Travis County and partners brief committee on Scribe Care diversion pilot; 25‑bed therapeutic diversion center serves jailed individuals

Travis County, the City of Austin, Integral Care and Central Health presented an update on June 4 about the mental health diversion pilot—also called the Scribe Care Diversion pilot—explaining the pilot’s two main components, projected costs and early results.

The pilot includes (1) psychiatric emergency services (PES) expanded to 24/7 to provide a clinical triage and drop-off location for first responders and (2) a 25‑bed Therapeutic Diversion Program (TDP), a shelter-designated respite that opened October 7, 2024, and accepts voluntary residents for up to 90 days.

Travis County staff summarized projected pilot costs through FY27: they estimated about $11.4 million for TDP and nearly $15 million for PES over the pilot period. Funding partners outlined contributions the county listed in its overview: Travis County committed about $6 million; the City of Austin has a total planned contribution of $2 million in FY26/FY27 (one $1 million city contract and a $1 million amount reflected in the county contract as part of a funding swap); Central…