Detention Crisis Response Unit

The Harris County Jail serves approximately 10,000 incarcerated individuals, 80% of whom identify as having a mental health disorder or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder. The Harris County Sheriff's Office proposes the implementation of a Detention Crisis Response Unit Co-Responder Team comprised of a mental health clinician and a mental health detention officer to provide a multi-disciplinary, specialized response to mental health individuals experiencing psychiatric crisis within the Harris County Jail. This specialized co-responder team would provide timely crisis intervention that is trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and clinically appropriate for individuals who have mental health disorders, co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders and intellectual or developmental disabilities.
 

Project activities include crisis assessment and intervention, de-escalation, case management and support services, and collaboration with community justice partners to ensure an individual’s mental health is considered within the legal system. This specialized team will work collaboratively to de-escalate crises and reduce the need for further security involvement. The Detention Crisis Response Unit Co-Responder Team will manage a caseload of individuals who are high utilizers of the jail's mental health and crisis services by building positive relationships between law enforcement and the justice-involved community, ensuring mental health and security needs are met.

The Detention Crisis Response Unit Co-Responder Team qualifies for Priority Status consideration as the proposed project aligns with the Office of Justice Programs mission for the Connect and Protect Program by improving collaboration between law enforcement and mental health in order to improve responses and outcome for individuals with mental health disorders, co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, and intellectual or developmental disabilities who come into contact with law enforcement. The Harris County Sheriff's Office will be requesting priority consideration under Priority 1A and 1B. There are no planned conference activities for the recommended award.