Fort Bend County Libraries Receives $46,000 Grant to Expand Mental Health Resources and Community Support

For Fort Bend County residents looking for trustworthy mental health information or help finding local support, a familiar community resource could soon have even more to offer. Fort Bend County Libraries has received a $46,000 grant from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, opening the door to new educational programs, wellness activities and partnerships designed to make mental health resources more accessible throughout the county.

The two-year grant will support a countywide initiative aimed at helping residents better understand mental health, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health challenges and find reliable information about available support services. For families and individuals in Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Sugar Land, Missouri City and surrounding Fort Bend County communities, the effort could make it easier to take that first step toward finding information or assistance without having to navigate unfamiliar resources alone.

The funding is part of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health's Libraries Supporting Community Mental Health initiative, which awarded a combined $598,000 to 13 public libraries across Texas. Each participating library will receive $46,000 over a two-year period that began November 1, 2026, and runs through October 31, 2028.

Fort Bend County Libraries Plans Countywide Mental Health Education and Outreach

Fort Bend County Libraries will use the funding to develop Mental Health Matters: Empowering Fort Bend Residents Through Library Services and Partnerships, an initiative that brings together educational opportunities, community wellness activities and local organizations already working to support residents' well-being.

The library system's Special Projects Department will lead the effort in collaboration with Fort Bend County Health and Human Services, Fort Bend County Behavioral Health Services and Fort Bend County AgriLife Extension.

“The primary purpose of our project, Mental Health Matters: Empowering Fort Bend Residents Through Library Services and Partnerships, is to increase mental health awareness, strengthen community well-being, reduce stigma, and connect Fort Bend County residents with reliable mental health information and local support services,” the department shared.

The initiative is expected to include mental health education programs, community outreach, wellness activities, staff training and partnerships with organizations that can help connect residents to local resources.

“To achieve these goals, Fort Bend County Libraries will implement a countywide initiative that includes educational programs, community outreach, wellness activities, staff training, and partnerships with local organizations. Through these collaborative efforts, we hope to position the library as an accessible and welcoming resource for mental health education, awareness, and community support.”

The emphasis on partnerships is an important part of the effort. Rather than expecting residents to know which agency or organization to contact when questions arise, the project is designed to help libraries become another connection point between the public and existing community services.

For someone searching for information about emotional wellness, a family member's mental health needs or available support programs, knowing where to begin can make a meaningful difference.

Why Public Libraries Are Becoming Important Mental Health Resources

Libraries have long been places where residents can find answers, learn something new and connect with their communities. The Hogg Foundation's latest initiative builds on that role by recognizing how public libraries can help make mental health information more approachable.

Rick Ybarra, senior program officer for the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, noted that public libraries are “increasingly evolving beyond their traditional role as caretakers and lenders of books.”

“Because they are trusted, low-barrier institutions, many libraries now also serve as community resource centers to offer information, programs, resources, and foster social connections,” Ybarra said.

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“This exciting project is focused on supporting libraries to build up and build out mental health information, education, resources, and support to improve community mental health and well-being.”

That approach has particular relevance in Fort Bend County, where library branches already serve residents across communities including Cinco Ranch, Fulshear, Richmond, Stafford, Sugar Land, Missouri City and Needville.

Many residents know their local library as a place to take children for story time, use computers, attend educational programs or simply enjoy a quiet afternoon. Expanding access to mental health education within those familiar settings could help residents explore sensitive subjects in an environment they already know.

The initiative also reflects the library system's long history of responding to community needs. Fort Bend County Libraries traces its beginnings to 1947, when a group of local residents successfully petitioned county commissioners to establish a public library. Nearly eight decades later, the system continues to evolve alongside the communities it serves.

Hogg Foundation Invests $598,000 in Mental Health Support Across Texas

The Fort Bend County grant is one part of a broader statewide investment by the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, which was established in 1940 at The University of Texas at Austin by the children of former Texas Governor James Hogg.

The foundation has spent decades supporting efforts to strengthen mental health and well-being in Texas, with an emphasis on community-based resources, education and collaboration.

Its Libraries Supporting Community Mental Health initiative seeks to strengthen existing partnerships while establishing new connections that can help residents access information, educational opportunities and services.

“The Libraries Supporting Mental Health Initiative will unlock new opportunities for local partners to share ownership in strengthening mental health, education, and supports to the communities they serve,” said Vicky Coffee, director of foundation initiatives.

In addition to Fort Bend County Libraries, the 12 other Texas grantees are Alice Salinas City of Alice Public Library, Allan Shivers Library and Museum, Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library, Comanche Public Library, Dickinson Public Library, Friends of the Pottsboro Area Library, Hewitt Public Library, Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center, Montgomery County Memorial Library System Central Branch, Pharr Memorial Library, Sgt. Fernando de la Rosa Memorial Library and Taft Public Library.

The participating libraries will have opportunities to learn from one another as they develop mental health education and community support programs suited to their individual communities.

The Hogg Foundation will host a learning community where grantee partners can exchange ideas, strategies, resources and lessons learned throughout the initiative.

Clover Educational Consulting Group, an independent advisor, will also provide technical assistance to help libraries evaluate their programs, measure progress and identify opportunities for continued improvement.

“Overall, this grant initiative aims to foster lifelong learning and strengthen social ties, ultimately enhancing mental health, well-being, and the quality of life within communities across Texas,” said Dr. Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., executive director of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health.

What the Mental Health Grant Means for Fort Bend County Residents

While the grant has been awarded and the two-year funding period is underway, Fort Bend County Libraries has not yet announced a complete public schedule identifying specific program dates, participating branches or registration details.

As the initiative develops, residents can watch for opportunities involving mental health awareness, wellness education, community outreach and connections to local support organizations.

The new programming is intended to complement existing mental health services by improving public education and access to information, rather than replacing professional mental health care.

For parents, caregivers, older adults and anyone interested in learning more about emotional well-being, the grant represents an investment in making community resources easier to discover and understand.

It also opens opportunities for local organizations to work together in ways that may benefit residents well beyond a single class or event.

Residents interested in upcoming programs can visit Fort Bend County Libraries to explore library locations, community events and future announcements related to the Mental Health Matters initiative.

At its heart, the project reflects a straightforward idea: a stronger community is one where people know where to turn for trustworthy information and support. By building on the relationships residents already have with their local libraries, Fort Bend County hopes to make those connections a little easier to find.

Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for updates on new Fort Bend County Libraries programs, mental health resources and community initiatives that support the health and well-being of local families.