About the program
In August, the FBCSO launched the Crisis Call Diversion Program, a pilot initiative to provide professional mental health support for individuals or family members in crisis, especially those in situations that are not life-threatening, per the release.
The program offers immediate assistance for individuals who call 911 for mental health support, with the goal of diverting low-risk mental health crisis calls away from law enforcement intervention, according to the release. In cases of emergencies, crisis calls are dispatched to first responders.
The grant will go toward funding two full-time positions and one part-time position, FBCSO officials said in an emailed statement.
The sheriff’s office collaborated with the Houston Police Dispatch Center to review its framework and learn how to create a similar program tailored to the needs of Fort Bend County, according to the release.
Teams from Texana, the local mental health authority, and the FBCSO analyzed data to identify low-risk calls suitable for behavioral health professionals to handle, according to the release. The data was provided by:
- FBCSO’s dispatch center
- FBCSO’s Crisis Intervention Team
- Fort Bend County Behavioral Health Department
Here are the numbers from 2023 showing how the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office and its Crisis Intervention Team handled mental health crises, FBCSO officials said in an emailed statement:
- 6,916 total mental health-related calls
- 3,746 calls responded to by Crisis Intervention Team
- 2,479 Crisis Intervention Team contacts with people needing help
- 1,828 people receiving crisis intervention or follow-up by Crisis Intervention Team
Key players
Texana partnered with the sheriff’s office to help establish the program, according to the release.
The health authority provides trained personnel for the program, bringing over 20 years of experience in mental health services, including:
- Applied suicide intervention
- Crisis intervention
- Coping skills training
"The [Crisis Call Diversion Program] exemplifies our commitment to community well-being, demonstrating that through collaboration and innovation, we can provide enhanced and compassionate support to those navigating mental health crises," Sheriff Eric Fagan said in the release. "Together, we forge a path towards a safer, more resilient Fort Bend County."
Once the funding ends, the FBCSO intends to continue collaborating with Texana to evaluate the program and then explore further funding options.