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.
end
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 Medical Technicians (EMT) and all aspects of operations, policy and protocol development, implementation, and training, management, and audit of care services germane to HART.
Entering into an interlocal agreement (ILA) with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health) will enable Harris County to expedite the hiring of the MD and accelerate operations of HART in-house.
Expected Impact:
The renewal will allow PHS to maintain compliance with DHSH and continue operating the Holistic Assistance Response Team (HART) as the fourth response model in the County responding exclusively to non-violent, non-threatening calls to HSCO Emergency Dispatch Center.
Alternative Options:
If Commissioners Court chooses not to approve this renewal PHS will be unable to maintain compliance with State requirements for the FRO including the provision of medical services.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: B: Reduce criminal legal system exposure that does not advance public safety.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): B1: Increase the use of effective and efficient deflection responses using non-criminal justice resources for non-violent behaviors, particularly those primarily related to substance use, mental health, poverty, and homelessness.B1
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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01/23/2025 |
131 |
Request to execute an interlocal agreement |
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Location: N/A
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Choose an item.
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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1000 - General Fund |
$ |
$ |
$90,000 |
$90,000 |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Existing Budget |
$ |
$ |
$90,000 |
$90,000 |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Funding Sources |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
No. of Grant Years |
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Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Total Personnel |
- |
- |
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Anticipated Court Date: 10/30/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Choose an item.
Contact(s) name, title, department: Lupe M. Washington, Director, CHVPS, HCPH; Dr. Larry D. Brown Jr., Associate Director, CHVPS, HCPH; Jessica Barelas, Contract Manager, Purchasing
Attachments (if applicable): Letter