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Council approves grant partnership with PermianCare to add two mental‑health co‑responder teams
Summary
Odessa approved an agreement with Permian Basin Community Centers (PermianCare) to place two mental‑health co‑responder teams — each pairing a police officer and a social worker/qualified mental‑health professional — funded largely by a $472,498 grant with a $144,146 local match.
The Odessa City Council on April 22 approved an agreement with Permian Basin Community Centers (PermianCare) to provide two mental‑health co‑responder teams to the city’s crisis response operations.
Chief Kirkey and PermianCare representatives said the program will pair a police officer with a social worker and a qualified mental‑health professional to respond to crisis calls that require behavioral‑health expertise. The project is supported by a state grant (described in the meeting as a mental‑health grant for justice‑involved individuals administered by Texas Health and Human Services) with a grant amount of $472,498 and a required local match the city estimated at $144,146. City staff and finance officials said much of the match is met by using existing city vehicles and personnel costs, and that the net additional cash impact would be limited.
PermianCare CEO Chris Barnhill said the organization has pursued co‑responder programs for several years and that the new teams would reduce critical incidents by bringing behavioral‑health professionals to appropriate calls. The council discussed training, staffing and whether existing officers would fill the roles; Chief Kirkey said the city will use current officers to start and will ensure they complete the required mental‑health training before assignment.
City finance staff said the grant was a "rush" opportunity but that they could identify vehicles and some equipment to count toward the match without a net budget increase; the council unanimously approved the agreement.
Ending: The city will proceed to finalize the agreement with PermianCare, update the contract to correct administrative details noted by PermianCare, and begin recruitment/training plans for the two co‑responder teams so they may begin responding under the grant timetable.
