North Texas, TX
North Texas Behavioral Health Authority
Texas
Urban | Population: 3,318,607
The Critical Time Intervention (CTI) Program, developed by the North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA), is changing how communities address substance use and co-occurring disorders. Focused on individuals transitioning from Dallas County jails or participating in the Dallas Deflects jail diversion program, CTI provides intensive case management and a bridge to recovery. By prioritizing early intervention and community collaboration, this program is transforming lives and offering hope to those most vulnerable to opioid overdose and substance misuse.
A Proactive Approach to Combat the Opioid Epidemic
44
individuals have received tailored intensive case management since 2021
With funding from a 2021 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) grant, CTI ensures individuals receive immediate support through a “warm hand-off” to community services, beginning at the point of referral and continuing through reintegration. The CTI team consists of a Fieldwork Coordinator/Team Lead and three CTI Workers. Because of the complexity of participant needs, caseloads for CTI team members are capped at 20 individuals. Each participant works closely with a dedicated CTI Team Member who provides comprehensive support, from attending appointments to establishing long-term care networks.
Program Domains
housing
finances
Family
social network
Living skills
treatment
Person-Centered Care That Transforms Lives
Individuals are referred to the CTI team through the Dallas Deflection Center and the North Texas Behavioral Health Authority’s Living Room. Upon referral, the CTI Team Member meets the individual in the community to establish rapport and invites them to participate.
Once enrolled, the CTI Team Member connects the individual to appropriate service providers, accompanies the individual to appointments, and helps establish a support network that will remain after completion of the program.
The nine-month program focuses on six domains: housing, benefits/finances, family, social network, living skills, and substance use disorder/mental health treatment. Telehealth services are provided for rural participants.
Collaborative Partnerships That Drive Change
CTI’s success is built on collaboration across multiple sectors, including law enforcement agencies, hospitals, behavioral health organizations, and housing providers. These partnerships ensure participants receive tailored care that addresses their unique needs while promoting seamless transitions back into their communities. Such cross-agency coordination mirrors broader efforts nationwide to create integrated systems of care for individuals battling addiction.
Program Outcomes That Inspire Hope
Since its inception in 2021, CTI has delivered remarkable results:
44 individuals served, each receiving intensive case management tailored to their unique needs
Reduced reliance on hospitalization and police intervention for participants
Strengthened pathways for recovery through community-based services
These outcomes demonstrate CTI’s ability to transform lives while addressing systemic challenges posed by the opioid epidemic.
“I am so thankful that you and your agency have stuck around for as long as you must to help me. No one has ever given me this much support. Everyone has run from me… My family did, and that is why I was homeless. I don’t blame them, but it hurt, and it still hurts… There is no greater level of hurt that I have felt in this lifetime than being alone without family.
Now, my mom invites me home to have a meal and wash my clothes. When I arrive, she gives me a hug. I have her back in my life again. I am so thankful that you did not give up on me. I am so grateful, and I wish everyone had this.”
—program graduate
A Vision for Sustainability
As NTBHA prepares for the final year of its Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) funding, the CTI program aims to expand referral pathways for justice-involved individuals while nurturing relationships with collaborators and community providers. By seeking long-term sustainability beyond grant funding, CTI is committed to continuing its vital work for this vulnerable population, ensuring no individual is left behind in their journey toward recovery.
Collaborative Partners
North Texas Behavioral Health Authority
Dallas County Government
Dallas County District Attorney's Office
Dallas County Jail
Homeward Bound, Inc.
Project Director
Shannon Vogel, Director of Grant Development and Implementation
North Texas Behavioral Health Authority
svogel@ntbha.org
469-299-9389
This project was supported by Grant No. 15PBJA23GK02258COAP awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.