CORE Program Helps Police and Mental Health Work Together

The CORE Program connects Harris County Sheriff's deputies with mental health professionals when they respond to crisis calls. When someone calls 911 for a mental health emergency, deputies can connect by video with licensed clinicians from the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD. This lets trained mental health experts help assess the situation and guide next steps, even when they can't be there in person. The program helps people in crisis get the right care instead of ending up in jail. It also helps deputies handle mental health calls more safely and effectively. Harris County Commissioners Court just approved extending this program through February 2027, showing our community values connecting people to mental health support. This matters because mental health crises happen in every neighborhood across Harris County. When someone you know faces a mental health emergency, this program means deputies have expert backup to help connect them to treatment and services. The program serves all Harris County areas outside Houston city limits. If you or someone you know has been helped by this program, you can share your story with Commissioners Court during public comment periods. You can also contact Commissioner offices to support continued funding for mental health programs. For more information about Harris County mental health services, visit the Harris Center website.

When someone in your neighborhood has a mental health crisis, this program helps deputies connect them to treatment instead of jail. It makes these emergency situations safer for everyone and gets people the right kind of help they need.