Primary Department: Sheriff
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Ed Gonzalez
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Interlocal Agreement
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Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
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Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request for approval of a joinder agreement amendments nos. 1-3 to the interlocal agreement with The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD to add the Veterans Services Department, Constables Offices 1-8, and the Fire Marshal’s Office as policing agencies to provide on-scene, virtual mental health assessments during police calls for service for the Clinician and Officer Remote Evaluation Program (CORE).
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Background and Discussion:
Since its launch, the program has grown into a countywide initiative, now including all eight Constable Precincts and the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, with Harris County Veteran Services added as a key resource to better support veterans in crisis. Given the program’s proven success and its vital role in bridging law enforcement and mental health response, we are requesting that this partnership be continued and renewed so that these essential services can remain available to our officers and the community they serve.
The Clinician and Officer Remote Evaluation (CORE) Program was fully implemented in 2020 by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD. The program was designed to bring mental health expertise directly to the scene of police calls for service by providing real-time, virtual assessments from licensed clinicians. This approach not only supports deputies and first responders in the field, but also ensures that individuals in crisis receive timely and appropriate care, reducing unnecessary arrests or hospital transports. Since its implementation, the CORE Program has expanded significantly across Harris County. Today, it includes participation from all eight Constable Precincts as well as the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, making it a truly countywide initiative. Most recently, Harris County Veteran Services has been added as a resource to strengthen the program’s ability to support veterans in crisis, ensuring they are connected with specialized care and services tailored to their unique needs.
Expected Impact:
The CORE Program is expected to make a meaningful difference for both law enforcement and the community by providing timely access to mental health professionals during critical incidents. For police, it reduces uncertainty in the field by offering immediate clinical guidance, helping officers make safer, more informed decisions. For the community, it means individuals in crisis are more likely to be connected with appropriate care rather than entering the criminal justice system unnecessarily. Overall, the program enhances safety, promotes trust, and supports more effective outcomes for everyone involved.
Alternative Options:
County Strategic Plan Goal: 4. Improve physical and mental health outcomes across all communities.
County Strategic Plan Objective: O: Increase access to quality health care, including preventive and behavioral health.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): B2: Increase law enforcement’s use of deflection and crisis co-response programs to address mental and behavioral health crisis situations and issues related to substance use, mental health, poverty, and homelessness.
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:
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Anticipated Court Date: 10/16/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Jose R. Gomez, Lieutenant, Harris County Sheriff’s Office
Attachments (if applicable): Joinder Agreement Amendments Nos. 1-3 to Interlocal Agreement between the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD Clinician and Officer Remote Evaluation Program (CORE)