At a Glance
- Williamson County renews 911 dispatch mental health diversion agreement.
- Partnership with Bluebonnet Trails embeds mental health professionals into dispatch workflow.
- County will fund partnership with $168,000 for the contract year.
- Why it matters: Faster help for mental crises and reduced police workload.
Williamson County has extended its 911 dispatch partnership with Bluebonnet Trails Community Services (BTCS), a move that brings mental health professionals directly into the county’s emergency call system. The renewal, approved in Tuesday’s court meeting, includes a $168,000 annual budget to support the service. The program is designed to speed response for callers in mental distress and free up police resources.
Program Overview
The agreement, in effect since 2021, allows dispatchers to connect callers who may need mental health support to BTCS specialists during the screening process. Mike Maples, CEO of BTCS, explained how the partnership provides faster access to professionals for those experiencing any type of mental crisis.
Mike Maples said:
> “If a person that calls in that may have a concern or an issue related to mental health issues or just issues in general, [if] the dispatch-through their screening process-feels like a mental health professional can help with, [BTCS] connects into that call. It’s really trying to create a more quicker access to mental health professionals for the county, to make sure those needs are met.”
Mike Maples added:
> “Law enforcement’s job is to protect the community and protect citizens in the community. Having access to mental health professionals for folks that really need that helps free up law enforcement to return to their public safety duties or enhance the response that they have as first responders.”
Commissioner Valerie Covey said:
> “We feel like this is a good program. Especially with the more and more calls coming through-it’s taking longer sometimes-and so we felt like it was a good option [to renew] for us.”
Funding and Support
The county will allocate $168,000 to fund the partnership for the contract year, a figure stated by Maples. Commissioner Covey praised the program as essential amid increasing call volumes that sometimes take longer to handle.
Key Takeaways
- Renewal keeps BTCS embedded in 911 dispatch since 2021.
- $168,000 annual budget supports mental health professionals in calls.
- The program eases police workload and speeds crisis response.
The partnership underscores Williamson County’s commitment to better serving residents in mental health crises while supporting first responders.
