by Sahar Chmais
Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra is laying down the groundwork for constructing a a mental health hospital in Hays County.
Securing a mental health hospital within the county has been a project on Becerra’s priority list for a while, but after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, those plans were derailed. Becerra has been gathering information from field experts for several months to get the project started.
“A mental health hospital would support our health care system, our criminal justice system, economic development and ultimately, all residents of Hays County,” Becerra said.
Today will be a big day in the planning process; Becerra will meet with community leaders, mental health stakeholders from the Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Center and other county leaders who have a successful mental health hospital.
The judge will have more information on Monday, but these steps have brought him closer to actualizing his plan.
“My goal is to have a plan to present to the Commissioners Court and the public within a few weeks,” Becerra said.
