Governor Greg Abbott highlighted groundbreaking projects and investments throughout 2024 to ensure all Texans everywhere in the state have access to the critical programs and infrastructure they need to thrive.
“Texas’ greatest natural resource is its people,” Governor Abbott said. “Investing in our urban, suburban, and rural communities makes our great state stronger. This year, Texas is committed to increasing access to health care, quality education, and financial aid. We’ve invested billions of dollars in rural communities. Stronger rural Texas means stronger Texas, a more resilient future for all Texans. ”
2024 Texas Local Investment Highlights:
Governor Abbott announces $34 million behavioral health campus project in Uvalde
In the spring, Governor Abbott announced a $34 million project to build a behavioral health campus in Uvalde to provide on-site care to children and adults facing mental health crises in 32 surrounding counties. did.
“When Texans are safe and healthy, our communities are stronger, in both urban and rural areas,” Governor Abbott said. “We continue to work to expand access to critical mental health resources.” “This new behavioral health campus will provide Texans facing a mental health crisis with access to mental health professionals and 24-hour treatment to meet their needs. Texas Thank you to my partners in the Legislature and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for their continued efforts to increase critical access to both crisis and preventive mental health care services across our great state. ”
The new behavioral health campus is scheduled to open in summer 2025. The facility will feature a 16-bed crisis unit for adults, including 10 crisis residential beds and six extended observation unit (EOU) beds. The purpose-built Youth Wing will house a 16-bed crisis unit for children and youth, including 12 crisis housing beds and four EOU beds.
The Community Behavioral Health Campus focuses on providing crisis stabilization for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, serves as a 24/7 designated diversion center, and is walkable from law enforcement. Accepts in-ins and drop-offs.
For more information on mental health and crisis resources, visit MentalHealthTX.org.
For more information about the Behavioral Health Campus Project, visit: gov.texas.gov/es/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-34-million-behavioral-health-campus-project-in-uvalde
Governor Abbott announces seven new state hospital projects
In June, Governor Abbott announced seven new state hospital projects to better serve people in need of inpatient psychiatric services across Texas. These projects include facility expansions, renovations, and new facility construction in Amarillo, Lubbock, Terrell County, Wichita Falls, Harlingen, San Antonio, and El Paso.
“Texas continues to work to increase access to critical behavioral health care for Texans in every region of Texas,” Governor Abbott said. “This will help ensure Texans have access to mental health professionals and advanced healthcare providers.” -Quality treatment that meets their needs. ”
North Texas State Hospital in Wichita Falls will increase access to mental health professionals and quality treatment for the people of North Texas. The campus provides inpatient psychiatric services for adults, adolescents, and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The new state hospital in Terrell is a step forward in Texas’ continued efforts to expand and modernize state facilities that provide behavioral health treatment to Texans. The new facility will include state-of-the-art treatment spaces aligned with evidence-based treatments. Single rooms are designed to balance patient privacy and safety, with natural light throughout the facility to promote recovery and healing. Patients will have access to common activity areas and outdoor courtyards to encourage social interaction.
These Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) projects are funded with $1.5 billion approved by the Governor and Texas Legislature in 2023.
Learn more about the State Hospital Project here.
gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-seven-new-state-hospital-projects.
Governor Abbott Announces Over $6.3 Million in Workforce Grants
Earlier this year, Governor Abbott announced that more than $6.3 million in Texas Talent Connection grants were awarded to 20 innovative workforce skills training and job placement programs in communities across the state.
“Texas leads the nation in job creation thanks to the strength of our young, skilled, diverse and growing workforce,” said Governor Abbott. “We are proud to connect more Texans with the skills they need to advance in in-demand careers and connect more employers with Texans the skills they need to grow their businesses.”
The Texas Talent Connection Grant Program, administered by the Texas Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s Texas Workforce Investment Council, provides innovative education and workforce skills training that leads to job success, increased wages, and improved job retention. -A workforce population that supports programs and also has special needs.
A full list of awarded grants can be found here:
gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-over-6.3 million-in-workforce-grant.
Governor Abbott announces $3.3 million in grants to support maternal and child care operations at local hospitals
In August, Governor Abbott announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) had awarded $3.3 million in grants to improve maternal care in rural hospitals that currently do not provide labor and delivery services. . Eligible hospitals received a one-time grant of $35,000 to purchase neonatal equipment, supplies, and training for emergency labor and delivery services.
“Texas remains committed to ensuring new mothers and their families have access to quality health care services in every corner of our great state,” said Governor Abbott. “Expanding access to rural health care remains a top priority. This $3.3 million grant will allow hospitals to purchase equipment to help Texas mothers and increase access to emergency labor and delivery services. We will receive much-needed financial assistance to train our health workers.”
This grant aims to improve maternal care practices related to newborn preparation and preparedness for emergency labor and birth.
Governor Abbott Announces Over $2.7 Million in Grants to Panhandle Veterans Organizations
In September, Governor Abbott announced that 10 Fund for Veterans Affairs (FVA) grants totaling more than $2.7 million were awarded to eight organizations in the Panhandle. As part of the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC)’s Texas-wide Grants, this funding serves more than 1,000 veterans and their families across 60 counties.
“Texas is forever grateful to the heroic men and women who sacrificed their lives for our country,” said Governor Abbott. “These Veterans Affairs Fund grants will provide critical resources for veterans and their families, clinical counseling, home improvement, and other critical programs.”
The grants support a wide range of services, from emergency financial assistance to transportation, legal services to family support services, and home renovations to rental and mortgage assistance. TVC awards grants in five categories: General Assistance, Housing for Texas Heroes, Veterans Mental Health Grants, Veterans Treatment Court, and Veterans County Service Employees.
In May, the Governor announced 181 grants totaling more than $44 million to 161 organizations across Texas. It is expected to directly serve more than 42,000 veterans, their dependents, and surviving spouses.
For more information about Veterans Affairs Fund grants, visit gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-over-2.7-million-in-grants-to-panhandle-veteran-service-organizations.
