Primary Department: Purchasing
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Kimberly J. Williams, JD
Secondary Department: Public Health Services
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Renewal
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): 0%
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: Exempt - Interlocal/Cooperative Agreement
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable):
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Choose an item.
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of an interlocal renewal option with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston for Medical Director for the Holistic Alternative Response Team (HART) for Public Health Services for the period of January 23, 2026 - January 22, 2027 at a cost of $90,000, Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: Exempt - Interlocal/Cooperative Agreement.
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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.
HART transitioned fully in-house under Public Health Services (PHS) and re-launched January 27. 2025. PHS was certified as a EMS First Responder Organization (FRO) licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on June 11, 2025. The FRO requires a medical director to maintain compliance with the Texas EMS Rule 25 TAC 157.14. Additionally, the Medical Director provides oversight of Emergency Medica...
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