What We've Done
Rental/Utility Assistance Program
Debbie sponsored and received approval for a Rental/Utility Assistance Program from the Hays County Commissioners Court. The Court agreed to a $1 million grant with Blanco River Regional Recovery Team (B3RT) for citizens facing housing and utility challenges due to COVID-19, with Debbie’s contribution being $800,000 from her allocated American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds. This program helps eligible households in Hays, Caldwell, Blanco, and Guadalupe counties with rental and utility assistance, addressing issues like eviction, utility disconnection, or housing instability.
Magistration Divison
Debbie sponsored and received approval for the creation of a Magistration Division in Hays County, which serves both the District Courts and the County Courts at Law. The Magistration Division aims to improve efficiency and data collection by having dedicated magistrates available at all times.
Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Grant
Debbie successfully presented and gained approval for Hays County to accept a $126,722 grant from the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) for Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) activities in FY23. Hays County contributed $12,672 (10% of the grant). That marked the 5th year of funding to enhance public health preparedness, focusing on goals such as community preparedness, emergency information, and operations coordination. Hays County used various marketing strategies to inform the community on events and identify and assist vulnerable populations, including the elderly, non-English speakers, homeless individuals, and those with chronic conditions or mental illness.
Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute for Texas (MMHPI)
Debbie sponsored and successfully received approval for Hays County to enter a Professional Services Agreement with the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI). The agreement involves a Mental Health Needs Assessment for Hays County, and assessed mental health needs by collecting and analyzing data from various sources, gathering insights from citizens, individuals in the justice system, and healthcare professionals. The aim is to identify barriers to mental health care in Hays County and evaluate different ways to deliver mental health services. The services evaluated include preventative care, integrated behavioral health care, inpatient services, mental health education, patient navigation, case management, and transportation systems.
Rainbow Room Resolution
Debbie sponsored and successfully secured the approval of a resolution for a $100,000 contribution towards creating a “Rainbow Room.” This special facility, located in Precinct 1, addresses emergency needs of Hays County Child Protective Services (CPS) children and families. The Rainbow Room provides essential supplies for foster, relative, fictive, and adoptive families, ensuring a safe home for children in CPS care.
Combined Emergency Communications Center (CECC)
Debbie sponsored the approval of an Interlocal Agreement for the Operations and Maintenance of the Combined Emergency Communications Center (CECC) among Hays County, the City of Kyle, the City of Buda, and Texas State University. The CECC, funded through a 2016 public safety bond, aims to centralize emergency communication services for law enforcement agencies in Hays County. The collaboration enhances emergency services by facilitating faster responses based on available resources, irrespective of municipal and precinct boundaries.
Restorative Pathways, LLC MOU
Debbie sponsored the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Hays County Veterans Treatment Court and Restorative Pathways LLC. Restorative Pathways offers counseling and substance abuse group counseling services to veterans and their family members through a licensed clinical social worker.
Samaritan Center MOU
Debbie sponsored the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Hays County Veterans Service Office and Samaritan Center Counseling. The MOU enables Samaritan Center Counseling to offer free counseling services to individual veterans and their family members, with support from the Hays County Veterans Service Office. Samaritan Center will provide a counselor for individual and dependent counseling, and the Veterans Service Office will ensure the availability of space for veterans to meet with the Samaritan Center representative at no cost to Hays County.
Hays-Caldwell Women's Center (HCWC) Funding
Debbie sponsored the approval of a Funding Agreement between Hays County and the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center (HCWC). HCWC is building a transitional housing facility to support victims of violence, filling the gap between shelter living and securing permanent housing. The project prioritizes families with young children and includes head start and early head start programs, providing various apartment units.
Hays County Veterans Substance Abuse/Austin Recovery, Inc.
Debbie sponsored the approval of an agreement between Hays County and Austin Recovery Inc. to provide residential substance abuse treatment at the Austin Recovery-Hicks Family Ranch in Buda. The treatment facility offers short-term, intensive inpatient treatment for substance abuse, and grant funds cover all expenses for Hays County Veterans Treatment Court. The court will identify and refer veterans for treatment, manage the referral process, and pay for services promptly. Austin Recovery Inc. assesses clients, provides skilled counselors, offers collaborative treatment plans, and follows up with case management services.
Austin Vet Center Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Debbie sponsored the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Hays County Veteran Service Office and the Austin Vet Center. This MOU facilitates on-site counseling services for veterans at the Hays County Courthouse, enhancing support for veterans and expanding counseling accessibility in the area. The Austin Vet Center, specializing in counseling for combat veterans and survivors of military sexual trauma, will utilize the Hays County Veteran Service Officer as a community access point for counseling services.
I-35/Posey Road Interchange
Debbie led the way for the groundbreaking of a significant project at the I-35/Posey Road interchange. This $31.7M initiative spans 2.5 miles and involves the reconstruction of the overpass. The goal was to create a safer and smoother traffic flow.
Hay County Sidewalks to School Initiative (TxDOT) Grant
Debbie sponsored and received approval for a grant application for the Hays County Sidewalks to School Initiative from the Texas Department of Transportation. The goal was to make it safer and more appealing for kids to walk or bike to school. The grant covered planning, environmental documentation, and construction costs.
2019 Safe Routes to School (SRTS)
In April 2019, Debbie brought forward, and received approval by the Commissioners Court, a grant application for the Texas Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program. The application aimed to promote walking and biking to school for K-8th grad students. The proposed project included a shared-use path along Bebee Rd. and Dacy Ln. to serve Science Hall Elementary School, as well as sidewalks connecting various points in the vicinity. The goal was to enhance safety, reduce traffic, and encourage alternative transportation options for children.
Criminal District Attorney Hire
Debbie proposed and received approval for hiring new staff from the Hays County Commissioners Court. This includes two new lawyers, on legal assistant, one victim assistance coordinator, and one paralegal, along with the necessary equipment and expenses. (The victim assistance coordinator will provide specialized help to domestic violence victims, focusing on safety planning to protect them from harm. The lawyers and legal assistant will tackle existing criminal cases and prevent future backlogs. The paralegal will assist the DA in handling more cases of domestic violence and stalking.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds - Pre-Trial Diversion Office
Debbie proposed and secured approval to allocate American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for a Pre-Trial Diversion Office. This office aims to use funds to release individuals from custody before their trial, allowing plans approved by the courts.
Criminal Justice Pre-Filing Software module ($14,645)
Debbie was part of the agreement that brought a Criminal Justice Pre-Filing Software Module to the county, which eliminated some of the inefficiencies in the old system and has shortened the amount of time arrestees could spend in jail awaiting a court date. It helped file data efficiently and allocate caseloads equally among judges.
Hay County Jail Population Dashboard Launch
Debbie sponsored the launch of an online Jail Population Dashboard for Hays County. Developed in collaboration with the Vera Institute of Justice’s in Our Backyards Initiative, this dashboard provides real-time information on the jail population, breaking down data by charge, length of stay, race, gender, total bail amount, and age. This system is designed to help officials and community groups improve the local bond and pretrial system. The goal is to identify service gaps, address racial disparities, and reduce the number of people in jail for extended periods due to inability to pay bail. Instead, individuals with substance abuse or mental health issues can be directed to programs that ensure their return to family and work.