Mental Health Intervention Team

MISSION STATEMENT:

  • To promote and support the mental health and well-being of CFISD students, families, staff members and community through prevention, intervention, and safety.

OVERVIEW:

  • In 2018-19, the Board of Trustees and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Henry, implemented the districts first ever Mental Health Intervention Team. Through collaborations and partnerships amongst three different departments within CFISD, Guidance and Counseling, Psychological Services, and the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Police Department the district Mental Health Intervention Team was formed.

    The Mental Health Intervention Team is comprised of four Licensed Professional Counselors, two Licensed Psychologists, and two Mental Health Police Officers. This unique and creative team was established for the purpose of developing a more proactive, targeted, and safe approach to dealing with mental health issues in our district.

MENTAL HEALTH OFFICER ROLE:

  • The Mental Health Officers assigned to the Mental Health Intervention Team have received specialized training and are certified through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) as Mental Health Peace Officers. The officers attend multiple trainings and conferences throughout the school year to further advance their training and understanding of mental health.

    In their role on the Mental Health Intervention Team, the officers work daily to respond to crisis, as well as provide consultation and training to district staff and parents. They have also been tasked to establish partnerships with local community mental health providers including the mental health authority for Harris County, The Harris Center. The officers have also worked to form a partnership between CFISD Police Department and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, who advocates and provides support for families and individuals who are affected by a mental illness, to bring a free support group to CFISD families.