Commissioners approve youth crisis outreach team MOU to link courts and Emergence Health Network
Summary
The court approved a memorandum of understanding with Emergence Health Network and Justice of the Peace/Constable Precinct 1 to implement a Youth Crisis Outreach Team model aimed at diverting youth from truancy and connecting families to mental‑health services; the program is set to begin Sept. 29, 2025.
The El Paso County Commissioners Court on Dec. 15 approved an interlocal memorandum of understanding to implement a Youth Crisis Outreach Team (YCOT) model with Emergence Health Network, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 and Constable Precinct 1.
Judge Pearson and Constable representatives described the program as targeted to children ages 3–17 who appear in truancy or other juvenile proceedings and who may be experiencing mental‑health crises. Jacqueline Baya, director of crisis services at Emergence Health Network, said the collaboration will provide case management, therapy, and family advocacy and that constable referrals will help identify youth in need.
“Our program is targeted to assist the youth between the ages of 3 to 17,” Baya said, adding the initiative will extend services to families and help reduce justice‑system involvement driven by unrecognized mental‑health needs.
Constable leadership noted deputies are currently receiving Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) certifications and additional mental‑health training, and the MOU establishes a specialist to attend truancy court sessions as an immediate referral and assessment resource. The court approved the MOU (Contract 20250881) by motion; the vote was recorded as carried.
Commissioners praised the partnership as aligned with county goals to expand mental‑health responses and explore countywide expansion via the Promise program and governor’s office funding. The court directed staff to proceed with implementation steps outlined in the MOU.
