Housing Learning Community

The Texas Behavioral Health and Justice Technical Assistance Center launched the first session of the Housing Learning Community in December 2025 highlighting the Texas Panhandle Centers (TPC) and their Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program.

Participants of this session learned about Intercepts 0 and 1 of the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM), which includes community-based services and crisis supports (Intercept 0), and initial encounters with law enforcement (Intercept 1).

The TPC is a certified community behavioral health clinic that serves adults and youth with severe mental illness, substance use conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and children from birth through age 3 who experience developmental delays. TPC serves 21 counties in the Texas Panhandle and provides services to more than 10,000 people and their families each year.

Funded by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, TPC’s PATH program works to reduce or eliminate homelessness for people living with serious mental illness, including those with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

PATH program administrator Jacqueline Cullum spoke about how TPC leverages their expertise by focusing on intervention and collaboration to ensure people receive services appropriate for their needs. They do this by partnering with the City of Amarillo’s Coming Home Program, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development resources, and local agencies that serve people experiencing homelessness.

The PATH program stands out for its flexibility in meeting people where they are. Unlike traditional programs that discharge people after missed appointments, PATH allows more time before disenrollment to maintain engagement.

The TPC team conducts location-based outreach and operates the only PATH program in Texas with an on-site intake clinic, offering walk-in assessments without referrals or scheduled appointments. Its downtown Amarillo location provides a welcoming, accessible space near shelters and key resources, keeping the PATH team closely connected to the community.

These strategies help PATH respond quickly to connect with people when they are most ready to engage.

To learn more about PATH, visit samhsa.gov/communities/homelessness-programs-resources/grants/path. To learn more about the Housing Learning Community, visit txbhjustice.org/learn-and-engage/housing-learning-community/preview.

Communities across Texas are building and strengthening work at the intersection of behavioral health and the justice system.

In February, we spotlighted Grayson County. Through their efforts in accelerating early court review and coordination, they saw a reduction in unnecessary jail stays and an improvements in stabilization for people with serious mental illness charged with low-level offenses.

The second session of the Housing Learning Community series was led by Grayson County District Court Judge James Henderson and Community Diversion Coordinator Elizabeth Groves.

During this session, participants learned about Intercept 2 of the Sequential Intercept Model, which occurs when a person is detained by law enforcement and appears before a judge or magistrate for an initial hearing.

The Grayson County District Court described how they prioritize rapid court access and timely decision‑making. County leadership emphasized that even brief delays can destabilize housing, interrupt access to medication and increase risks to personal safety.

As an original Court Liaison Program site through the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health, Grayson County has turned policy intent into consistent courtroom practice. The county implemented a coordinated process centered on early identification and real‑time information sharing across systems that enables the court to respond quickly when behavioral health needs arise.

Early identification begins at booking. Groves reviews each intake for behavioral health indicators using Sandra Bland Act screening tools, Continuity of Care Query matches, and information from the magistrate’s packet.

Court‑developed processes allow staff to flag cases, complete assessments as needed and bring people before the court, often within four to 10 days of arrest.

By prioritizing early action, informed judicial decision‑making and housing stability, Grayson County demonstrates how targeted strategies in the justice system can prevent deeper system involvement and support more sustainable outcomes.