AUSTIN, Texas —
The KVUE Defenders are tracking Travis County's progress on new projects to address mental health needs.
During a work session Thursday afternoon, the Travis County Commissioners Court learned more about a timeline for the new Crisis Care Diversion Pilot Program.
According to Central Health, one of the community groups behind the project and the county's hospital district plans to expand the pilot program's psychiatric emergency services. It should be in place by October.
The pilot program to set to start this summer.
The goal is to connect people accused of low-level crimes to mental health care instead of going to jail.
County leaders want support services in place now as it will take several years for the proposed mental health diversion center to be completed.
The efforts come as around 40% of inmates at the Travis County Jail suffer from a mental health condition and there's a backlog of state psychiatric beds.
More details are expected in Tuesday's commissioners court meeting.
RELATED COVERAGE:
- Travis County moving forward with mental health diversion program
- New Travis County mental health diversion center will take over 5 years to complete
- 'We need to do something better' | Travis County leaders plan to open new mental health diversion center
- Travis County, City of Austin leaders unveil plans for new mental health pilot program
- Williamson County prepares to launch new competency restoration program
- Hundreds of mentally ill people sit in Texas jails waiting for hospital treatment
