Our Projects
From the Gulf Coast to West Texas and from the Rio Grande Valley to the Panhandle, The Meadows Institute is helping communities and organizations improve services and systems of care that make mental health and substance use treatment better in a myriad of ways. Each of these projects represents a step forward in making Texas a national leader in mental health care.
Projects list
Rio Grande Valley Behavioral Health System Strengths and Needs Assessment
SUMMARY – Beginning in October 2024, the Meadows Institute conducted a community mental health strength and needs assessment covering the counties the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation (VBLF) serves – Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy. This report summarizes the findings of the assessment and provides data-driven and actionable recommendations for sustaining an ideal mental health system in the region.
Okay to Say® Public Awareness Campaign
SUMMARY — The Okay to Say® campaign was launched in 2016 by the Meadows Institute under the leadership of Tom Luce, our founding president and CEO, to encourage those living with mental illness to foster a personal support network and provide guidance for loved ones offering support.
Learning from Persons with Lived Experience in 911 Crisis Response
To better understand how people experiencing a mental health crisis may want to engage with 911 and other crisis response services, the Meadows Institute and Fountain House partnered to conduct interviews with people living with serious mental illness.
Kerr County’s Rapid Mental Health Needs Assessment
SUMMARY – In the devastating aftermath of the July 4, 2025, floods, Kerr County and other affected Hill County communities faced urgent and emerging mental health needs. Neighbors, first responders, faith leaders, schools, clinicians, and volunteers stepped forward immediately, reflecting the community’s extraordinary compassion and strength. But the scale of trauma and grief also required clear guidance for where additional support could make the greatest difference.
The Meadows Institute, with the generous support of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and the H.E. Butt Foundation, conducted a rapid mental health needs assessment to identify clear, actionable recommendations for philanthropic investment, including trauma and grief training needs. The final document offers a practical framework to help guide near-term investments that support recovery, expand access to care, and strengthen the community’s long-term resilience.