Legislation Details

File #: 24-0280    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Position Status: Passed
File created: 1/3/2024 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 1/9/2024 Final action: 1/9/2024
Title: Request for approval of a position effective January 13, 2024 to support the newly created Mental Health Unit in the Juvenile Detention Center.

Department: Juvenile Probation

Department Head/Elected Official: Henry Gonzales

 

Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA

Type of Request: Position

 

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 of a position effective January 13, 2024 to support the newly created Mental Health Unit in the Juvenile Detention Center.

end

 

Background and Discussion:

 

The Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) often works with youth that have significant mental health problems. In recent years, HCJPD had a contract with the Harris County Psychiatric Center (HCPC) to provide residential placement for youth needing the most psychiatric and psychological intervention. However, due to necessary budget cuts, the contract ended in October, 2023. These youth have been returned to HCJPD’s detention center.  In order to effectively meet the psychological needs of these youth, HCJPD will need to expand the number of therapists in the detention center.  HCJPD is in the process of creating a mental health unit, which will provide the additional support and resources required to meet the needs of working with this more vulnerable population.  

 

Expected Impact:

 

This much needed therapist position will work exclusively in the mental health unit.  Without the additional therapeutic services afforded to these youth, they are at risk to clinically deteriorate, and if clinical intervention is not possible with the assistance of the therapist, hospitalization would likely result for stabilization purposes. Funds previously used to pay for the HCPC contract, that has since been cancelled, will cover the cost of the position for FY24 and beyond.

 

Alternative Options:

 

There is no alternative at this time.

 

Alignment with Goal(s):

X Justice and Safety

_ Economic Opportunity

_ Housing

_ Public Health

_ Transportation

_ Flooding

_ Environment

_ Governance and Customer Service

 

Prior Court Action (if any): N/A

Date

Agenda Item #

Action Taken

 

 

 

 

Location:

Address (if applicable): 1200 Congress, Houston, Texas 77002

Precinct(s): Countywide

 

Fiscal and Personnel Summary

Service Name

Detention Mental Health Unit - Position Request

 

FY 24

FY 25

Next 3 FYs

Incremental Expenditures (do NOT write values in thousands or millions)

Labor Expenditures

$79,331.22

$105,775.05

$317,325.15

Non-Labor Expenditures

$

$

$

Total Incremental Expenditures

$79,331.22

$105,775.05

$317,325.15

Funding Sources (do NOT write values in thousands or millions)

Existing Budget

1000 - General Fund

$79,331.22

$105,775.05

$317,325.15

Choose an item.

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

Total Current Budget

$79,331.22

$105,775.05

$317,325.15

Additional Budget Requested

Choose an item.

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

Total Additional Budget Requested

$

$

$

Total Funding Sources

$79,331.22

$105,775.05

$317,325.15

Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs)

Current Position Count for Service

-

1

1

Additional Positions Requested

1

-

-

Total Personnel

1

1

1

 

Anticipated Court Date: January 9, 2024

Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date):  January 13, 2024

Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item

Contact(s) name, title, department: Kelly Barron, Special Projects Coordinator, Juvenile Probation Department

Attachments (if applicable): N/A