DART Cares
Established in November 2023, DART Cares is a partnership between Parkland Health and the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Police Department. The program brings together law enforcement and behavioral health professionals to help people experiencing a mental health or behavioral health crisis.
How It Works
DART Cares currently has three teams. Each team includes a DART Police Officer and a Parkland Social Worker.
Parkland Social Workers are licensed professionals who provide behavioral health assessments, crisis support and help connecting people to care and community resources.
Working together in the field, DART Police Officers and Parkland Social Workers can respond to people in crisis and help connect them with the right level of care.
Connecting People to Care
DART Cares helps people find services that meet their individual needs. This may include behavioral health care, health care, social services or other community resources.
The goal is to provide support as early as possible and help people find services that can support their health and well-being over the long term.
Where We Respond
DART Cares responds to incidents across the DART system. Teams focus on areas where data shows a higher number of behavioral health-related emergencies.
By responding where help is needed most, DART Cares can provide timely support to people experiencing a crisis.
Our Impact
DART Cares helps people in crisis get connected to the right care while also reducing the need for emergency resources.
The program can help reduce the demand on law enforcement, fire-rescue teams and emergency departments, allowing these resources to focus on other emergencies.
What's Next
In FY27, DART Cares will expand from three to four teams. This growth will increase the program's ability to reach and support people experiencing behavioral health crises across the DART system.