The City Council is considering authorizing negotiations for a contract that includes allocating $2 million for a mental Health diversion pilot program. The pilot project aims to expand community services to address unmet deflection and diversion needs and provide individuals experiencing behavioral health crises with access to services. The program is expected to include 25 beds for participants.
Travis County has proposed allocating $1.2 million for the program, but the exact value of Integral Care’s emergency services program and its 15th Street crisis residential program is unclear. The lack of information has raised concerns among council members.
The pilot project will be housed in a building owned by the city, and questions have been raised about the rental value of the property and whether the city is receiving credit for its use.
Interim City Manager Jesús Garza emphasized the importance of negotiators recognizing the city’s need for significant input on various decisions, suggesting that the project should be treated as a joint venture. However, he expressed concern that the city is essentially paying for the program twice, as it is already providing funding to Travis County’s central booking facility.
The pilot project is intended to provide up to 90 days of care, after which individuals experiencing homelessness should be connected to stable exit options through housing-focused case management services. However, it is uncertain when the program will be ready to start on a long-term basis.
The lack of consistent access to places for individuals experiencing mental health crises has prompted the need for the pilot project, which aims to provide a way out for such individuals.
This topic is historic as it marks a significant step in addressing the critical issue of mental health diversion and provides insight into the challenges and complexities of funding and implementing such programs.
In conclusion, the pilot program represents an important initiative in addressing mental health crises in the community, but further negotiations and coordination among the partners are essential to ensure its success.
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