• Can you elaborate on your role and the work you do at the Harris Center? 

In my role I provide direct oversight to many of the programs within the CPEP Division that specialize in providing community-based services to those who experience or at risk of experiencing homelessness. I also oversee programs that partner with the Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff’s Office to provide collaborative, community-based services to individuals who have frequently engaged with law enforcement due to unmet, behavioral health needs.

• What type of services does the Harris Center offer for those experiencing homelessness? 

The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs, The Harris Center provides a full continuum of services at more than 80 different sites across Harris County. In addition, The Harris Center provides community-based, behavioral health and substance use support services to those experiencing homelessness across the County. 

The Homeless Outreach Team is a partnership between The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD and the Houston Police Department. The team provides collaborative outreach and engagement services to individuals experiencing homelessness in the City of Houston and connects individuals to PATH and/or other appropriate programs as needed.

Additionally, The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD developed teams such as The Behavioral Health Response Team (BHRT) and the Navigation Center Support Team (NCST). NCST is embedded in the Navigation Center and provides mental health and substance use support services to individuals that have been removed from the streets of Houston during encampment decommissioning. NCST transitions each consumer to the BHRT that acts as an aftercare to the Navigation Support team by providing community based behavioral health and substance use support to individuals exiting the Navigation Center into housing as well as individuals who have been housed through other Way Home housing programs. The goal of these projects is to help individuals maintain housing by developing individualized plans based on the needs of each individual.

• Can you tell us more about the work you do at the Navigation Center and how this partnership came about? 

The Navigation Center Support Team is a program operated by The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD and provides intensive care coordination services, crisis intervention, peer support, and substance use supports for individuals experiencing mental illness or substance use disorders who are temporarily residing at the City of Houston’s Navigation Center. All individuals with identified mental health or substance related concerns are eligible for services. Individuals are referred by Harmony House when they enroll in The Navigation Center. The Navigation Center Support Team works collaboratively with Harmony House and The Coalition for the Homeless on site, as well as all housing agencies connected to the Navigation Center. The team provides both individual and group services to improve mental health and wellness for all individuals at The Navigation Center with the goal of maintaining housing. Once an individual has been enrolled in services for approximately 21 days, a referral to the Behavioral Health Response Team is generated. The Behavioral Health Response Team initiates engagement with individuals while they are still at The Navigation Center to make the transition from the Navigation Center into housing smoother. The goal of both programs is to assist individuals experiencing homelessness with obtaining and maintaining housing. 

• What is something that you wish more people knew about mental health and homelessness? 

I wish people understood the systemic complexities and barriers that limit access to support for individuals experiencing both mental illness and homelessness.  People fear what they don't understand and often perpetuate scenarios that leave the person experiencing homelessness to be predefined simply by their housing status. Not having a safe, stable home does not correlate with someone who is bad or scary, it correlates with a fellow human being needing additional support.  The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD has developed programs ensuring that additional support needed to help unhoused people reach mental wellness is delivered promptly with kindness, compassion and respect. Our goal is to help people find safety, security and peace in both their mental health and in their home. 

• Are there any additional resources you can provide for others to learn more and find ways to help? 

For additional resources, you can visit https://www.theharriscenter.org/. You can also reach out by phone to our 24/7 Crisis Line at 713-970-7000 or you can text us at 832-479-2135 for basic emotional support.