Long-Term Planning Committee

The Long-Term Planning Committee focuses on long-term goal setting and offering input on possible new Judicial Commission on Mental Health (JCMH) projects. It is chaired by Judge John Specia. In 2022, the Committee met to discuss JCMH goals and had many suggestions to steer the work of the commission moving forward. A new strategic plan was published in 2023.  

• Hon. John J. Specia, Jr., Chair
  Fmr. Judge, JCMH Jurist-in-Residence
• Hon. Devon Anderson
  President and CEO, Justice Forward
• Hon. Renee Rodriguez-Betancourt
  Judge, 449th District Court, Hidalgo County
• Hon. Bill Boyce
  Partner, Alexander Dubose Jefferson
  Justice, 14th Court of Appeals (Fmr.)
• Hon. Nelda Cacciotti
  Assistant Criminal District Attorney, Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office
• Hon. Brent Carr
  Judge, Tarrant County Criminal Court No. 9
• Dr. Courtney Harvey
  Chief of Government Relations, Texas Council of Community Centers
• Hon. Oscar Kazen
  Judge, Bexar County Probate Court No. 1
• Adrienne Kennedy
  Former President, NAMI
• Megan LaVoie
  Administrative Director, Texas Office of Court Administration
• Hon. Elizabeth Leonard
  Judge, 238th District Court, Midland County
• Hon. Pam Liston
  Senior Attorney, Messer Fort, PLLC
• Dr. Octavio Martinez, M.D.
  Executive Director, Hogg Foundation for Mental Health
• Denise Oncken
  Bureau Chief, Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Mental Health Bureau
• Dr. Jennie Simpson
  Forensic Director, HHSC

Updated November 2025