2021 Top 25 Innovators Wayne Young

Over a 10-year period, the Houston Police Department saw a 114% rise in calls that were associated with a mental health concern. Looking to provide a more healthcare-centered response, Young and his team launched the Clinician and Officer Remote Evaluation program—CORE—in 2017. It is a partnership between the Harris Center, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and the Houston Police Department. When responding to a 911 call that involves a mental health need, Harris Center clinicians provide an assessment to determine the appropriate level of care, such as hospitalization or dispatching a mobile crisis team. A review from the University of Houston found that the program resulted in 42% of calls being resolved at the scene, 73% of deputies said the clinicians helped them de-escalate the situation and less than 1% of those getting support from the program ended up going to jail.