WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE MOU FOR MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR, BRIEFED ON PILOT PROGRAM AT JAIL

  

Washington County is moving forward in its efforts to improve the mental health of Washington County Jail inmates.

Commissioners at their meeting today (Tuesday) approved a memorandum between the Sheriff’s Office and MHMR Authority of Brazos Valley, to provide a Mental Health Counselor at the jail.

Back in April, commissioners approved the creation of the position, which will provide screening, crisis and case management services for inmates booked into jail, regarding mental health and/or mental impairment issues.  Sheriff’s Captain Eric Hensley said this position is “very needed in the jail”.

Commissioner Joy Fuchs said the MHMR will provide one of its employees to serve in the position, which will ensure there is at least one full-time employee to evaluate inmates who might have mental illness.

Cpt. Hensley also announced the jail is working on doing a partnership with a Texas A&M University psychologist, who will come perform a one-year pilot program at the county jail.  He said the psychologist will interview and talk with some of the jail’s mentally health-challenged inmates, at no cost to the county.  He said he plans to meet with Texas A&M staff later this month to discuss setting up the program at the jail.

Also in court, commissioners approved:

• A professional services agreement with Public Sector Personnel Consultants, Inc., to conduct a compensation study. Durrenberger said the wage study should take approximately 90-120 days.
• A renewal bond for County Engineer Ross McCall.
• Formal notice for three proposed utility lines. The first is from GeoSouthern Chalk II, LLC, for a temporary water line within county right-of-way of Old Landua Road, Rehburg Road, Beaver Road and Haack Road in Precinct Three.  The second, from Industry Telephone Company, is for an underground placement of telephone and inner-duct line with county right-of-way of Dead End Lane in Precinct Four.  The third is from AMP Texas Pipelines, LLC, and is for a natural gas pipeline within county right-of-way of Winedale Road, Kieke Road, Boundary School Road and Jaeger Road in Precinct Four.