The impact of childhood trauma is a critical public health crisis. In Texas, a powerful collaborative effort has been established to combat it: the Texas Childhood Trauma Research Network (TX-CTRN).
Created by the 86th Texas Legislature as the research arm of the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium (TCMHCC), the TX-CTRN unites the state’s leading health-related institutions to address the urgent mental health challenges faced by its youth. The network is not just an academic endeavor; it’s a vital, coordinated effort to transform the care system for our children who have experienced traumatic events.
January–May — The 86th Texas Legislature convenes, with school safety and mental health as legislative priorities.
March — Senate Bill 11 (SB11), focused on school safety and mental health, is introduced in the Texas Senate.
May 21 — SB11 passes in the Texas Senate.
May 22 — SB11 passes in the Texas House of Representatives.
June 6 — Governor Greg Abbott signs SB11 into law.
September 1 — SB11 officially takes effect, mandating new requirements for school safety, mental health support, and trauma-informed care in Texas public schools.
Early 2020 — Planning begins for statewide initiatives to address childhood trauma, in response to SB11’s requirements for trauma-informed practices.
September — The Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium (TCMHCC) is established as part of SB11. The Texas Childhood Trauma Research Network (TX-CTRN) is conceptualized as a collaborative effort among Texas academic health institutions as the research arm of the TCMHCC.
January — The TX-CTRN officially launches, bringing together researchers, clinicians, and community partners to advance trauma-informed care and research across Texas.
Throughout 2021 — TX-CTRN initiates pilot projects, research studies, and training programs to support trauma-informed practices in schools and healthcare settings.
TX-CTRN continues to expand its research, training, and outreach efforts, supporting the implementation of trauma-informed care in alignment with SB11’s mandates and improving outcomes for children affected by trauma across Texas.
Our primary mission is to improve mental health services to produce positive long-term outcomes for Texas children and adolescents affected by trauma. We pursue this mission through three goals:
