Lt. Melissa Franks
Sheila Johnson Admin Assistant
Dr. Raven Thousand, Ed.D., M.A., LPC Program Manager
Since its inception in October 2020 the Regional C risis A ssessment R esource E ngagement (CARE) Team has worked to decriminalize behavioral health needs like mental illness, substance use, and homelessness by offering an alternative to traditional police - centered mental health response. The team includes regional social service provision, victim assistance coordination (DeSoto only), care coordination through the local mental health authority and law enforcement officers from each of the participating cities - DeSoto, Cedar Hill, and Duncanville. This multidisciplinary team is overseen by a law enforcement coordinator and a clinical manager. Together, this team initiates gently persistent engagement efforts for hard - to - reach individuals, follow - up on recent crisis incidents, and crisis prevention activities such as education, systems navigation, criminal diversion opportunities, and walking alongside individuals until they are successfully connected to the most appropriate community referral sources.
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