Primary Department: Public Health Services
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton - Interim Executive Director
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Policy
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request that the County Judge execute a letter of recognition supporting the Holistic Assistance Response Team (HART) program operating as an unaffiliated Basic Life Support First Responder Organization within Harris County.
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Background and Discussion:
The Holistic Assistance Response Team (HART) Program launched in March 2022 as an alternative 911 response model for non-violent calls to Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) emergency dispatch (EDC). The program utilizes interdisciplinary, unarmed first responders with psychosocial and medical assistance training to handle non-violent incidents, allowing law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes. On December 10, 2024, Commissioners Court approved a proposal to transition HART program operations to HCPH. On January 23, 2025, the Commissioners Court approved the interlocal agreement with UTHealth for a medical director for the HART program. On January 30, 2025, HCPH began delivering HART services with a fully internal team. As part of this transition, the HART program currently operates without a FRO license, prohibiting HART teams from providing basic life support EMT services. To provide these expanded services in the future, HCPH seeks recognition from DSHS as an unaffiliated Basic Life Support First Responder...
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