Department: Commissioner, Precinct 4
Department Head/Elected Official: Lesley Briones
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Policy
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 by the Commissioner of Precinct 4 for approval to implement expansion of the Holistic Assistance Response Team (HART) program, as recommended by Harris County Public Health.
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Background and Discussion:
On March 14, 2023, Commissioners Court voted for Harris County Public Health (HCPH) to work with the Office of County Administration (OCA) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to create a plan and budget to maintain current operations of and expand the Holistic Assistance Response Team (HART) program. The existing HART program responds to non-violent emergency calls between 7am and 10pm in Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) District I.
Adoption of the proposed operational plan created by HCPH, in collaboration with OMB and OCA, would expand current operations to 24-hours and expand the HART program to HCSO District IV, beginning in FY23 using existing departmental funding. The HART program aims to reduce the burden of Law Enforcement in responding to non-violent 911 calls by diverting these calls to unarmed, specially trained personnel to provide a holistic service response addressing residents' full needs.
Expected Impact: Approval of HART expansion would allow HCPH to expand to 24-hour operations and implement HART in HCSO District IV.
Alternative Options: Failure to approve this item would result in no expansion of HART service to HCSO District IV and no expansion of operations to 24-hours a day.
Alignment with Goal(s):
X Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
X Public...
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