San Antonio Invests in Mental Health and Animal Care Services

Published on May 18, 2023

City of San Antonio Invests More Funding in Mental Health Emergency Services and Animal Care Services

SAN ANTONIO (May 18, 2023) – San Antonio residents will soon have access to more Animal Care Services support and more multi-disciplinary response teams to address emergency mental health calls for service. Today, the City Council unanimously approved increased funding for these programs through a mid-year budget adjustment.

“The City is expanding access to critical services for our residents with these mid-year improvements. We’re adding resources to support residents who call 911 and are experiencing a mental health crisis. Additionally, the resources being added to Animal Care Services will help address dangerous dogs in San Antonio’s neighborhoods,” said City Manager Erik Walsh. “I’d like to thank the City Council, City staff, external partners and most importantly our residents who helped bring these improvements to fruition through their dedicated work and feedback.”

San Antonio Community Outreach and Resiliency Effort (SA CORE)

The City is also expanding the successful San Antonio Community Outreach and Resiliency Effort (SA CORE) program to bring services city-wide. The SA CORE team is made up of a team of a clinician, paramedic and police officer respond to 911 mental health calls. Together, this team compassionately responds to these calls for service by securing the scene, while a clinician and paramedic address physical and mental health concerns. The team transports and/or connects the patient with services and follows up regularly with the patient.

The mid-year budget expands the program from one to three teams, which will provide coverage from the Central San Antonio area to cover the entire city limits. SA CORE began as a pilot program in April of 2022. These investments will bring on board six clinicians through the Center for Healthcare Services, along with two follow up clinicians who support the ongoing recovery of the patient, as well as six paramedics and one fire lieutenant. Six police officers and one sergeant are also part of the SA CORE team.

During the first year, the team responded to 1,465 calls for service, of which 35% were resolved on scene, 28% provided emergency mental health care services through emergency detention and 13% were voluntarily transported for behavioral hospital, outpatient clinic, social needs or EMS transport services. In 2022, there were more than 32,000 mental health related calls placed to 911. 

Animal Care Services

The City of San Antonio will invest more than $848,000 to begin implementing key elements of the Animal Care Services (ACS) strategic plan. The strategic plan was developed with City Council, residents, ACS partners and staff input. 

These funds will expand the department’s field apprenticeship program to boost enforcement efforts while providing new officers with on-the-job training. As the apprentices progress in their new career path, veteran officers will be moved into new roles, including bite investigations and dangerous dog enforcement. The City will also provide more no-cost spay and neuter surgeries for San Antonio pet owners as well as boost shelter support with expanded hours in the Animal Care Services adoption center and kennels. 

In addition, ACS will participate in a transport partnership program to help increase adoptions of pets who are in their care. Funds will also be used on a comprehensive education and marketing campaign focused on humane pet care.

The City of San Antonio is currently developing its Fiscal Year 2024 Proposed Budget. Residents are invited to share input on the budget by visiting saspeakup.com/sabudget2024.