Court approves $4.82M contract with Center for Healthcare Services for mental‑health diversion and reentry services
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Summary
The Commissioners Court authorized a fiscal‑year contract with Center for Healthcare Services to support diversion, assisted outpatient treatment and reintegration programs; court members discussed prior invoice timing and asked staff to ensure future reimbursements are timely.
The Bexar County Commissioners Court on Sept. 9 approved a $4,823,614 contract with the Center for Healthcare Services (CHCS) to cover mental‑health support services for the fiscal year, County Public Health Director Dr. Andrea Guerrero told the court.
County leaders and CHCS representatives described the contract as funding services that divert people with serious mental illness from incarceration, support assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) and facilitate community reintegration. Sheriff Salazar and multiple judges appeared in the public presentation endorsing the program’s contributions to reduced jail use and community service projects.
Discussion at the dais focused on payment timing. Several commissioners raised concerns about late payments to CHCS during the previous fiscal year and asked for contract language that requires clearer invoice reconciliation and timely reimbursement going forward. County officials told the court they are negotiating a new contract structure for the coming year that will include reimbursement clauses and more explicit payment procedures to avoid prolonged arrears. The county auditor said approved invoices will be paid promptly after execution of the current contract.
Why it matters: Mental‑health diversion programs aim to reduce incarceration among individuals with behavioral‑health needs while preserving public safety and reducing costs. County officials noted the Bear Gives Back and similar programs produce taxpayer savings and community benefit.
Vote: Commissioner Clay Flores moved to approve the CHCS contract; Commissioner Rodriguez seconded. The motion carried on voice vote; no recorded opposition was noted.
Provenance: The CHCS presentation and contract vote are recorded beginning at transcript block 10271.76 and the vote concluded at about 10756.84.
