Through a groundbreaking initiative aimed at improving access to mental health care and supporting first responders, the City of Carrollton, Metrocare, and Metrocrest Services have successfully implemented the first year of collaboration through the new Navigator Program.

This partnership, championed by Carrollton City Council, addresses the growing need for mental health resources in emergency situations and recognizes that many law enforcement calls involve individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. The Navigator Program equips first responders with the tools and training needed to identify individuals in mental health distress during emergency calls and offers them an avenue to submit referrals for mental health support directly to Metrocare.

Metrocare, the largest provider of mental health services in Dallas County, has a dedicated team of experienced qualified mental health professionals (“Navigators”) who can be deployed, when appropriate, to assess the situations and provide on-site support. Metrocare’s Navigators will not only assist in the immediate response but will also provide essential follow-up care and connections to community resources, such as Metrocrest Services, ensuring a continuum of care for everyone in the program. “The City of Carrollton is committed to providing first responders every tool available when responding to crises and keeping the community safe,” says Rex Redden, Executive Director of Public Safety for Carrollton. “Our responders do an outstanding job at the scene of emergency situations, but individuals in mental health distress often require ongoing care, which is where the Navigator Program comes in. This partnership reflects our commitment to finding innovative solutions for the challenges faced by our community, residents, and law enforcement officers. We’re excited to see the positive impact this collaboration has already made.”

Launched in February 2024, Metrocare received nearly 100 referrals to the Navigator program by the end of the year. Metrocare’s Navigators operate out of the City of Carrollton Police Department and Metrocrest Services Campus—two locations in the heart of Carrollton, offering quick access to support “Metrocrest Services is dedicated to supporting the well-being of our community by offering services aimed at addressing gaps in finances, employment, and nutrition, with the goal of building a healthier community,” says Tracy Eubanks, CEO of Metrocrest Services. “However, we recognized that mental health services were a critical missing piece, and have persistently advocated for those services to be more accessible here. We’re incredibly proud to be a part of this collaboration.”

In January 2024, Carrollton City Council approved funds for the creation of the Navigator Program. Since the program’s inception, Carrollton’s Mental Health Navigator has helped guide patients and their loved ones, make referrals, and follow up to ensure patients are able to access the resources they need. The program’s long-term goal, in addition to supporting individuals in crisis, is to lessen the number of repeat mental health calls that police officers and firefighters respond to.

“We are deeply grateful to the City of Carrollton for leading the way with this groundbreaking initiative, setting the standard for collaboration between law enforcement and mental health professionals,” says Dr. John Burruss, CEO of Metrocare. “This initiative represents a shift in the way mental health emergencies are addressed in the community—prioritizing care, compassion, and collaboration.”

For more information on Metrocare, click here. For more information on the City of Carrollton, click here.