Travis County, in collaboration with the city of Austin, Central Health, and Integral Care, has launched a new pilot program aimed at diverting individuals experiencing mental health crises away from jail and into therapeutic care environments. The Crisis Care Diversion pilot program, a $6 million investment split equally among the partners, offers 24/7 psychiatric emergency services and features a 25-bed residential therapeutic facility where individuals can stay for up to 90 days, as detailed by KVUE.
According to Travis County Judge Andy Brown, who spoke about the inspiration behind the initiative, the county jail currently doubles as the county’s largest mental health facility, a situation that warrants an urgent change. Brown highlighted that an estimated "70% of the people in there would not be in jail if they didn't have unmet mental health needs." Integral Care's Therapeutic Diversion Pilot Program intends to address this gap by offering a comprehensive response to mental health crises, an approach that was unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new 90-day therapeutic respite center, according to CBS Austin.
The program is not only expected to provide necessary treatment for the affected individuals but also aims to alleviate the burden on the justice system. As Daniel Smith, the director of Inmate Mental Health at the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, told KVUE, "it is not uncommon for us to see a person cycle in and out of jail six to eight times, or even up to 10 times a year." Smith noted that officers are adept at recognizing when someone requires treatment rather than incarceration, highlighting a past lack of alternatives besides jail for those in need.
Furthering this humanitarian approach, Mayor Kirk Watson spoke favorably of the program's community impact at a recent event stating, "You're doing right by the people." Travis County Commissioner for Precinct 3, Ann Howard, emphasized the collective goal of these agencies working together as a mandate from the community, aiming to deliver sufficient medical care to prevent vulnerable individuals from falling through the cracks. The ribbon cutting for the new therapeutic respite center occurred this Thursday, underscoring the county's commitment to the initiative with a joint investment of more than $23.7 million, incorporating contributions from several sources including the city of Austin and Integral Care, as per CBS Austin.
