Behavioral Health Services

Stepping up Initiative: Bureau of Justice Assistance

Fort Bend County Behavioral Health Services received a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) in October of 2019 to be part of the Stepping Up Initiative. As part of the Fort Bend County Justice Mental Health Collaborative: Stepping Up, we are working to develop and implement a collaborative county approach to reduce the prevalence of individuals with serious mental illness in the jail. Our goals are to strengthen Fort Bend County’s collaborative approaches to:

• Reduce the number of people with mental illness (MI)/ co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse (CMISA) in the jail
• Decrease their average length of stay in jail
• Improve connections to treatment
• Lower recidivism rates

The Stepping Up Initiative moves away from programs and pilots; instead, it focuses on data-driven strategies to produce measurable outcomes. The Fort Bend County Justice and Mental Health Collaborative (FBCJMHC) targets data integration, by pulling together magistrate data, jail records, and other information within the justice system. Analyzing the data will lead to systematic improvements in identification of mental illnesses in jails, quantification of the widespread problem, and allows for implementation of successful strategies throughout the county.

The FBCJMHC includes a jail diversion coordinator, within BHS Department, to assist with connection with services, with the goal of reducing the length of incarceration and recidivism.

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Scan QR Code or Fill Out Referral Form: https://form.fortbendcountytx.gov/Behavioral_Health_Services_Referral.html

For questions or assistance, please call: 281-238-3079

Questions and Inquiries: BHSdept@fbcx.gov

Learn More

General Hotlines

DFPS Texas Youth Helpline

• Number to Text or Call: 1-800-989-6884
• Website to Chat: http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/youth-helpline/
• This Helpline provides a call and chat service 24/7 for kids, teens, parents, and guardians. They will listen to what youth in crisis are experiencing and help them see all of their options, reminding them that there are still opportunities for things to change. They offer low-cost/ no-cost referrals for more resources, messaging services for runaway youth, free rides home for runaway youth, and action planning for self-improvement. 99% of the time, calls are immediately answered.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

• Number: 1-800-273-8255/ 1-800-273-TALK
• The Lifeline is free, confidential, and always available (24/7). Anyone can call the lifeline to help a loved one, a friend, and themselves. Community crisis centers will answer the calls, and they are equipped to handle crisis calls. They may reach out to local community resources to aid the individual, if needed, and they will provide any resources requested.

COVID-19 24/7 Mental Health Support Line (English and Spanish Speakers, for all of Texas)

• Number: 832-255-6715
• This number connects Texans with mental health professionals that listen and offer resources to help them. The Support Line provides trauma-informed support and psychological first aid to people who are currently going though COVID-19 related stress and anxiety. This is a 24/7, confidential, and free service for all of Texas.

Texans Recovering Together COVID-19 Line (English and Spanish Speakers)

• Number: 936-521-6331
• This line provides services to families that have been affected by COVID-19 in many Texas counties, including Fort Bend County. They offer 6 free counseling sessions with professionals, as well as referrals to Social Services, Job and Legal Assistance, Transportation, and Medical Care. The Line is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM CST, and it will only be available until January 2022.

School District Resources

*This resource includes a Hotline for students, provided by the district

Fort Bend ISD

• https://www.fortbendisd.com/Page/133209 (Student Resources)
• *https://www.fortbendisd.com/Page/133208 (Parent Resources)

Katy ISD

• *https://katyisd.org/dept/counseling/Pages/Psychological-Services.aspx (Psychological Services)
• https://www.katyisd.org/dept/sped/operatingguidelines/Pages/Counseling-and-Psychological-Services.aspx (Counseling and Psychological Services provided by the district)

Lamar ISD

• https://www.lcisd.org/news/2020/04/29/lamar-cisd-mental-health-resources (Spanish and English list for Mental Health Resources)
• https://www.lcisd.org/campuses/lamarchs/about/counselor's-corner (helpful links to keep you safe)
• https://www.lcisd.org/campuses/specialsites/resources/mental-health-medical-resources (Mental Health and Medical Resources)
• *https://www.lcisd.org/students-parents/bullying-child-safety (Bullying, Safety, and Crisis Resources)

Needville ISD

• https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/984324/wellness_policy_nisd.pdf (PDF of Student Wellness Plan: including food, nutrition, and physical activity)
• https://www.needvilleisd.com/page/nisd-health-services (Health Services Department site)

Stafford ISD

• https://www.staffordschools.net/domain/5163 (Emotional, Social, and Mental Health Resources)
• https://www.staffordmsd.org/student-life/health-wellness (Health and Wellness departmental info.)
• https://www.staffordmsd.org/student-life/counseling (Counseling for specific grades in the school)

Fort Bend County Resources

myFBC App

• Link to download: https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/information-technology/myfbc
• This app allows the county residents to communicate with the county government in a “better, effective, and more efficient manner.” The app includes features, such as paying county taxes, seeing court and jury information, requesting public records, submitting complaints to departments, COVID-19 updates, and voting information. It can also be translates into 100+ languages, making the app accessible to all.

Fort Bend County Behavioral Health Services

• Website Link: https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/bh
• The department was created to assist in addressing the needs of those with mental illness who come into contact with our justice system.  Over the years, Behavioral Health Services has expanded to begin to address those in the community who are high-risk of involvement in the justice system.

“As we all know there is increased anxiety and worry about the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) on our lives. We worry about the impact on our families, ourselves and our community. Managing the anxiety and worry is important.

The fear and anxiety can be overwhelming at times and may impact our ability to take care of our daily responsibilities. Each one of us will react differently based on our own history, coping strategies and nature of our “worries”. We need to be aware that some of this anxiety and worry is “situational” and with healthy coping strategies such as : eating right, getting enough sleep, stay connected with our support systems, engaging in physical activity, and keeping things in perspective, we can manage the anxiety. However, we also need to be mindful and aware that we may need additional supports and even professional help if the feelings become overwhelming. “

- Dr. M. Connie Almeida, Director of Behavioral Health Services

Fort Bend County Behavioral Health Services

COVID-19 and Your Mental Health

Fort Bend County

Resource Line

During these times of uncertainty, it is likely that individuals will be experiencing excessive anxiety / worry and other mental wellbeing concerns and have questions about mental health resources, please call

281-238-3079

Calls answered Monday thru Friday:  8:00am to 5:00pm

 Resources:

1. Managing Fears and Anxiety around Coronavirus [Word]
2. Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope [PDF]
3. Techniques to Reduce Anxiety [Word]
4. Children's Coronavirus Sketchbook [PDF]

SOURCE: A Diversion Program for Adolescents

Successful Outcomes Using Resiliency for Child Empowerment

The goal of the SOURCE program is to assist, empower, and provide alternatives to adolescents (ages 11-19) and families with behavioral health needs. We service youth with mental illnesses, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and substance abuse, who are at risk of being involved, or are currently involved in the juvenile justice system.

SOURCE seeks to decrease barriers and assist youth and families with appropriate services to meet their needs. Our goal is to work collaboratively with families to reduce risks, build strengths and resiliency, and support the youth of Fort Bend County.

Follow-up Services: Staying connected with youth and families after discharge from the program is a critical part of our program. Follow up services are provided to the youth and families at various intervals up to one year to assess post discharge functioning and assist with additional services if needed.

SOURCE is:

SOURCE provides:

• Family and Youth Intervention
• Clinical Assessments
• Education and Outreach
• Care Coordination
• Wrap-Around Services

ReferralUpdate06.2023.jpg

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Scan QR Code or Fill Out Referral Form: https://form.fortbendcountytx.gov/Behavioral_Health_Services_Referral.html

For questions or assistance, please call: 281-238-3079

Questions and Inquiries: BHSdept@fbcx.gov