SAN ANTONIO — Uvalde County commissioners voted not to renew their contract for mental health services with the Ecumenical Center.
The organization has provided free support and therapy services to the community since the Robb Elementary mass shooting last year.
State and federal funds were being used to provide the counseling services and that money is set to expire next April. At a meeting earlier this week, Uvalde County District Attorney Christina Busbee recommended the court not renew the contract. She said in the meeting that these services could come from local clinicians and agencies.
State Senator Roland Gutierrez, who represents Uvalde urged Governor Abbott and state leaders to make mental health a priority.
“This is the kind of neglect of rural Texas that left Uvalde vulnerable in the first place. You can’t just pick up and leave because the pain is inconvenient. I urge the Governor and the leaders of this State to actually give a damn and put forward a real plan to help Uvalde heal, commit to action to never allow this to happen again, and put your money where your mouth is," Sen. Gutierrez said in the statement.
The Ecumenical Center also provided a statement in light of the news:
“Since being selected and contracted to establish and oversee the Uvalde Together Resiliency Center in June 2022, the Ecumenical Center's team of 25+ Texas-licensed trauma specialty professional counselors has conducted over 14,325 navigation and counseling sessions in English and Spanish, benefitting 5,260 individuals in the local community including children, adults, healthcare professionals, and first responders.
We are deeply honored and humbled to be a part of the healing journey of those affected by the tragic events that occurred at Robb Elementary in May 2022. We care deeply about the people of Uvalde and our commitment to them remains steadfast as we continue to serve and support them in the coming months.”