Primary Department: Public Health Services
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton, Interim Executive Director
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Position
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
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 38 positions effective January 11, 2025 to support the Holistic Assistance Response Team (HART) Expansion Strategy as part of the in-house transition 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.
Expected Impact:
Transitioning the HART program to an in-house operation with 38 new positions will significantly enhance HCPH's ability to deliver emergency response services for non-violent 911 calls. This structural change will provide HCPH with direct operational control and oversight, enabling more efficient resource allocation and program adaptability. By bringing these services in-house, HCPH will strengthen its partnerships with the Harris County Sheriff's Office, EMS agencies, and other divisions, leading to improved coordination and service delivery. This transition supports the program's core mission of providing specialized behavioral health and medical assistance while allowing law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes, ultimately creating a more effective emergency response system for Harris County residents.
Alternative Options: N/A
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): 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): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
12/10/2024 |
227 |
Approval of HART In-House Transition plan. |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Choose an item.
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
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|
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
Existing Budget |
|
|
|
|
|
1000 - General Fund |
$3,943,114 |
$ |
$3,943,114 |
$5,371,647 |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Existing Budget |
$3,943,114 |
$ |
$3,943,114 |
$5,371,647 |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
|
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$3,943,114 |
$ |
$3,943,114 |
$5,371,647 |
|
Grants - Proposed Budget (To be filled out by Grants staff only) |
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|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
No. of Grant Years |
|
Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Request |
38 |
- |
38 |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
38 |
- |
38 |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: 1/9/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 1/11/2025
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: James Dinkins, Chief People Officer; Guadalupe Washington, Community Health & Violence Prevention Director
Attachments (if applicable): 3441, Job Descriptions