Community leaders urge Travis County to keep Harvest Trauma Recovery Center funded

Speakers at the July 28 Travis County Commissioners Court public-comment session described the Harvest Trauma Recovery Center (HTRC) as an essential local trauma-response program and asked the court to consider a short-term county partnership to prevent the center from closing after Sept. 30. Michael Lofton, of the African American Youth Harvest Foundation, said staff met performance goals and audits and that abrupt notice of contract termination on June 30 left the center less than two months to raise more than $1.2 million. "We are reaching out to a number of individuals and just asking for your help, your continued support," Lofton said.

Other program staff and clients gave personal testimony on the HTRC's role. Dr. Calvin Kelly, chief clinical officer at the HTRC, framed the program as a public-health strategy: "The question is not whether Travis County needs the HTRC. The real question is what happens if Travis County no longer has the HTRC?" He warned that loss of the center could mean "more crisis, more violence, more school disruptions, more homelessness." Several mentors and clients recounted how early counseling or case management averted harm and helped people secure housing and jobs. The court did not take funding action at the meeting; public commenters asked staff and commissioners to explore options including a six- to twelve-month county partnership to buy time for the center to secure replacement funding.

The public-comment period was governed by the court's two-minute time limit for individuals. Commissioners acknowledged the testimony and asked that county staff follow up; no formal motion or county appropriation was made during this session. The HTRC speakers requested specific next steps: confirmation of any interim county funding, a clear point of contact at county staff, and timelines for decisions so the center can plan client care.