Important Information

  Notice Regarding Records Requests Containing Protected Health Information

For clients seeking copies of their records:
• If you are represented by an attorney: Please have your attorney submit a written request to my office using one of the contact methods provided.
• If you are representing yourself: Please send your written request through the same contact options.

Additional resources:
• Contact information for Health Care Regulation (HCR) staff: Texas HHS – HCR Program Staff
• Office of the Attorney General’s Health Care Consumer Protection website: Texas Attorney General – Health Care Consumer Protection

The required Child Custody Evaluation Training on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, presented by Dr. Sandra Roland on January 9 from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. This training is truly outstanding—not only for Child Custody Evaluators, but also for Parenting Facilitators, therapists, and anyone working with court‑involved families. I strongly encourage you to attend; it’s an excellent opportunity to deepen your knowledge and strengthen your practice. You can register for this training on our website at Texas Chapter AFCC.

We also have a full slate of additional webinars planned for 2026. Several are already in development, and I think you’ll find them both practical and energizing. Please keep an eye out for announcements in the coming weeks.

And last, but certainly not least, I’m thrilled to share that our inaugural Texas AAML–AFCC Innovations in Child Custody Conference will take place in Austin on September 17–18, 2026. This first‑ever joint conference brings together two leading organizations in the field: the Texas Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)—recognized for its excellence in family law practice—and the Texas Chapter of AFCC, known for its interdisciplinary leadership in work with court‑involved families.

By joining forces, this conference will offer something truly unique: a space where attorneys, judges, and mental health professionals can learn together, engage in candid conversations about the most challenging and controversial issues in child custody work, and explore innovative approaches that strengthen both practice and outcomes for families. You can expect dynamic speakers, cross‑disciplinary panels, and practical sessions designed to spark new thinking and deepen collaboration across our professions.

  Proposed BHEC Rule Changes – Public Comments Requested

The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council has updated its Proposed Rule Changes webpage, where the public can review proposed rules and submit comments. There are a number of significant changes that affect mental health professionals, and I encourage you to take the time to review these changes and submit public comments if you see fit.

The deadline for public comment is 5:00 p.m. on January 11, 2026.

These proposed rules have the potential to shape our day‑to‑day work, our ethical obligations, and the expectations placed on us by both the public and the courts. Public comments are one of the few opportunities we have to ensure that the voices of practicing professionals—those who understand the realities of clinical work, forensic practice, and the needs of families—are part of the rulemaking process.

Thoughtful feedback from the field helps BHEC identify unintended consequences, clarify ambiguous language, and strengthen rules in ways that ultimately protect the public while supporting competent, ethical practice. Even brief comments can make a meaningful difference.

As stated, these changes may significantly affect our work, so I encourage all members to review and respond.

  Important Correction for Child Custody Evaluators

I also want to provide an important clarification for our Child Custody Evaluators regarding information shared during the Legislative Update on December 9, 2025. At that time, we informed evaluators that they could request a waiver of the requirement to redact all Social Security numbers and children’s dates of birth in records submitted to the court and/or the attorneys of record.

With the most recent recommended rule changes issued by BHEC, this waiver option will no longer be available should this rule pass. Under the updated recommendations, evaluators will be required to redact all Social Security numbers and all children’s dates of birth without exception.

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!