This inaugural forensic and jail diversion event will bring together mental health professionals, justice system partners, and community stakeholders from across Texas for a two-day event focused on bridging gaps and bringing community and government systems together at the intersection of mental health and the justice system.
This conference will offer opportunities to build critical, base-level knowledge of community and government partner systems to improve relationships, cross-agency processes, collaboration and outcomes.
This two-day event will engage participants in group activities and discussions to enhance their knowledge and insight into local and national challenges and work toward tangible solutions.
A robust array of physical and digital resources will be offered throughout the conference.
The Summit aims to provide participants with introductory knowledge about the primary professional fields working in Texas at the intersection of mental health and the justice system. This year, leaders in various professional fields will share information about:
The Summit will take place at the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos Hotel Conference Center, 1001 E. McCarty Lane, San Marcos, Texas.
The hotel is located on Interstate 35, halfway between Austin and San Antonio.
Participants are invited to donate gently used clothing to help restock indigent closets across Texas.
Texas county jails and state hospitals maintain indigent clothing closets for people who need safe and appropriate clothing when being released from, or residing within, their facilities. These closets are primarily maintained by donations and supplies run out quickly.
1. Participants may drop off donations at the marked donation station before 5 p.m. on the first day of the Summit.
2. Summit volunteers will divide up donations evenly across identified facilities.
3. Volunteers from identified facilities will collect clothing and transport it back to their respective facilities.
Clothing and shoe donations of most types and sizes are welcome. However, to comply with facility protocols, the following items will need to be donated elsewhere:
Clothing with explicit language.
Clothing that depicts or promotes substance use.
Clothing with cut-out sections.
Steel-toed boots.
High heels.
Children’s clothing.
Bathing suits.
Socks and underwear that are not in sealed packaging.
Donated clothing should be practical and safe for people to wear as they reenter the community or reside in a state facility. We appreciate everyone’s understanding.
Drop-off facilities will be chosen based on the interest of the facility and availability of volunteers to collect and take clothing back from the Summit.
Please email the HHSC Forensic and Jail Diversion Services team to volunteer or learn more.
