Foundation Invests $6.2M in Texas Hill Country Mental Health

Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country is funding school counseling, grief support, and trauma services after recent floods.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Philanthropy

Foundation Invests $6.2M in Texas Hill Country Mental Health

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The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has invested more than $6.2 million to expand mental health care in the region. The investment includes school-based counseling, grief support, and trauma-informed services for residents affected by flooding.

Why it matters

A mental health needs assessment following the July 2025 floods identified gaps in local services and called for sustained investment and expanded access to care. Flooding struck many of the same communities again in July 2026, and emotional impacts are emerging over time.

The foundation's investments include $770,700 over three years for Kerrville ISD's REACH initiative, $360,000 for New Hope Counseling, and $340,000 for the Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas. Outcome data on how many residents these services will reach was not provided.

The players

Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country

A regional philanthropic organization that directs grants and investments toward community needs in the Texas Hill Country.

Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

A mental health policy research institute that partnered with the foundation to present the post-flood needs assessment.

H. E. Butt Foundation

A South Texas philanthropic foundation that partnered with the Community Foundation on the mental health needs assessment.

The details

Counseling is available at no cost to residents directly or indirectly affected by the floods. The foundation's partners are coordinating mental health resource navigation, trauma- and grief-informed training, community-based assistance, and confidential support for first responders.

July 2025: Initial flooding struck Texas Hill Country communities.
January 2026: Foundation presented mental health needs assessment findings.
July 2026: Flooding struck many of the same communities again.
November 9, 2026: Foundation announced the $6.2 million investment at a media briefing at Kerrville ISD.

Big Picture

The foundation's response follows the July 2025 Texas Hill Country floods, and the mental health investment extends recovery beyond physical rebuilding as the region faced renewed flooding in July 2026.

Residents directly or indirectly affected by the floods can access counseling at no cost. Wait times at New Hope Counseling were reduced to one to three days, making appointments faster to obtain.

The takeaway

Recovery from disasters often extends to mental health needs that emerge over time. Residents seeking support can look to local counseling providers and community partners for free and confidential help.