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About Us

Central Texas African American Family Support Conference

The inaugural Central Texas African American Family Support conference, held in November 2000, was the first conference in Texas and only the third in the United States to focus on the healthcare needs of African Americans. The conference was born from a desire to confront the systems and cultural bias that have resulted in African Americans facing barriers to health care access. Tools and resources that build well-being have often been out of reach for the black community. The belief that when people have a strong foundation of physical and mental health, they can reach their full potential drove the creation of the conference. Read more about the history of CTAAFSC.

The conference is hosted by Integral Care, the Local Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority for Travis County. The Conference Planning Committee is a diverse group of mostly African American health professionals, advocates and people with lived experience of mental health challenges. Our sponsors are public and private community partners. The conference supports the African American community and embraces all members of the community regardless of race.

The conference provides opportunities to learn more about mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, substance use disorder and physical health challenges and solutions. It’s a place to discover health services and how to help yourself and others get the care you need.

Register for the 2023 Conference

We Come Together

To promote our own health and wellness and that of our community. The conference is filled with the most current information on mental health, substance use disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities, led by caring health experts and people with their own lived experiences with these conditions. With interactive workshops and inspirational speakers, we share our stories, expand our knowledge, and connect with support and resources to live healthier, more resilient lives.

We Explore

How race, social conditions and economic status affects what diseases and conditions we struggle with. We explore how those factors affect our experience with health care and what we can do as individuals and as a community to address these challenges. This conference is an opportunity for us to reduce stigma and confront bias while increasing access to care. We come together to lift one another up and move towards a healthier future. Because, when people have a strong foundation of physical and mental health, they can reach their full potential.

The Conference

Provides opportunities to learn more about mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, substance use disorder and physical health challenges and solutions. It’s a place to discover health services and how to help yourself and others get the care you need.

Past Conferences

Ongoing Support Throughout the Year

Throughout the year, we host the #TOGETHERWEWILLHEAL forum for continuing the conversation around mental health support for the African American community. Check out an upcoming forum today!