The work of JCMH requires the sustained collaboration of dedicated individuals who are committed to creating a legal system that better serves individuals with mental health challenges. The Collaborative Council is composed of interested stakeholders and advocates from across Texas to inform the JCMH on important matters when considering projects and policy.
- Hon. Devon Anderson
President and Chief Executive Officer, Justice Forward
- Trey Apffel
Executive Director, State Bar of Texas
- Hon. Mark Atkinson
Chief Executive Officer, Texas Center for the Judiciary
- Amy Befeld
Legislative Consultant, Texas Association of Counties
- Catherine Bialick
Senior Advisor, Office of the State Forensic Director, Texas Health and Human Services Commission
- Dr. Virginia A. Brown
Assistant Professor, Community Engagement and Health Equity, Department of Population Health, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin
- Sonja Burns
Mental Health Advocate
- Hon. Nelda Cacciotti
Tarrant County Judicial Staff Counsel, Mental Health Magistrate
- Dr. Diana Cantu
CEO, Texoma Community Center
- Kathleen Casey-Gamez
Senior Policy Analyst, Texas Indigent Defense Commission
- Alex Cogan
Manager of Public Policy and Advocacy, The Arc of Texas
- Armando Colombo
President & CEO, The Menninger Clinic
- Leah Davies
Project Manager, Strategic Health Alliance
- Colleen Davis
Assistant County Attorney, Burnet County Attorney’s Office
- Scott Ehlers
Special Counsel, Texas Indigent Defense Commission
- Lesli R. Fitzpatrick
Attorney, Law Office of Lesli R. Fitzpatrick
- Zachary Flores
Chief, Sherman Police Department
- Gilbert Gonzales
Director, Bexar County Department of Behavioral and Mental Health
- Jennings Greer
DBT Implementation Leader, Texas Juvenile Justice Department
- Krishnaveni Gundu
Co-Founder & Executive Director, Texas Jail Project
- Greg Hansch
Executive Director, NAMI Texas
- Hon. James Henderson
Judge, Grayson County Court of Law No. 1
- Elizabeth Henneke
Executive Director, Lone Star Justice Alliance
- Shannon Hoffman
Policy Program Specialist, Hogg Foundation for Mental Health
- Angelita Hunter
Municipal Court Supervisor, City of McKinney Municipal Court
- Trina K. Ita
Associate Commissioner, Medical & Social Services Division, Behavioral Health Services, Texas Health and Human Services Commission
- Lee Johnson
Deputy Director, Texas Council of Community Centers, Inc.
- Windy Johnson
Program Manager, Texas Conference of Urban Counties
- Louise Joy
Attorney, Joy & Young, L.L.P.
- Hon. Evelyn Keyes (Ret.)
Former Justice, First Court of Appeals
- Chris Lopez
Assistant General Counsel, State Hospital, Texas Health and Human Services Commission
- Mike Lozito
Judicial Services Director, Bexar County Office of County Manager
- Dr. Charles Mathias
Associate Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
- Hon. Lela Mays
Judge 283rd District Court
- Trish McAllister
Executive Director, Access to Justice Commission
- Joanna Mendez
Community Wellness Counselor, Refugee Services of Texas
- Hon. Kirk D. Noaker, Sr.
Magistrate Judge, Burnet County Magistrate's Office
- Hon. Rita Noel
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Grayson County
- Dr. Susan Palacios
Program Specialist, Texas Juvenile Department of Justice
- John Petrila
Senior Executive Vice President of Policy, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
- Hon. Daphne Previti-Austin
Former Judge, 289th Juvenile District Court, Law Office of Shawn C. Brown, P.C.
- Officer Terry Qualls
Crisis Intervention Coordinator, McKinney Police Department
- Janis Reinken
Former Chief Clerk, House Committee on Corrections
- Michelle Romero
Associate Director, Texas Medical Association
- Lt. Joe Ross
Deputy Mental Health Peace Officer, Grayson County Sheriff’s Office
- Rachel Samsel
Deputy Associate Commissioner for Strategic Initiatives & Policy - State Hospitals, Texas Health and Human Services Commission
- Melissa Schank
Executive Director, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Jonas Schwartz
Program Manager, Texas Workforce Commission
- Melissa Shearer
Director, Travis County Mental Health Public Defender's Office
- Dr. Jennie Simpson
Forensic Director, Texas Health and Human Services Commission
- Matt Smith
Assistant Executive Director/Director of Mental Health Services, Williamson County Juvenile Services
- Lt. Scott Soland
President, Texas CIT Association
- Gloria Terry
Chief Executive Officer, Texas Council on Family Violence
- Rick Thompson
Senior Legislative Manager, Texas Association of Counties
- Jennifer Toon
Mental Health Peer Policy Fellow, Coalition of Texans with Disabilities
- Haley Turner
Associate Commissioner for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Texas Health and Human Services
- Hon. Ryan Kellus Turner
Executive Director, Texas Municipal Court Education Center
- Sally Uncapher
Assistant District Attorney, Bexar County District Attorney's Office
- Hon. Grace Uzomba
Judge, Bexar County Court No. 2
- Julie Wayman
Mental and Behavioral Health Manager, Interagency Liaison, Texas Education Agency
- Nicole Weaver
YES Waiver Manager Mental Health Programs, Policy and Planning
- Thea Whalen
Executive Director, Texas Justice Courts Training Center
- Hon. Deborah Wigington
Judge, Comal County Court at Law #3
- Dennis Wilson
Retired Limestone County Sheriff and Past President, Sheriffs' Association of Texas
- Steve Wohleb
Senior Vice President/General Counsel, Texas Hospital Association
Membership as of April 2022.