The Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services have opened the Terrell Center for Youth, a specialized residential treatment facility built for adolescents with complex mental health, substance use or intellectual and developmental disability needs.
The two agencies celebrated the opening Aug. 20, according to an HHSC news release. The commission said the center increases access to intensive behavioral health treatment for foster care youth with the highest levels of need, providing care in what it described as a safe, structured setting.
Operated by HHSC, the facility will serve up to 30 youth ages 13 to 17 who are under DFPS conservatorship, the release said. Those youth often require a level of specialized care not widely available in traditional placement settings. By combining clinical treatment, behavioral health services and around-the-clock support, the commission said, the center is designed to tailor services to each resident while preparing them for successful long-term placements.
“Every child deserves access to the care and support they need to thrive,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in the release. “The Terrell Center for Youth will provide a safe place for young Texans to receive the help they need to overcome challenges and build a brighter future.”
HHS Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth credited state lawmakers with making the facility possible. “This center fills a critical gap in services, giving adolescents a safe place to heal, find stability, discover their strengths and take meaningful steps toward a brighter future,” Muth said in the release.
DFPS Commissioner Audrey O’Neill called the opening a significant milestone for the state’s foster care system, saying legislative investment and the work of foster care staff have reduced the number of children without placement. “But we know some youth in our conservatorship have behavioral health needs that only a highly skilled clinical provider can meet,” O’Neill said in the release.
Residents will receive instruction from the Terrell Independent School District and may take part in extracurricular activities including sports and school clubs, according to the release, which said the center will also focus on helping youth build the skills to lead a full and independent life. The 89th Texas Legislature appropriated $35.2 million for the center during the 2026-27 biennium.