims of abuse. The pre-adjudication program, which lasts 1 to 2 years, aims to make lives more manageable through support and direction of an experienced Court Team by using a holistic approach providing comprehensive, community-based services as participants recover from trauma of sex trade.

Veterans Treatment Court
509 W 11th St, 9th Floor Austin, TX 78701 | (512) 854-3856
Veterans Treatment Court is a specialized court designed to meet the particular needs of the veteran community. The goal is to promote sobriety, recovery, and stability through a coordinated response that involves the cooperation and collaboration of many different levels of the Veterans Treatment Court team. The program utilizes a non-adversarial approach in which the Veterans Court team works together with the Veteran to guide him/her toward successfully attaining their goals.

Youthful Offender Support Court
509 W 11th St, 2nd Floor Austin, TX 78701 | (512) 854-9808
The goal of Youthful Offender Support Court (YOSC) is to reduce revocations of youthful offenders to the Institutional Division by providing judicial support and specialized supportive supervision. Participants are eligible for early discharge at 1/3 of the probation term with successful participation and completion of program requirements. The YOSC offers select participants an opportunity to participate in a program that utilizes a collaborative effort between the Judiciary, community supervision and counseling staff to provide specialized supportive supervision, intervention, treatment and resource linkage to youthful felony clients. All participants are supervised by the youthful offender Probation Officer (PO).

This intercept focuses on an individual’s post-incarceration life. Reentry must be well-planned, resourced, and individual-centric to help set individuals up for success.

EMPLOYMENT AND LIFE SKILLS SERVICES
Jail to Jobs
PO Box 2737, Cedar Park, TX 78630 | 737-234-5627
To break the cycle of recidivism, Jail to Jobs gives youthful offenders employment-based mentoring and training along with spiritual and character development. The organization also helps to meet the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation.

Via Hope
4604 S Lamar Blvd E-102, Austin, TX 78745 | 512-953-8160
Via Hope provides training and certification to people with lived experience with behavioral health conditions, or peers. Peers utilize their lived experience to help other people in their recovery journeys. Via Hope was originally established in 2009 under an existing non-profit before moving under the auspices of the newly developed Mental Health Resources of Texas nonprofit in 2014.

RESOURCE & PROGRAM LOCATORS
Reentry Roundtable
4604 S Lamar Blvd E-102, Austin, TX 78745 | 512-953-8160
The Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable, modeled after the National Reentry Roundtable convened by the Urban Institute, is an ongoing forum for academics, practitioners, community leaders, policy makers, advocates, and formerly incarcerated individuals working to address the challenges to effective reentry and reintegration of persons with criminal histories. Contact via email: info@reentryroundtable.org

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (SUD) TREATMENT SERVICES
Sage Recovery And Wellness
7004 Bee Caves Rd. Ste. #200 Austin, TX 78746 | (512) 306-1394
This is a holistic addiction treatment center in Austin, TX that offers mental health and substance use treatments for adults and adolescents. Sage specializes in co-occurring disorder treatment and works with clients who have mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma-related disorders.

As an extension of the justice system, parole and probation balance justice-system monitoring with individual-focused service coordination to establish a safe and healthy life outside of the justice system.

COMMUNITY SUPERVISION PROGRAMS
Adult Probation
411 W 13th St # 400EOB, Austin, TX 78701 | (512) 854-4600

COUNTY INNOVATIONS IN MENTAL HEALTH

COUNTY RESOURCES IN MENTAL HEALTH

Basic Needs

Crisis Services including Emergency Detention

Law Enforcement

Jails, Magistration, and Defense Attorneys

Trial Courts, Specialty Courts, and Prosecutors

Re-entry and Recovery

Community Supervision and Corrections