Support Us Button Widget
City

Travis County to launch a pilot mental health diversion center

The county plans to move forward on the pilot center — which will be able to treat about 25 people — in the coming weeks.

January 16, 2024 • 
London Gibson
The Austin skyline, as seen from Lady Bird Lake

Travis County plans to establish a permanent mental health diversion center in the Austin area by 2030.

Photo by ATXtoday

Travis County is one step closer to testing out a mental health diversion center in Austin.

The vision for this center is to provide an option for people who are in need of acute mental health assistance that isn’t jail or the emergency room. The pilot center is expected to move forward in the coming weeks, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

At the pilot center, ~25 people at a time could receive medication, treatment, counseling, and other resources for roughly two weeks at a time. Eligibility is still being workshopped.

The pilot program is expected to cost ~$12 million and operate out of existing buildings. The permanent facility, which was approved last year, isn’t expected to be up and running for at least five years.

Learn more about mental health planning in Travis County.

More from ATXtoday
Matthew McConaughey wears a plaid red suit in front of a wall for the Washington Commanders.
Sports
A brief history of Austin celebrity Super Bowl commercial appearances
As you watch Super Bowl LIX, keep watch for a few familiar, local faces that will make a cameo during the commercials.
February 4, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A table set at an outdoor restaurant with a bowl of whipped cheese topped with diced tomatoes, herbs, and nuts, accompanied by pieces of toasted flatbread. Three cocktails are in the background: a pale yellow drink in a wine glass with a sprig of thyme, a dark espresso martini in a coupe glass, and a pink beverage in a tall glass with a black straw. The setting features wicker chairs, a potted plant, and natural light streaming through open windows.
Play
40 great brunch restaurants to try in Austin
Check out these brunch restaurants, cafes, and diners in town, serving a variety of egg dishes, mimosas, micheladas, and more.
February 4, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Homes in the hillside in Austin, Texas. Numerous homes sit atop the hill, which is covered in green and barren trees.
Real Estate
4 things to know about Austin’s housing market in 2025
From high mortgage rates to increased inventory, here’s what buyers and sellers should expect in the Capital City this year.
February 3, 2025
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
TodaysBest-NominationsOpen-Hero_ATX.png
City
Spread the local love with ATXtoday’s Best
Make your voice heard, nominate your favorite local biz and they could win ATXtoday’s Best Competition.
February 3, 2025
 · 
Staff
A view of the court from the audience, showing a packed stadium.
Sports
Spurs Week returns to Austin for the third year
Games, prizes, block parties, and of course, basketball, await you at the San Antonio Spurs’ annual Austin takeover.
January 31, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Rendering of an airport terminal expansion at dusk, with multiple American Airlines planes parked at gates and a United Airlines plane taxiing in the background. The modern terminal building has large glass windows, an elevated walkway, and a well-lit interior. The city skyline is visible in the distance under a twilight sky, with airport ground vehicles and workers scattered across the tarmac.
City
Breaking down Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s expansion
Here’s what AUS officials had to say about the airport expansion’s key projects, timeline, sustainability efforts, and impact on travelers.
January 30, 2025
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
A vibrant outdoor Lunar New Year celebration featuring a lion dance performance. Performers in a bright orange lion costume balance atop a human pyramid, with colorful confetti filling the air. The crowd, including families and spectators, watches excitedly, many capturing the moment on their phones. Additional lion dancers in blue, pink, and yellow costumes add to the festive atmosphere, set against a modern urban backdrop with a parking garage and market-style buildings.
Culture
Lunar New Year celebrations in Austin
Ring in the Year of the Snake with festivals, lion and dragon dances, vendor markets, and brewery parties.
January 30, 2025
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
A spread of sashimi dishes from above on a dark wooden table, surrounded by cocktails, beer, a glass of wine, dishes of soy sauce and plates with chopsticks on top.
Food
23 places to get sushi in the Austin area
Whether you’re looking for omakase, sake pairings, a sushi conveyor belt, a whimsical interior, or an “Ahi Tower,” we’ve got the restaurant for you.
January 29, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A group of people crowded around a small pen for Armadillo Day
History
You’ve heard of Groundhog Day — but what about Armadillo Day?
We do things a little differently in the Lone Star State.
January 29, 2025
 · 
London Gibson
Futuristic cityscape with sleek, modern skyscrapers and a network of waterways running through the urban environment. A futuristic flying vehicle, resembling a white pod with a black dome, hovers over the water, near a multi-lane bridge with cars. Boats navigate the waterways below, surrounded by lush greenery and reflective architecture. The scene is bathed in soft daylight, blending advanced technology with natural elements.
Culture
What will Austin, Texas be like in the 22nd century?
We asked ChatGPT to predict Austin’s future — here’s what the chatbot sees in its crystal ball.
January 28, 2025
 · 
Morgan O’Neal