Department: Public Health Services
Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton, Interim Executive Director
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Discussion Item
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval to transition the Holistic Assistance Response Team (HART) to a fully in-house model.
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Background and Discussion:
The Holistic Assistance Response Team (HART) Program launched in March 2022 within Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) District 1 as an alternative response model for non-violent 911 calls. The program utilizes interdisciplinary, unarmed first responders with behavioral health and medical assistance training to handle non-violent incidents, allowing law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes.
- On June 4, 2024, Commissioners Court directed the Office of County Administration (OCA) to collaborate with Harris County Public Health (HCPH) and other relevant departments to develop a proposal for integrating the HART Program into a Harris County department or agency. This proposal, due by July 15, 2024, detailed the framework, timeline, activities, and costs for transitioning HART operations in-house under HCPH.
- On August 6th, 2024, Commissioners Court provided direction to transition the software and facility management to HCPH while the county pursued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new third-party vendor.
After evaluating the RFP and assessing options for accelerating the previously developed in-house proposal, HCPH has determined that the in-house program can be brought in-house more quickly than originally expected, operating at a limited capacity in Q1 of 2025 with ramp-up to follow.
HCPH recommends initiating activities to implement ...
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