City officials have announced the launch of an expanded Community Assistance, Response, and Engagement (CARE) Team, a program designed to respond to mental health crises and homelessness with a “care-first” model that prioritizes treatment over enforcement.
The updated CARE Team pairs behavioral health professionals with paramedics to respond to behavioral health emergencies, homelessness episodes, and emotionally charged situations.
Police will serve in a supporting role, while Fire/EMS will be dispatched only when medical stabilization is required.
Mayor Rachel L. Proctor said the program reflects DeSoto’s commitment to compassionate and equitable public safety.
“The enhanced CARE Team reflects our community’s values — compassion, accountability, and equity,” Proctor said. “We are creating a stronger, more responsive approach for our community.”
City leaders say the approach is intended to divert nonviolent, crisis-related 911 calls away from traditional law enforcement and toward trained responders who can connect residents with services such as counseling, housing, peer support, and case management.
“This is not a new program — it’s a new mindset,” City Manager Majed Al-Ghafry said. “With the revamped CARE Team, we are prioritizing dignity, safety, and long-term solutions for those who need help the most.”
In addition to on-the-ground crisis response, the team will work with local hospitals, Dallas County agencies, and nonprofit organizations to ensure continued care after an incident.
That includes access to housing programs, behavioral health treatment, and peer-led reintegration support.
The city said the model responds directly to residents’ priorities, including reducing over-policing of vulnerable populations, improving culturally competent care, and building trust between public safety systems and the community.
The program will be evaluated using performance measures such as the percentage of 911 calls diverted from police and EMS, the number of residents connected to long-term services, repeat call rates, response times, and participant satisfaction.
Officials said these metrics will be shared publicly to ensure transparency and accountability.
The CARE Team initiative marks a significant shift in how DeSoto addresses mental health and homelessness.
City leaders said the goal is to ensure every resident in crisis is met with compassion, dignity, and a clear path to recovery.
For more information, visit desotocareteam.org.
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