Bexar County has made a significant change. It has moved the responsibility for jail intake mental health and substance use screenings from the Center for Health Care Services (CHCS) to University Health. This shift marks the end of a six-year contract and represents a new direction for how detainees receive care.
Previously, CHCS handled mental health screenings while University Health took care of medical intake. Once detainees entered the jail, University Health was responsible for their ongoing medical and behavioral health treatment. Now, for the first time, both services will be provided by a single organization.
In October 2023, Bexar County’s Office of Criminal Justice commissioned a study from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. The study, led by Dr. Alexander Testa, assessed how efficiently the jail processed detainees and directed those with mental health or substance use needs to treatment programs. The findings revealed challenges, like poor communication and overlapping duties among agencies.
Dr. Testa’s team recommended that Bexar County consolidate these services under one provider or streamline the process by integrating behavioral health assessments into the existing medical intake by University Health. Following the study, the county’s Department of Public Health began exploring ways to improve these processes.
Bexar County Public Health Director, Dr. Andrea Guerrero, remarked that having University Health manage both medical and mental health needs could lead to better care. “When they come back to jail, all their information will be on one medical record,” she said.
The transition has been swift. Bexar County recommended the change in August, and it was finalized in the budget on September 9. University Health kicked off its screenings on October 1, just a day after CHCS ended its role at the annex. Despite the abrupt end, University Health quickly began to train 11 new staff members to handle the screenings.
Jelynne LeBlanc Jamison, CEO of CHCS, expressed surprise over the decision, noting that their agency didn’t anticipate losing this contract. “We were not aware that a change was in the works,” she said, emphasizing the importance of their partnership with the county.
While CHCS no longer manages screenings at the jail, it continues to offer other crucial mental health services like jail-based competency restoration and outpatient treatment. Jamison mentioned ongoing conversations about the need for a diversion center to support individuals with mental health issues in the community rather than the jail.
There are valid concerns regarding whether this change will truly improve care. Jamison pointed out that unless Bexar County addresses structural issues, such as technology upgrades and staffing, the transition may not yield the desired outcomes.
Recent statistics show that around 25% of detained individuals in Bexar County are struggling with mental health issues. Improving care and response for these individuals is more crucial than ever. Streamlining mental health services could lead to more effective treatment and potentially reduce recidivism rates.
The path forward remains uncertain. However, there’s hope that these changes will lead to better support for individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges within the justice system. By focusing on integrated care, Bexar County is taking steps toward a more coordinated and compassionate approach to mental health treatment.
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