The Expanded Mobile Crisis Outreach Team’s contract renewal includes reduced funding after voters rejected Proposition Q last year.
AUSTIN, Texas — Integral Care’s Expanded Mobile Crisis Outreach Team will continue providing 24/7 mental health crisis response services after the Austin City Council approved a contract renewal last month.
The program, known as EMCOT, partners with local first responders to support people experiencing mental health emergencies.
The renewal comes with reduced funding following voters’ rejection of Proposition Q last year. The measure would have increased the city’s property tax rate to expand homelessness, public safety and health initiatives.
According to Integral Care officials, the EMCOT model was created in collaboration with public safety agencies to better serve individuals in crisis. By deploying trained mental health professionals to complex psychiatric emergencies, the team aims to shorten response times for police and EMS while improving outcomes for people in distress.
EMCOT clinicians are also embedded directly in Austin’s 911 call center. In fiscal year 2025, officials told KVUE the team handled more than 3,800 calls, freeing up police from having to respond to more than 90% of those calls.
Licensed professional clinician Robin Hendershot said the goal is to provide care that avoids unnecessary arrests or emergency room visits.
“We’re trying to do things that overall like improve the quality of care from the beginning of the interaction to the end point where the person is getting the treatment that they need,” she explained.
For fiscal year 2026, the program received about $2 million from the city, down from its original $3 million allocation due to the failure of Prop Q. Even with the reduction, officials told KVUE the funding is enough to maintain round‑the‑clock operations.
Marisa Malik, Director of Crisis Services and Justice Initiatives at Integral Care, said the renewed support will allow the team to expand in key areas.
“We are very excited that we will be able to continue those services,” Malik said. “That funding is also allowing us to provide additional support within our team to include, increased peer support services, increased crisis follow up services, and adding more clinicians to our shifts.”
Malik said the approved funding ensures EMCOT can continue offering 24‑hour crisis response through the end of the fiscal year.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, Integral Care operates a 24/7 helpline at 512‑472‑HELP (4357).