Changes in the MHMRA Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) Services

[Systems of Hope]

The Community Resource Coordination Group (CRCG) had a special
presentation from Jenny Johnson from the MHMRA Mobile Crisis Outreach
Team (MCOT). The following information was provided.

The program provides short-term crisis services with the goal of
preventing incarceration or hospitalization of clients. They are
hoping that their program will be the first stop before a visit to the
Neuro-Psych Center (NPC). MCOT typically sees the client up to two
times per week. There are 25 employees, one full-time child
psychiatrist and two part-time psychiatrists. MCOT is no longer
available on weekends. MCOT will not respond to situations that
appear to involve violence. In those cases, the Crisis Intervention
Response Team (CIRT) is utilized. The CIRT team includes an HPD
officer who has received specialized training in how to handle mental
health issues. The officer is accompanied by a therapist. The CIRT
team is available throughout Harris County and CIRT can transport
individuals to the hospital against their will. An additional team,
the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) involves a police officer
responding without a therapist present. The officer may consult with
the MCOT team to determine whether the individual should be
transported to the hospital. Referral forms for MCOT services cannot
be sent through e-mail. They must be faxed or phoned in.

If you would like a copy of the MCOT referral form, please email me at
tammy....@cps.hctx.net and I will be happy to send you one.

Have a great day,
Tammy