Bell County Diversion Center

Bell County purchased and renovated a 16-bed facility to establish the Bell County Diversion Center (BCDC) – a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to improving community mental health outcomes and reducing the incarceration rate of individuals with mental health illnesses. Set to open its doors in the Fall of 2024, the BCDC will provide triage, crisis residential treatment, and competency restoration services to individuals whose mental health illness is the primary cause of their justice involvement. The BCDC will primarily serve Bell County, Texas, as well as, neighboring Coryell, Hamilton, Lampasas, and Milam counties. The BCDC aims to improve capacity in the Bell County Jail and area emergency rooms, improve community mental health outcomes, and reduce the incarceration rate of individuals with mental health illnesses who commit low-level offenses. As such, the BCDC will offer a less restrictive environment that reduces low-level offense arrests and promotes long-term stability through skills training, medication management, supported housing and employment, and peer support services. Federal funding will be utilized to support the first four years of the BCDC’s operations, primarily for crisis respite, residential supervision, and security services. These services are anticipated to support up to 390 individuals with mental health illnesses annually.