HAYS COUNTY — While Hays County’s Mental Health Court (MHC) is continuing to make an impact, more resources are being allocated to provide the necessary services for a growing caseload.

During its June 6 meeting, the Hays County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a $25,000 mental health services contract with Deblin Health Concepts & Associates, LLC for the County Court at Law Mental Health Specialty program. This provider offers Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) services to support clients who are unhoused, have severe and complex mental health, substance use and social needs; and who may otherwise not be eligible to receive services through the program as it is currently structured, according to agenda documents.

Services would include intensive case management, frequent psychiatry appointments, nursing and medication management and counseling for clients who have extremely high mental health needs.

“[This will serve] those individuals cycling in and out of jails, hospitals, are unhoused and just more vulnerable individuals who need a lot more support in the community,” said Mental Health Court Administrator Kaimi Mattila. “This specific entity can provide all levels of care, including those higher-need individuals. Currently, we are not able to serve those individuals how it’s structured right now, even if they meet the criteria for the court, because we don’t have the services to support them.”

Entering into the contract will enable the MHC to expand services and allow more higher-need clients to receive the care they need, Mattila added.

County Judge Ruben Becerra said that the contract will help with outsourcing costs.

“This will help us save money. Last week, we spent $138,510 on outsourcing alone,” he said. “This will nibble on that front … This contract is a very big plus for us for the holistic approach of the effort.”

The service contract is financed through American Rescue Plan Act funds.

About the MHC

Following several years of dedicated work with county commissioners, filling positions and garnering state approval, the MHC was officially established in 2022.

It is a 12-month, three-phased specialized treatment court designed to address the unique needs of individuals with mental health, substance use and intellectual/developmental disability (IDD) disorders who are also facing pending legal charges. The court provides a structured link between treatment, rehabilitation, social support services and the criminal justice system to promote self-sufficiency, accountability, holistic wellness, empowerment and successful recovery.

Defendants may be eligible for the MHC if they have an active misdemeanor case and are diagnosed with a mental health, substance use or IDD disorder, according to the court’s website. If there is a felony case pending, this is something that would need to be discussed and negotiated between the prosecution and legal counsel and agreed upon.

The eligibility criteria are listed below:

• Resident of Hays County (case-by-case basis if out of county)

• 17 years of age or older

• Diagnosed with a mental health disorder such as Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Substance use disorders and intellectual and developmental disabilities are also diagnoses that are considered for MHC.

• Misdemeanor offense(s)

• Link between the mental health/substance use/IDD disorder and the current offense

• Assaultive offenses will be considered on a case-by-case basis

• No past or current charge of a sex offense

• No substantial history of violent offenses

• Competent

• Pre- or Post-Adjudication

For more information about MHC, including referral details, visit www.hayscountytx.com/courts/hays-county-mental-health-court or contact Mental Health Court Administrator Kaimi Mattila at 512-757-0795.