The Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office launched a five-point mental health program on Tuesday, which aims to change emergency psychiatric responses by using treatment-based alternatives and community-based mental health support systems.
Breaking the Jail-to-Crisis Cycle
The program created a new position for rural law enforcement to manage mental health crises, with Brittney Keil now serving as the dedicated mental health officer. The program directs people toward non-law enforcement solutions, which lead them to suitable care services while maintaining public safety. Brittney Keil met with Moulton Police Department Chief Daniel Beyer and Texas State Senator Lois Kolkhorst, who represents District 18, to study the program’s implementation at the state level.
Texas officials understand that mental health emergencies require unique intervention methods that differ from standard police protocols. The Victoria Advocate stated that Kolkhorst backs Texas mental health programs because she wants Lavaca County residents to get appropriate care and compassionate treatment.
Five-Pillar Approach to Crisis Intervention
The program establishes a complete system that provides organized intervention points for managing mental health crises. The program starts with crisis response as its base, which trains mental health deputies to handle emergencies by reducing tension and referring people to Gulf Bend Center mobile crisis teams. The program includes hospital coordination to support the transition process when the Texas Health and Safety Code requires emergency detention orders. The deputies provide respectful transportation to mental health facilities only after medical clearance through established treatment procedures.
“It’s about giving every Lavaca County resident access to the right resources and treating mental health with the same priority as physical health.”
— Brittney Keil, LCSO Mental Health Officer
The jail diversion program identifies people who require treatment instead of incarceration through court and probation department partnerships, which promote rehabilitation and reduce future criminal behavior. The case management system monitors participants through home visits and coordination with probation officers to verify their adherence to treatment plans and medication instructions.
School Partnership Extends Mental Health Safety Net
The school support pillar of the program addresses student and staff mental health emergencies through safe interventions, linking families with the Gulf Bend Center for ongoing care. The program recognizes that educational facilities serve as primary locations for identifying mental health issues in their early stages. The sheriff’s office collaborates with mental health deputies from neighboring counties, regional authorities, and correctional facilities to develop expanded resources and share successful methods. The partnerships work to establish a unified mental health support system that connects different areas across multiple jurisdictions.
Personal Mission Drives Professional Innovation
Keil focuses on building relationships rather than emergency response because she believes every contact with residents presents an opportunity to offer stability and hope to those who need it. Her approach aligns with current law enforcement strategies that focus on community policing and crisis intervention techniques.
Keil explained to The Victoria Advocate that this role requires more than just emergency response, as it involves creating meaningful connections with people to show them their value. The role involves being the critical phone call that stops people from attempting suicide and prevents them from making decisions that change their lives forever.
The mental health officer explained her role as delivering ongoing care through follow-up services to support people who have repeatedly entered and left jail facilities until they achieve stability and hope.
Expanding Mental Health Infrastructure
The Lavaca County program enters the market during a time when Texas and multiple other states face rising mental health requirements but insufficient rural healthcare services. The program’s achievements demonstrate how other rural police departments can adopt this model to handle psychiatric crises differently.
Keil explained to The Victoria Advocate that being a mental health deputy requires providing constant support to people who need someone they can trust and talk to. The deputy uses each emergency response to provide care, rather than just a basic reaction. The sheriff’s office maintains its commitment to training expansion and regional collaboration, which will help the program expand into additional rural areas of Texas with mental health needs.