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.
end
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 the remaining internal capabilities.
• Budget: HCPH will not require additional budget to transition HART operations.
Expected Impact:
Bringing the HART program operations in-house will give HCPH greater operational oversight and offer more flexibility to the County. Additionally, HCPH believes that managing this program internally (rather than through a third-party vendor) will enhance collaboration with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, EMS agencies, other HCPH divisions, and other partners.
Alternative Options:
Alternatively, the County could reject the request to cancel the current RFP process. Doing so would require an interruption of service as the current vendor stops service and a new vendor is onboarded. This option would result in less direct oversight and reduced collaboration.
Alignment with Goal(s):
X Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
X Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
_ Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
08/06/2024 |
24-4953 |
Court approval authorized the transition of software and facility management to HCPH while maintaining third-party vendor oversight for staffing and operations. |
|
06/04/2024 |
24-3516 |
Direct the Office of County Administration (OCA), in coordination with Harris County Public Health (HCPH) and other departments deemed relevant by the OCA, to develop a proposal to operate the HART program within a Harris County department or agency, to be submitted by July 15, 2024. The proposal shall include a detailed budget, action steps, and a timeline. |
Location:
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Countywide
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
Public Health Services |
|
|
|
Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
Existing Budget |
|
|
|
|
|
Choose an item. |
$2,621,911 |
$852,516 |
$3,474,427 |
$6,616,775 |
|
Total Current Budget |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
|
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Funding Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Request |
52 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
52 |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: 12/10/2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date):
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Lupe Washington, Director Community Health and Violence Prevention, Public Health Services
Attachments (if applicable): Updated HART Transition Proposal