The city has decided to move $30,000 from SAPD’s budget for a feasibility study on having a diversion and recovery center in San Antonio.
SAN ANTONIO — Progress is happening with District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo’s plan to reduce criminalization for anyone experiencing a mental health emergency.
Castillo developed a plan in October to create a diversion and recovery center.
This week, the City of San Antonio decided to move $30,000 from SAPD’s budget to have a feasibility study on having a diversion and recovery center.
The Center for Health Care Services would be running the survey.
Councilwoman Castillo says the plan has support from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and Bexar County Commissioner Justin Rodriguez, among other groups.
Castillo’s plan involves a committee looking at different ways to divert people with mental health needs away from jail and toward treatment, recovery and stability.
In a recent study conducted by the detention mental health team within the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, 237 detained people were found incompetent and awaiting hospital beds while detained at the Bexar County Jail.
Castillo also cited reports that an average of 152 people a month stay in the Bexar County Jail with mental health issues as they await trial or disability testing.
Citing Harris County’s Center for Mental Health as an example, Castillo wants a center providing psych assessments, medication management, addiction treatment, peer support and post-release case management.