San Antonio, county moves toward jail diversion center; City Council approves funding for feasibility study

The creation of the diversion center will be based upon a study by Alexander Testa, the research and consultant leading study, which will collect operational standards and workflows from diversion centers in other counties, such as Harris, Tarrant and Dallas counties, and use the information to develop a model tailored to Bexar County’s needs. Testa’s team will give regular reports to the ad hoc committee, city documents state. The study will also create a schedule and implementation framework for the center.

District 5 council member Teri Castillo said the diversion center will create better pathways for low-level offenders.

"It's that aftercare component in the case management piece that's going to ensure that folks do not re-offend and we don't see them in the same cycle,” Castillo said.

San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said creating a center was critical for the well-being of residents.

“I think something needs to be done. And ... something like this is probably long overdue,” McManus said.

The Diversion Center will:

• Provide an alternative to jail
• Offer a therapeutic drop-off site for adults who encounter law enforcement
• Provide treatments for low-level misdemeanors who have behavioral health needs
• Create a person-centered and trauma-informed approach to care
• Have a focus on stabilization, psychosocial services, prevention of relapse and recovery

According to the presentation, around 80-100 people are booked per day with mental health and substance use issues who have been arrested for criminal trespassing, with 46% of these admissions being people experiencing homelessness.

Additionally, the center will also fill a need for psychiatric inpatient beds after the region lost 50 beds with the closure of Texas Vista Medical Center.

District 1 council member Sukh Kaur said that the goal of creating a center that has the capability to expand is critical to providing proper services to those in need.

“The more investment that you put in, the more supports that you're able to provide, the more that you're going to be able to accomplish,” Kaur said.

Diversion Center goals:

• Minimize law enforcement time with individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis
• Provide a short-term residential treatment program, with stays of up to 14 days for eligible individuals
• Reduce overcrowding in the jail
• Reduce unnecessary emergency room visits
• Stabilize individuals for out-patient treatment
• Contribute to better health outcomes and extends life expectancy
• Create a permanent aftercare and housing pipeline

Looking ahead

The ad hoc committee will be formed during the study, so it can receive regular reports and help shape the project with recommendations for location, criteria for admission, housing, aftercare, equity and bed count.