How It Started
In May of 2021, the City of DeSoto was awarded the Dallas County New Directions Public Safety Grant. This grant was created to address the crisis of criminalization, mental health, poverty, and homelessness by utilizing alternatives to police response and incarceration to more appropriately address the needs of Dallas County residents. DeSoto proposed the pilot of a Regional CARE Team composed of Team Lead Police Officers from each identified city, working alongside Care Coordinators, Licensed Social Service Providers, and Victim’s Assistance Coordinators all under one roof.
What We Do
The DeSoto Care Team is a dedicated multi-disciplinary crisis response unit that addresses 911 calls related to homelessness and behavioral health, prioritizing the needs of people over protocol and offering compassionate care rather than control. Our mission is to provide an equitable, person-centered crisis response that enhances public health and safety while fostering long-term stability for individuals and families in need. As a free resource available to DeSoto residents, we aim to support those experiencing behavioral health challenges and their families or support systems in accessing, navigating, understanding, and utilizing the appropriate community resources.