Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the Health and Human Services Commission to make its behavioral health services available to all children living in Uvalde.
In a letter dated June 8, Abbott directed the agency to “use all available resources to work with families to provide behavioral health services to every child in Uvalde who desires support.”
The governor had previously promised to expand mental health resources after a school shooting claimed the lives of 19 children and two adults in Uvalde in May.
“The tragedy in Uvalde at Robb Elementary School has left a community and its children
traumatized and searching for help,” wrote Abbott. “As these families begin to rebuild their lives, it is essential that the children of Uvalde have access to mental health treatment.”
He directed HHSC to coordinate its efforts with the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium.
Experts have observed that Uvalde currently does not have sufficient inpatient treatment options or enough psychiatrists experienced in treating children and adolescents, according to The Washington Post.
Mental health has become one focus of the state’s response to the tragedy. State leaders convened special legislative committees at the governor’s direction.
Abbott tasked them with discussing how the topics of school security, mental health, social media, police training, and firearm safety played into the massacre at Robb Elementary School.
The committees also plan on investigating the law enforcement response to the shooting.
Abbott’s order on mental health is just the latest in a string of executive actions he has taken since the shooting.
In addition to calling for the special legislative committees earlier this month, the governor directed the Texas School Safety Center to partner with TEA to develop and execute random school safety inspections.
He also mandated active shooter training for all school district officials and school-based law enforcement officers.
