Texas System of Care

Overview

Building Stronger Systems for Children & Families

Every child deserves the chance to thrive at home, in school, and in their community.
Texas System of Care (TxSOC) brings families, youth, and community organizations together to make that possible.

Why TxSOC Matters

Across Texas, communities using the TxSOC approach have seen real improvements:

📉 81%
Fewer suicide attempts
📉 48%
Fewer unlawful activities
📈 18%
Increase in school attendance
📈 28%
More students with passing grades

How It Works

At its heart, TxSOC is about partnership:

  1. Families & Youth Lead the Way – Their voice and experience guide decisions.
  2. Communities Work Together – Schools, agencies, and providers coordinate supports.
  3. Support Where It’s Needed Most – Services are accessible and close to home.

Watch this short animated overview to see how families, youth, and community services come together across Texas.

Our Work: Texas Mental Health Creative Arts Contest

A statewide contest inviting Texans of all ages to share original artwork, writing, and photography about mental health—making it easier to talk about recovery, hope, and support.

What we did

  • Statewide communications and partner toolkits
  • Virtual receptions and public exhibits
  • Judging, People’s Choice voting, winner features

Impact at a glance

  • 600+ entries statewide
  • Multiple public exhibits & a live celebration
  • Thousands of public votes

Our Work: Thrive Fest

A free, family-friendly event centered on youth wellbeing—bringing together performances, hands-on activities, local speakers, and mental health resources.

What we did

  • Co-designed program with youth & partners
  • Exhibitors, volunteers, and activity coordination
  • Marketing, signage, and on-site evaluation

Highlights

  • Student performances & youth speakers
  • Art and wellness make-and-takes
  • One-stop resource fair for families

Guiding Principles

TxSOC is grounded in values that keep the focus on children and families:

  • Family-driven and youth-guided
  • Strength-based and individualized
  • Culturally and linguistically competent
  • Community-based and collaborative

Our Goals

To strengthen the collaboration of state and local efforts to weave mental health supports and services into seamless systems of care for children, youth, and their families.

Area of Focus

  • Youth voice
  • Family voice
  • Cultural and linguistic competence
  • Trauma-informed care
  • Transition-age youth
  • Texas Building Bridges Initiative
  • Wraparound

Resources