The South Texas Family Support Conference Committee and the Mental Health Authorities of South Texas are pleased to announce the 18th Annual South Texas Family Support Conference, June 5-7, 2012, in Laredo, Texas.


This conference has been highly successful in providing information and education to consumers, families and the community about mental health and developmental disabilities. The MHMR system remains committed to providing quality mental health and developmental disability services in the South Texas region.

Our aim is to develop successful partnership to enhance the knowledge of mental health to consumers and families, to heighten community awareness of mental illness and developmental disability issues, and to assist consumers and families to identify effective resources and develop supports in their communities.

“Coma madre de una hija que tiene una enfermedad mental, esta conferencia me ayuda entender a mi hija y su enfermedad en un abiente sensitivo a mi cultura“.

Severa Alcocer, Kerrville Texas

Mission Statement

The South Texas Family Support Conference shall continue to strengthen families andindividuals awareness ofavailable behavioral healthcare services through culturallysensitive education, supports and partnerships.

Vision Statement

The South Texas Family Support Conference is a partnership of stakeholders dedicated to the empowerment of families andIndividuals with behavioral healthcare needs by providing information, support, andNetworking opportunities thatInspire hope for a brighter future.


Conference History


The South Texas Family Support Conference (STFSC), began as a diversity initiative consistent with the legacy TDMHMR mission, vision and goals. It has been successfully held since 1995 due to collaboration and commitment of the partners and stakeholders of each community to form a process to provide education to families and consumers throughout the region of South Texas.

This is the only bilingual conference available in South Texas specifically for family members and consumers to learn about mental health and developmental disability to enhance education, supports and partnerships.

This conference is unique in that it accommodates individuals’ financially unable to attend and benefit from such an event. Partners provide stipends for families and consumers to attend the conference. The goal of the conference is to provide culturally sensitive education on mental health and developmental disabilities, identify and promote supports, cultivate and foster partnerships and advocate for new programs in local communities.

Previous Conferences have been held in:

Corpus Christi, Texas1995

Laredo, Texas1996

San Antonio, Texas1997

McAllen, Texas1998

Kerrville, Texas1999

Victoria, Texas2000

Austin, Texas2001

Corpus Christi, Texas2002

Laredo, Texas2003

San Antonio, Texas2004

South Padre Island, Texas2005

Kerrville, Texas2006

Corpus Christi, Texas2007

Laredo, Texas2008

South Padre Island, Texas2009

Kerrville, Texas2010

Corpus Christi, Texas2011

Laredo, Texas2012

2012 Tentative Presentations

Initial Confirmed Presentations:

  • Depression: The Roots
  • Public Schools and the MHMR Student
  • Bi-polar Disorder: Different Ways of looking at It.
  • Youth with Complex. Behavioral Needs
  • Power of Words
  • Co-occurring Mental Health/ Substance Abuse Disorder
  • Peer Support for Recovery
  • Ask the Doctor/Nurse Specialist
  • Considersation in Commnunity Placement : how to Get There and Stay

Additional Presentations to follow.

STFSC Board of Directors

Daniel Castillon, Chairman

Border Region Community MHMR

Mark Cazalas, Vice Chairman/Secretary

Corpus Christi State Supported Living Center

Diane Lowrance,

Vice Chairman/Treasure

MHMR Center of Nueces County

Terry Crocker

Tropical Texas Behavioral Health

Linda Werlein,

Hill Country Community MHMR

Charles Sportsman

Coastal Plains Community MHMR

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

If you are interested in attending this year’s conference, please contact your local Mental Health Agency. Below are the listed participating agencies that can assist with further information.

Border Region MHMR

Community Center

Camino Real MHMR Center

Coastal Plains Community

MHMR Center

Corpus Christi State Supported

Living Center

Hill Country Community MHMR Center

MHMR Center of Nueces County


Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services

Texas Department of State
Health Services

Texas Health & Human Services Commission

Tropical Texas Center for MHMR

Rio Grande State Center

The Wood Group


If you are not affiliated with the listed agencies, and would like more information about registration please contact:

Martha Toles (830) 792-3300

The 18th Annual STFSC Conference will be held at:

Holiday Inn Civic Center

800 Garden Street

Laredo, Texas

956-727-5800

This hotel was selected for the 2010 STFSC. Rooms have been reserved for this conference. The hotel will not accept direct reservations.

For hotel accommodations, please contact your MHA representative or Martha Toles at 830-792-3300 or .