“Part of what we do is provide mental health training to law enforcement agencies.”
ORANGE COUNTY, TX — Hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funds are set up to help people with mental health issues who have been or are currently incarcerated.
The Spindletop Center has received a $550,000 grant from the Department of Justice. The funding is set up to enable mental health organizations to partner with local law enforcement agencies to better serve communities in Southeast Texas.
Spindletop staff have applied for this grant in 2021. They are one of only 26 agencies nationwide that receive funding from the Department of Justice.
“I always say, ‘If you don’t ask, the answer is always no,'” says Thomas Smith, crisis prevention specialist at Spindletop. I answered.”
This funding will help Spindletop expand its operations into Orange County. It’s set to give more resources to those incarcerated than just cops.
“The purpose of this grant is for mental health and law enforcement to work together to try to help people with mental health issues who are incarcerated or incarcerated,” Smith said. rice field.
Smith said Spindletop Center will partner with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to expand its reach. Currently, the center works with Sheriff’s Offices in Jefferson, Hardin, and Chambers counties.
“Part of what we do is provide training for law enforcement on mental health, CIT, and the Mental Health Peace Officer Course,” Smith said.
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CIT stands for Crisis Intervention Training. This kind of training is what helped Vidor Police Officer Brittany Haley convince a man on Interstate 10.
In September 2022, Officer Haley’s quick response and calm voice saved a man’s life. She kept her cool in the chaos, continuing to talk to the young man, showing empathy while telling him he wasn’t alone.
This grant also helps inmates with mental health problems.
Before people with mental health problems can be brought to justice, they must prove mentally competent. You may have to wait over a year
This grant will help speed up the process.
“This funding will help us expand that program so that we can actually provide more services to the community,” Smith said.
This is a three-year program and planning is just beginning. Smith said Spindletop is looking to hire more people to begin its expansion into Orange County.
