Strengthening Alternative 911 Emergency Response

Launching Alternative Emergency Response in Harris County, TX

Four HART community responder team members standing in front of a response car.
  • Harris County wanted to address community safety concerns through a public health-informed approach by designing programs that would:
    • Be responsive to chronic, social stressors facing residents, such as insufficient or no health insurance and economic insecurity.
    • Prevent violence and improve resident health, including wellbeing and self-sufficiency.
  • In 2020, the GPL supported Harris County Public Health in planning for and launching the Holistic Alternative Responder Team (HART) pilot, a program designed to:
    • Improve community health and safety by sending trained behavioral health professionals to respond to community members experiencing homelessness, behavioral health issues, or non-emergency health or social welfare concerns.
    • Reduce unnecessary law enforcement or hospital-based interventions for non-emergent 911 calls.
  • Following this initial research and development technical assistance in Harris County, the GPL established the inaugural Alternative 911 Emergency Response Implementation Cohort in 2021, with Harris County participating as one of the initial Cohort members.
  • In 2022, HART launched as a pilot program in one Harris County district neighborhood covering 148 square miles. After responding to more than 2,200 calls in its first year, HART was expanded to cover additional hours and a second district in 2023, encompassing another 206 square miles. In 2025, HART moved its teams in-house to Harris County Public Health where they continue to operate.

How the GPL Supported:

  • Facilitated interdepartmental working groups between the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Harris County Public Health (HCPH), and the Justice Administration Department (JAD) to coordinate activities leading up to pilot launch.
  • Informed the initial program budget and request for proposals (RFP) using results-driven procurement and contract management
  • Drafted job descriptions for prospective HART responders.
  • Analyzed 911 data and identified eligible calls for a HART response team.
  • Drafted updates to the 911 call center’s protocols for call screening and triage.

 

For too long, we’ve unfairly placed our peace officers in untenable positions that require the unique skills and training of a mental health expert or a social worker. The Holistic Alternative Response Team (HART) will use trained professionals to get people the resources they need and make our communities safer. We are fortunate in Harris County to have widespread support for this health-based program, including from our partners in law enforcement. Rodney Ellis
Harris County Commissioner

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