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WHEREAS the mental health and welfare of children and adults in crisis in the
WHEREAS for these purposes the region is served by the Gulf Bend Center, which
is lawfully designated by the Executive Commissioner for the Texas Health and Human
Services Commission as the Local Mental Health Authority for Calhoun, DeWitt, Goliad,
WHEREAS the Local Mental Health Authority is charged under the Texas Mental
Health Code with the responsibility for planning, policy development, coordination,
including coordination with criminal justice entities, and resource development and
allocation and for supervising and ensuring the provision of mental health services to
persons with mental illness in the most appropriate and available setting in the stated
represented in the Gulf Bend Centers Consolidated Local Service Plan constitute a
continuum of available care, with each playing a role collectively and independently in
collaboratively with the Local Mental Health Authority to proactively identify and treat
THE GULF BEND MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE INTERLOCAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT
Page 1 of 12
patients, as well as monitor treatment resistant individuals with the goal of preventing
WHEREAS the Local Mental Health Authority, service providers and community
a service delivery plan they believe may be a model for rural crisis mental health care in
WHEREAS Victoria County and the City of Victoria are centrally situated among
seven counties in the Gulf Bend Centers service area and represent the bulk of the
WHEREAS Victoria County and the City of Victoria employ peace officers who are
enforcement agencies in and around Victoria County has proven effective on an array of
matters, and to the mutual benefit of all neighboring municipalities and contiguous
counties; and,
Chapter 791 of the Texas Government Code, and other relevant laws of the State of
Texas, the principal entities to-wit: the Gulf Bend Center, Victoria County, Texas, the City
of Victoria, Texas, hereby agree to participate in, and be a part of cooperative multi-
jurisdictional investigative, enforcement, and prevention efforts which are herein known
and designated as the Gulf Bend Mental Health Task Force; and,
WHEREAS the Gulf Bend Center has secured initial funding, and the parties
THE GULF BEND MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE INTERLOCAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT KNOWN BY THESE PRESENTS:
That the Local Mental Health Authority, otherwise known as the Gulf Bend Center,
the County of Victoria, Texas, and the City of Victoria, Texas, acting herein by and through
their duly authorized chief administrative officers, as well as agencies that have executed,
are executing, or will execute substantially similar copies hereof at this time, or in the
future during the time that this original agreement is in force, do hereby covenant and
agree as follows:
TASK FORCE
The Gulf Bend Mental Health Task Force (Task Force) will be a part of the Local
Mental Health Authority (LMHA), otherwise known as the Gulf Bend Center, for
operational purposes. The activities of the Task Force shall be supervised by a Board of
Governors, consistent with this agreement and the terms of all governing statutes and
contracts. This Board, identified in Exhibit A and attached herein, will include as
permanent voting members, the Victoria County Sheriff, the City of Victoria, Texas, Chief
of Police, and a Chairperson, who shall be the Executive Director of the Local Mental
Health Authority, otherwise known as the Gulf Bend Center. Additionally, the Board of
Governors will consist of an executive from every additional agency that participates in
the Task Force by providing full-time paid personnel. Ex officio members of the Board
shall include the Chief of Clinical Services for the Local Mental Health Authority, the
Director of Medical Services for the County of Victoria, as well as an appropriate executive
level designee from Citizens Medical Center Hospital and DeTar Healthcare System.
Other ex officio members, if any, may be added by agreement of the voting members.
THE GULF BEND MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE INTERLOCAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT
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The Board of Governors shall establish an Advisory Council, which shall be
comprised of representatives from each entity the Local Mental Health Authority identifies
providers and stakeholders identified in the Gulf Bend Centers Consolidated Local
Service Plan. The Advisory Council shall not meet less than quarterly. A member of the
chairperson of the Advisory Council for a period of one year, with no limitation on the
number of terms that may be held consecutively. The Chairperson shall select from the
Advisory Council members a Vice-Chairperson, who shall cause the minutes of each
meeting to be recorded and submitted to the Board of Governors. The Advisory Council
and any sub-committee thereof may advise the Board of Governors on any and all
aspects of Task Force operations. The Board of Governors may, at its discretion, appoint
The Board of Governors shall have the responsibility for policy, direction, and
control of the Task Force, which shall be reduced to writing and adopted annually as The
Gulf Bend Mental Health Task Force Service Plan (Task Force Service Plan). The Task
The Board of Governors will have direct responsibility for the selection of a
Commander for the Task Force, who shall be a sworn Texas peace officer holding at least
an Advance Peace Officer Proficiency Certificate from the Texas Commission on Law
Code Sec. 1701.404. The Task Force Commander shall, for operational purposes, report
to the Gulf Bend Chief of Clinical Services. The Task Force Commander and all peace
THE GULF BEND MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE INTERLOCAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT
Page 4 of 12
officers assigned to the Task Force shall remain under the administrative control of their
sponsoring agencies and bound by the policies and expectations of the Chief Law
Enforcement Official holding their commission. The Board of Governors will monitor the
activities and accomplishments of the Task Force to ensure orderly progress towards
The Task Force will be one unit, which may form sub-groups or teams as
appropriate. The activities and investigations of these sub-groups or teams may be led
by the Task Force Commander, subject to the operational oversight of the LMHA Clinical
Director. These sub-groups or teams will have the duties assigned to them by the Task
Force Commander.
The Task Force shall render services to mental health consumers in the service
area in a manner specified in the Task Force Service Plan adopted by the Board of
Governors, herein attached as Exhibit B. The assigned Mental Health Officers will
respond to requests for assistance in a timely manner. The Task Force will conduct
to other agencies in an effort to prevent and resolve mental health crises. Records related
to Task Force operations will be managed in a manner consistent with Texas statutes
and specified in the Task Force Service Plan. Commissioned members of the Task Force
shall work collaboratively and safely with non-sworn professional staff of the LMHA to
OFFICER STATUS
Any peace officer assigned to the Task Force by a government entity which is a
THE GULF BEND MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE INTERLOCAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT
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party to this agreement shall be empowered to enforce all laws and ordinances applicable
in the jurisdiction of the county and municipal entities that are signatories to this
agreement. Authorities include the power to make arrests, execute search warrants, and
investigate related offenses outside of the geographical jurisdiction from which he or she
is assigned, but within the area covered by the jurisdictions of the counties and municipal
While functioning as a peace officer assigned to the Task Force, he or she shall
have all of the law enforcement powers of a regular peace officer of such other political
entities.
enforcement duties as a member of the Task Force, shall receive the same wage, salary,
pension and all other compensation and all other rights for such service, including injury
or death benefits and workers compensation benefits, as though the service had been
rendered within the limits of the entity from which he or she was assigned. Peace officers
assigned to the Task Force will not work overtime that is not reimbursable to their
assigning agency without prior approval from their assigning agency supervisor.
for overtime reimbursement, each party to this agreement, when providing services of
personnel, expressly waives the right to receive reimbursement for services performed or
equipment utilized under this agreement even though a request for such reimbursement
It is further agreed that, in the event any peace officer assigned to the Task Force
is cited as a party defendant to any civil lawsuit, state or federal, arising out of his or her
THE GULF BEND MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE INTERLOCAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT
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official acts while functioning as a peace officer assigned to the Task Force, said peace
officer shall be entitled to the same benefits that such officer would be entitled to receive
had such civil action arisen out of an official act within the scope of his or her duties as a
member and in the jurisdiction of the law enforcement agency from which he or she was
assigned. Further, no entity shall be responsible for the acts of a peace officer of another
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Each party to this agreement expressly waives all claims against every other party
for compensation for any loss, damage, personal injury, or death occurring as a
Third party claims against members shall be governed by the Texas Tort Claims
Act or other appropriate statutes and laws of the State of Texas and the United States.
party waives, nor shall be deemed hereby to waive, any immunity or defense that would
and functions.
The validity of this agreement and of any of its terms or provisions, as well as the
rights and duties of the parties hereunder, shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Texas.
Each party to this agreement agrees that if legal action is brought under this
agreement, the venue shall lie in the county in which the defendant member is located,
and if located in more than one county, then it shall lie in the county in which the principal
THE GULF BEND MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE INTERLOCAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT
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In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this agreement shall for any
illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision thereof and this agreement
shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been
contained herein.
This agreement shall become effective as to a party hereto on the day of the
execution of the agreement by the party. This agreement may be amended or modified
by the mutual agreement of the parties hereto in writing to be attached to and incorporated
into this agreement. This instrument contains the complete agreement of the parties
hereto and any oral modifications, or written amendments not incorporated to the
each city or other law enforcement entity will sign a substantially similar agreement;
however, each party signing substantially similar copies is immediately bound one to
another and to all other entities participating during the time said agreement is in force,
even though the parties signatures appear on different copies of the substantially similar
copies. Any entity being added after the agreement is in effect need only sign the
documents which the Local Mental Health Authority signs to be fully a party bound to all
other parties, and such signature shall, as of the date of the signing, have the same force
and effect as between the joining and already-bound members as if a single document
was signed simultaneously by all then-participating entities. All such subsequent agency
THE GULF BEND MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE INTERLOCAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT
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This instrument contains all commitments and agreements of the parties, and no
oral or written commitments have any force or effect to alter any term or condition of this
agreement, unless the same are done in proper form and in a manner constituting a bona
The parties agree that their collective agreement may be evidenced by the
of each participant and the failure of any anticipated member to enter into or renew this
agreement shall not affect the agreement between and among the parties executing the
agreement.
Funding for Task Operations may come from funds lawfully available to any party
to this agreement, to include grants secured by a party or parties to this agreement. The
parties may enter jointly into an arrangement to give effect to this agreement through
contracts, grant awards, sub-grantee awards, and contracts under terms specified in
those agreements. The parties to this agreement hereby resolve to work collectively, and
independently, to secure the funding necessary meet to the objectives specified in, and
TERMINATION
Any party to this agreement may terminate its participation or rights and obligations
as a party by providing (30) days written notice to the Board of Governors of the Gulf
Bend Mental Health Task Force, 6502 Nursery Drive, Suite 100 Victoria, TX 77904. Such
termination shall have no effect upon the rights and obligations of the remaining parties
THE GULF BEND MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE INTERLOCAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT
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Upon termination of this Agreement, ownership of grant funded equipment,
hardware, and other non-expendable items will revert to the grantee for which it was
acquired, subject to the approval of the grantor. However, the terminating Party will not
be relieved of any financial reporting requirements under the terms of any applicable grant
or contractual agreement.
WITNESSETH:
________________________________________ ________________
STEVE HIPES, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD DATE
________________________________________ ________________
JEFF TUNNELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DATE
________________________________________ ________________
LANE JOHNSON, CHIEF OF CLINICAL SERVICES DATE
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________________________
ATTORNEY
THE GULF BEND MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE INTERLOCAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT
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VICTORIA COUNTY, TEXAS
______________________________________ ________________
BEN ZELLER, COUNTY JUDGE DATE
_________________________________________ ________________
T. MICHAEL OCONNOR, SHERIFF DATE
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________________________
STEVEN B. TYLER, CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY
THE GULF BEND MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE INTERLOCAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT
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CITY OF VICTORIA, TEXAS
______________________________________ ________________
PAUL POLASEK, MAYOR DATE
______________________________________ ________________
CHARMELLE GARRETT, CITY MANAGER DATE
______________________________________ ________________
JEFF CRAIG, CHIEF OF POLICE DATE
ATTEST:
______________________________________ ________________
APRIL HILBRICH, CITY SECRETARY DATE
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________________
THOMAS A. GWOSDZ, CITY ATTORNEY
THE GULF BEND MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE INTERLOCAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT
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EXHIBIT A: TASK FORCE PARTICIPANT LIST
Board Governors
Ex Officio Members
Page 1 of 1
EXHIBIT B: TASK FORCE SERVICE PLAN
The Gulf Bend Community Collaborative is an initiative taken to correct current mental healthcare
practices that do not reduce the incidence of mental illness within rural Texas communities and
provide little hope for those on a path to mental crisis.
The Collaborative undertakes initiatives to maximize the use of existing rural community resources
to benefit mentally ill persons
As necessary, the Collaborative identifies and defines Criteria for success: Break the cycle and take a new direction
priority resource needs for consideration by local and State leaders as ways to improve mental
healthcare within the Gulf Bend Region the proposed Collaborative plan identifies such a need
The Gulf Bend Community Collaborative proposes a solution to reduce criminalization of the mentally
ill as persons in crisis are placed into the care of community-based treatment and support programs
rather than jail.
Texans undergoing mental health crises stand an 8 to 1 chance of incarceration rather than
hospitalization
Jails and prisons which are not purposed, designed, or resourced to provide adequate mental
healthcare services have replaced hospitals as the primary facility for mentally ill individuals
Local governments assume the costs for criminalizing the mentally ill as healthcare programs such as
Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans benefits are stopped or significantly reduced upon incarceration
As healthcare programs are not automatically reinitiated upon discharge from jail, the mentally
ill demonstrate a high rate of recidivism due in part to self-medication by using illicit drugs
Local programs aimed at reducing criminalization of the mentally ill can leverage rather than
deny available funds such as Medicaid for mental healthcare programs
Criminalizing the mentally ill and high jail recidivism rates are indicators of a failed mental
healthcare model that is increasingly expensive to rural governments
Page 1 of 2
EXHIBIT B: TASK FORCE SERVICE PLAN
Mental Health Law Enforcement Unit Officers and Case Workers Version 6.0 3-3-2017
5. Mental Health
The program is proposed in two phases totaling a four-year
Database
period
6. Community Support
Phase I (2018-2019): The Phase I intent is to establish a
Services
centralizedprocess to populate, equip, prepare, and validate law
enforcement andcase management functions with people who 7. Mental Health Court
System
live and work within localcommunities
Phase II (2020-2021): The Phase II intent is to continue 8. Criteria for Program
facilitation of centrally controlled, standardized support for local Measurement
mental health programs throughout the Gulf Bend Region by law 9. Communication and
enforcement officers and case managers who live and work Education
within local communities
Centralized control during both phases of the proposed program
will facilitate uniform measures of program performance and
effectiveness as well as disciplined fiscal controls
While the proposed program seeks resources for dedicated law enforcement officers and case
managers to support mental health programs within the Gulf Bend Region, the Collaborative will
simultaneously develop other prioritized needs such as improved assessment tools, mental health
courts, and communication and education programs to name a few
The proposed fiscal resource requirements to man, train, and equip a dedicated law enforcement
and case management capability for the seven county Gulf Bend Region is $11.6 million over the
four-year prototype program period
The proposed program will be provided to State Legislators for their review,
input, and consideration for funding in the coming Legislati ve Biennium
The proposed program is a prototype as there are no comparable rural programs within the State
of Texas. If successful, the proposed program can serve as the basis for improving mental
healthcare for rural communities throughout the State of Texas.
Page 2 of 2
EXHIBIT B: TASK FORCE SERVICE PLAN
How do we compel support? The Gulf Bend Region serves as the prototypical Texas rural
community beh
EXHIBIT B: TASK FORCE SERVICE PLAN
Commitment
Proposed Cost
Jail
Preparations
1. Environmental Scan:
a. Mental illness affects all segments of the Texas Crossroads also referred to as the Gulf Bend
Region.
1) It is estimated that approximately 26 percent of the Gulf Bend Regions population suffers
from a diagnosed mental illness
2) The potential for increased mental health needs will be affected by changing demographics
associated with socio-economic growth
b. Most often, the first community resource addressing a mental health crisis is local law
enforcement officer.
2) Aside from responding to situations involving mental health crises, local law enforcement
agencies provide support for commitment actions directed by civil or criminal courts. Law
enforcement agencies throughout the Gulf Bend Region responded to more than 450
mental health-related calls during 2016 a figure that is expected to rise over the course of
the next year.
c. There are too few Gulf Bend Center case managers for current and projected non-serious
mental healthcare populations within the seven county Gulf Bend Region.
1) In 2016, the total calls for mental health crises within the Gulf Bend Region were 5,501
2,616 of which required assessments. This equates to an average of over 7 assessments per
every day of the year.
2) Without case manager advocacy, there is risk that client needs will not be properly assessed
nor will mental healthcare programs be properly coordinated and integrated with other
community agencies who are critical to achieving mental healthcare goals, objectives, and
priorities.
3) Persons who suffer from mental illness will not be capable of integrating fully and
contributing to their community
d. Current mental healthcare programs are ineffective while placing an increasingly expensive
burden on local governments
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EXHIBIT B: TASK FORCE SERVICE PLAN
Mental Health Law Enforcement Unit Officers and Case Workers Version 6.0 3-3-2017
2. Purpose: Improve ability to decriminalize encounters with mentally ill persons throughout the Gulf
Bend Region
coordinated, multi-phased, multi- Rural LE Mental Health Unit and Case Management (proposed prototype)
year program to establish common Phase I: 2 Years (2018 / 2019) Phase II: 2 Years (2020 / 2021)
and sustained actions for Centralized Control Centralized Control
encountering and managing Centralized Execution Decentralized Execution
persons who suffer from mental
Establish common operational Sheriffs Offices opt to continue
health illness throughout the Gulf concept through centralized with execution of centralized
Bend Region. See Fig. 1 manning, training, education, operations from the Mental
equipping, and operations Health Unit or develop
Provide LE response to mental decentralized county capability
a. Phase I: Establish a centralized health needs throughout Gulf If opt to develop decentralized
24/7/365 support capability for Bend Region using MOA/MOU capability:
established with all Sheriffs Equipment transferred
the Gulf Bend Region. The Offices
Personnel admin transferred
Phase I goal is to develop, Expand and provide centralized
Case Management support for Centralized LE and Case
validate, and implement a Management control retained at
non-serious mental healthcare
single standard for preparing needs who live throughout the Victoria County w/ decentralized
Gulf Bend Region execution throughout Region
and employing law
Centralized operations from Massed LE and Case Management
enforcement officers and case response capability if required
Victoria County responsive to
managers in support of mental support region needs
health programs implemented
throughout the Gulf Bend
Region.
1) Mental health support consisting of law enforcement officers and case managers will be
centralized during Phase I within Victoria County for the Gulf Bend Region Communities that
include rural communities (Refugio, Goliad, Lavaca, Calhoun, Dewitt, and Jackson counties).
a) Law enforcement officers principal focus is to ensure the safety and security of persons
experiencing mental health crisis as well as medical and mental health practitioners who
are tending to their needs and bystanders. As possible, law enforcement officers will
coordinate with members of the judicial and mental health communities as a minimum
to take steps in diverting persons in need of mental healthcare from jail.
b) Case managers serve as advocates for persons throughout the Gulf Bend Region not
otherwise classified as Seriously Mentally Ill. As such, case managers coordinate
programs of support from throughout the community for the benefit of persons who
suffer from mental illness.
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Authority For Further Distribution Granted by Collaborative Plenary
EXHIBIT B: TASK FORCE SERVICE PLAN
Mental Health Law Enforcement Unit Officers and Case Workers Version 6.0 3-3-2017
2) Law enforcement officers employed by local Law Enforcement Agencies will be part of a
Mental Health Unit within the Gulf Bend Community Mental Health Center located in
Victoria County, Texas
a) The Law Enforcement Mental Health Unit facilitates personnel actions, training,
education, exercises, equipment, and sustainment requirements for unified law
enforcement operations in support of the Regions mental healthcare goals
b) Licensed Peace Officers will be recruited from throughout the region for assignment
during Phase I to the Mental health Unit centralized within Victoria County
c) Licensed Peace Officers will perform their daily duties in a direct support role to Gulf
Bend leadership
e) Law Enforcement Mental health Unit actions are coordinated with all affected law
enforcement agencies while directed and controlled by Gulf Bend Center
f) Law Enforcement Mental Health Unit operations will be centralized within the Victoria
County Gulf Bend Community Center facility for operations, support, and control
g) Calls for mental health assistance issues received by law enforcement agencies will be
transferred to the Gulf Bend Center operations center (dispatch) for action
h) Required law enforcement actions / operations not normally associated with mental
Health Officer roles and responsibilities are subject to the direction and control of the
sheriff within each county
3) The Law Enforcement Mental Health Unit and the Gulf Bend Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams
(MCOT) will comprise the Gulf Bend Regions Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) capability. As
such, the CIT brings together law enforcement, mental health providers, hospital emergency
departments and individuals with mental illness and their families to improve responses to
people undergoing mental health crisis
a) In coordination with the MCOT, the Law Enforcement Mental Health Unit will answer
calls from family and friends of mentally or emotionally disturbed individuals during
mental health crisis. The Law Enforcement Mental Health Unit will also:
a.1). Execute orders from Courts requiring actions relative to mental health needs
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EXHIBIT B: TASK FORCE SERVICE PLAN
Mental Health Law Enforcement Unit Officers and Case Worker Version 6.0 3-3-2017
a.3). Assist with assessment and processing of persons with mental health problems
thereby getting appropriate care rather than relying on detention;
a.5). Provide transport of persons needing assistance with mental health needs;
a.6). Transport involuntary persons to local facilities when they meet mental health
code criteria
b) The Mental Health Unit will divert persons who commit minor offenses while affected
by mental illness away from the criminal justice system and jail by putting them into the
care of community-based treatment and support service programs
4) Gulf Bend Case Managers will expand the ability to assess the needs of non-serious mentally
ill populations and then advocate for, coordinate, and integrate develop, and monitor the
implementation of personalized mental healthcare plans to meet client needs. Case
Managers will be under the direct supervision and control of the Gulf Bend Community
Mental Health Center located in Victoria County, Texas but will provide direct support to
assigned counties within the Gulf Bend Region. Accordingly, Case Managers will:
a) Collect information from clients and their families to help team members understand
clients' situations. Understand the personal history of assigned clients with long-term
mental healthcare needs and discern best available options to provide appropriate
mental healthcare treatment / service plans
b) Work closely with multidisciplinary teams to create treatment programs and case plans
that include diagnoses, prescribed treatments, and goals for becoming more
independent. Work with other community resources to coordinate appropriate
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Authority For Further Distribution Granted by Collaborative Plenary
EXHIBIT B: TASK FORCE SERVICE PLAN
Mental Health Law Enforcement Unit Officers and Case Workers Version 6.0 3-3-2017
c) Ensure that persons in directed mental healthcare programs comply with their service
plan requirements this often requires monitoring client activities, such as
employment, training and counseling or treatment for substance abuse
d) Monitor services to ensure they are meeting clients' needs. Assess progress on
healthcare plans, report plan status, and make recommendations regarding further
treatment.
e) Determine whether an individual is abiding by the terms of an enforceable plan that has
been court directed
f) Serve as an advocate for clients in procuring social and medical services. If required,
recommend that the client is placed into a controlled environment in order to receive
appropriate mental healthcare
g) Provide on-going supportive and/or case management functions in accordance with the
problems, needs, and the strategies identified within client service plans
h) Serve as liaison between clients, families, and community service providers to facilitate
achievement of client mental healthcare needs. Educate clients and their families about
medical, nutritional, or home care needs.
j) Assess clients for drug induced mental health issues and provide / refer / follow-up for
needed substance abuse treatment
5) Rural counties surrounding Victoria County support and supplement the initial centralized
process throughout Phase I by providing first response capability and information sharing as
required
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EXHIBIT B: TASK FORCE SERVICE PLAN
Mental Health Law Enforcement Unit Officers and Case Workers Version 6.0 3-3-2017
b) The daily duties are those required per the requirements set forth in this proposed plan
7) Phase I begins immediately upon being resourced and continues over a two-year period.
b. Phase II: Centralized control continues through Phase II. Rural counties within the Gulf Bend
Region are given the option of executing decentralized LE Mental Health Unit and case
management operations from each of the Gulf Bend Region rural communities or retaining the
supporting / supported relationship established during Phase I. The Phase II goal is to
proliferate support capabilities newly developed during Phase I throughout the Gulf Bend
Region.
1) The intent of Phase II is to facilitate local support for mental health issues by law
enforcement officers and case managers who live and work within all of the Gulf Bend
Regions local communities on a continuous basis
2) Counties opting to evolve into decentralized execution roles will continue to provide
comparable law enforcement response and support to that established within centralized
Mental Health Unit operations during Phase I
a) Law Enforcement Mental Health Unit and case management operations control will
remain centralized under the Gulf Bend Regional operations center located in Victoria
County
b) Law Enforcement Mental Health Unit and case management execution will be
decentralized within those counties opting to develop a 24/7/365 response capability to
serve their county needs
c) As required, Law Enforcement Mental Health Unit officers and case management
personnel serving in decentralized roles will be available to augment Mental Health Unit
operations throughout the Gulf Bend Region as required
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EXHIBIT B: TASK FORCE SERVICE PLAN
Mental Health Law Enforcement Unit Officers and Case Workers Version 6.0 3-3-2017
3) Support practices as described for Phase I will continue for counties not opting to conduct
decentralized operations
5) Phase II begins after the initial two year organizational period and continue for 2 years
thereafter.
Enforcement Mental
Gulf Bend Gulf Bend Gulf Bend
Health Supervisors Case Crisis Crisis Hotline
Management Response (Dispatch)
comprise an LE Mental LE Task Force
Health Unit located for Case
Case
Mobile Crisis
Mobile Crisis
LE Mental
LE Mental
Manager Outreach
Mobile Crisis Health
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Mobile Crisis Health
duty during Phase I at Manager
Supervisor
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Mobile Crisis
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Mobile Crisis
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the Victoria Gulf Bend Outreach
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Outreach
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LE Mental
LE Mental
Gulf Bend Gulf Bend Team Health
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CaseBend Gulf
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Gulf Bend Gulf Bend Supervisor
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Victoria County Gulf
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Bend
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Case Bend
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Case Bend
Manager
Gulf Bend Manager
Gulf
Case Bend
Case
Manager Manager Mental Mental
Case
Manager Case
Manager Mental
Mental
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Manager Manager Mental
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a) 14 officers provide Officer
Mental
Health
OfficerMental
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24/7/365 OfficerMental
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capability for 7 Officer Officer
2) Mental Health Unit operates in Direct Support of a Gulf Bend Crisis Response capability
located within the Gulf Bend Center facility in Victoria County and works in collaboration
with the Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOT) and comprise the Crisis Intervention Team
(CIT)
3) Gulf Bend Crisis Hotline Center serves as the dispatch capability for the LE Mental Health
Unit coordinates calls regarding mental health calls for service with affected county
dispatch centers
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Authority For Further Distribution Granted by Collaborative Plenary
EXHIBIT B: TASK FORCE SERVICE PLAN
Mental Health Law Enforcement Unit Officers and Case Workers Version 6.0 3-3-2017
4) During Phase I, the Mental Health Unit is assigned from a Law Enforcement Task Force1 and
is subject to personnel actions, training, education, exercising, equipping, and sustainment
requirements required for certified law enforcement operations to be compliant with TCOLE
requirements
5) During Phase II, the Mental Health Unit retains the same basic structure with daily duty
locations for mental health officers determined by each county as they exercise the option
to continue centralized operations executed from Victoria County or opt to execute
decentralized operations within each county. Supervisors retained at the Gulf Bend Center
in Victoria County.
a) 12 Case Managers provide 24/7/365 capability for 7 counties that comprise the Gulf
Bend Region
b) 2 Case Manager supervisors provide 24/7/365 capability and can provide additional
support as required
2) Case Managers work in close collaboration with all community services and agencies that
can provide for the needs of persons suffering from mental illness with the intent of fully
reintegrating the person back into a productive community role.
3) During Phase I, Case Workers are assigned to the Gulf Bend Community Mental Health
Center and are subject to personnel actions, training, education, exercising, equipping, and
sustainment requirements
4) During Phase II, the Case management Office retains the same basic structure with daily
duty locations for case managers determined by each county as they exercise the option to
continue centralized operations executed from Victoria County or opt to execute
1
For purposes of the Gulf Bend Community Collaborative, the term Task Force is a PERMANENT not temporary
COMMITMENT of multi-jurisdictional law enforcement agencies and designated officers within the Gulf Bend
Region who are formed to execute Mental Health Unit requirements as long as the program remains viable. Basic
certification of eligible law enforcement officers will remain the responsibility of each committed law enforcement
agency. The Gulf Bend Center will assume administrative and fiscal responsibilities for training, equipping, and
operating the Mental Health Unit. The Gulf Bend Center will administer and account for all public and private
resources granted to the Gulf Bend Community Collaborative.
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decentralized operations within each county. Supervisors retained at the Gulf Bend Center
in Victoria County.
5. Personnel Requirements:
1) Supervisors must be certified peace officers and have a minimum of two years experience
in law enforcement operations (patrol, civil, warrants, courts, detention) or satisfactory
equivalent
2) Mental Health Officers must be certified peace officers and have a minimum of one year
experience in law enforcement operations (patrol, civil, warrants, courts, detention) or
satisfactory equivalent
3) All Law Enforcement Mental Health Officers are required to complete the Texas
Commission On Law Enforcement (TCOLE) mental health certification course
4) All Law Enforcement Mental Health Officers are required to complete a crisis negotiation
course within the first year of assignment to the Mental Health Unit
5) It is preferred that Law Enforcement Mental Health Officers receive cross training in Mental
Health case management as courses are made available within the Victoria Community
College, the University of Houston-Victoria, or provided through Gulf Bend
6) During Phase I, all law enforcement personnel will satisfy training, exercise, and education
requirements in order to comply with TCOLE requirements for certified law enforcement
officers
7) During Phase I, all personnel will participate and demonstrate progress in the completion of
a certified career progression plan developed jointly by the Victoria Community College, the
University of Houston-Victoria, and the Gulf Bend Center in collaboration with an Advisory
Board2 composed of members of all law enforcement agencies committed to the Mental
Health Unit
a) The career progression plan will include education, training, situational exercises that
are focused on improving encounters with mentally ill persons; managing persons
during encounters; establishing incident site command during major encounters with
2
The intent of the Law Enforcement Advisory Board is for all agencies irrespective of size to have an equal
voice in the professional development of officers committed to the Mental Health Unit. The Advisory Board
Charter will be developed and administered separately from the Gulf Bend Community Collaborative.
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mentally ill persons; and interfacing with mental health providers within the
communities represented within the Gulf Bend Region
b) Persons selected for duty within the Mental Health Unit will have a minimum of a 2 year
tour of duty with the Law Enforcement Mental Health Unit
1) Supervisors must have a minimum of two years work experience in mental health field
preferred.
3) All case managers must have a minimum of a Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited
college/university.
c. During Phase I, all personnel will be available for duty on a rotational basis in order to provide
24/7/365 coverage for the Gulf Bend Region. During Phase II, personnel assigned to counties
that opt for decentralized execution will be on call in order to provide for a 24/7/365 capability.
a. During Phase I, each person assigned to the Law Enforcement Mental Health Unit will have the
following items provided through the Gulf Bend Center using State appropriated funds:
b. Each person assigned to the Law Enforcement Mental Health Unit will have the following items
provided through the Gulf Bend Center:
1) Workspace and access to personal computers, printers, telephones, and office materials
2) Access cards / codes for building entry, storage space for files, etc.
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c. During Phase I, each person assigned to the Gulf Bend Case Management Office will have the
following items provided through the Gulf Bend Community Mental Health Center using State
appropriated funds:
d. Each person assigned to the Gulf Bend Case Management Office will have the following items
provided through Gulf Bend:
1) Workspace and access to personal computers, printers, telephones, and office materials
2) Access cards / codes for building entry, storage space for files, etc.
e. During Phase II, each county that chooses to opt for decentralized execution will have the
property identified above laterally transferred to the responsible authority within each county
f. At the core of the process of deploying members of the Law Enforcement Mental Health Unit
and / or the Case Management Office is a viable knowledge base that is supported within HIPAA
parameters using information technical systems
1) The intent is to establish a process whereby members of the Law Enforcement Mental
Health Unit and the Case Management Office connect, communicate, and collaborate
during the execution of operations throughout the region using available virtual means
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7. Facilities:
a. During Phase I, office / workspace within the Gulf Bend Center as the primary duty station for
Law Enforcement Mental Health Unit and the Case Management Office
b. During Phase II, office / workspace outside of the Gulf Bend Center will be provided by counties
opting to conduct decentralized operations
c. As possible, during Phases I and II, create and use halfway houses within each county for
meetings involving Gulf Bend Patients, Gulf Bend Case Management Office, and Law
Enforcement Mental Health Unit personnel as required
8. Preparations:
a. The Gulf Bend Community Collaborative provides community advisory oversight for activities
conducted for Phases I and II to include program management for the development,
implementation, assessment, and reporting of the Law Enforcement Mental Health Unit and
Case Management Office operations and organization.
b. Program management for the development, implementation, assessment, and reporting of the
Law Enforcement Mental Health Unit and Case Management Office operations and organization
will reside within the Gulf Bend Mental Health Center
2) Victoria Community College and /or the University of Houston-Victoria develops career
paths and associated training, education, and exercise programs for Law Enforcement
Mental Health Unit and Gulf Bend Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams
3) Victoria Community College and / or the University of Houston-Victoria provides the venue
for the development of common protocols and education on mental health procedures
executed by JPs from throughout the Gulf Bend Region
4) Victoria Community College and / or the University of Houston-Victoria provides the venue
for the development of common protocols and education on hospital medical clearances
required for mentally ill persons encountered by the legal system.
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d. The Law Enforcement Mental Health Unit and the Case management Office will function as a
community of practice whereby Gulf Bend case managers, mental health officers, and other
practitioners engage and interact in joint activities and discussions to share information and
enable learning from each other
1) Interactions will take place daily during shift briefs, weekly during encounter reviews, and
monthly during Mental Health Unit after action review periods
e. Tempo of training / education / exercise operations: As stated, the priority of effort during
phase I is the development of capable personnel and organizations. Accordingly, significant
amount of time during Phase I will be dedicated to specialized training, education, and
validating exercises at the individual, unit, and combined / joint levels. Figure 3 provides a brief
description of the events that will outline the first year of Phase I:
2) Interspersed throughout the Phase I period are requirements for the team of Case Workers,
the LE Mental Health Unit, and the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team to develop, implement, and
refine operating procedures and protocols for day-to-day operations.
3) Training opportunities will include other community public and private agencies to
participate, i.e., mental health, veterans court officials, etc.
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Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 Month 10 Month 11 Month 12
Recruit/Equip
Train Train Train Train
GB Units
Establish PGM
Measures
GBCC GBCC GBCC GBCC GBCC GBCC GBCC
Establish Facility
Develop MOUs
Develop Policies
/ MOAs
a. The Gulf Bend Center will be the responsible and accountable agency for programmatic
administration of public and private funds made available for the Community Collaboratives
Mental Health Unit and Case Workers. Any reporting requirements incurred by public or private
entities supporting the Gulf Bend Community Collaborative will be met by the Gulf Bend Center.
Program management costs incurred by Gulf Bend Center will not exceed 2.5% of total allocated
public or private funds.3
b. Required resources will be distributed over a period of four years that allow for progressive
development of Mental Health Unit and Case Worker capabilities. The objective state is to be
fully manned, equipped, trained and operating to meet all Gulf Bend Mental health needs by the
completion of the third year. The fourth year is thereby a full year of observable performance at
the objective state.
c. Considerations for budget requirements included Salaries with Fringe, Overtime, Training, Law
Enforcement Vehicle Fleet (dedicated exclusively to the Mental Health Unit), Case Management
Vehicle Fleet, Data Systems (exclusively for the use of the Mental Health Unit and Case
Managers in the execution of their duties), Vehicle Fuel /Maintenance/Insurance, IT Systems
Video Teleconferencing Capability, and any Special Uniform or Clothing Allowances.
3
The structure of the administrative organization within the Gulf Bend Center will be subject to the oversight and
approval of the Gulf Bend Board of Trustees.
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Figure 4: Costs
Phase I Cost Phase II Cost
Total Cost
(years 1 and 2) (years 3 and 4)
Ramp Up Period $4,866,515.42
Objective State $6,719,772.26
$11,586,287.68
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