RIGHT Care team expands to serve children and adolescents
Pilot program responds to adolescent mental health 911 calls in Dallas
Parkland Health has expanded its nationally recognized RIGHT Care program to serve children and adolescents experiencing mental health crises, beginning a six-month pilot for youth ages 10–17 on Feb. 11.
For the first time since the program’s launch, two RIGHT Care teams are dedicated to responding to mental health–related 911 calls involving minors between 3 and 11 p.m. daily. The expansion reflects growing behavioral health needs among young people and the importance of providing specialized, community-based crisis response.
Nationally, youth mental health needs remain significant. According to Mental Health America’s State of Mental Health in America 2025 report, more than 15% of U.S. adolescents ages 12–17 experienced a major depressive episode in the past year, and nearly 3 million youth reported serious thoughts of suicide. While some national indicators show improvement, access to timely mental health care remains limited for many families.
In Texas, youth mental health needs are especially pronounced. The report estimates that more than 450,000 Texas youth experienced a major depressive episode in the past year, and more than 300,000 reported serious thoughts of suicide. Texas also ranks near the bottom nationally for access to mental healthcare, highlighting persistent gaps that can leave families with few options during a crisis.
“When a child or teen is in crisis, families deserve a team trained to assess the situation, de-escalate safely, and connect them to appropriate care,” said Annette Glaz, LCSW, Social Work Manager for RIGHT Care at Parkland.
Launched in 2018, RIGHT Care is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Parkland behavioral health social workers, Dallas Fire-Rescue paramedics, Dallas Police Department officers, and the Dallas 911 call center. The program was designed to divert individuals experiencing mental health emergencies from jails and emergency departments whenever clinically appropriate by stabilizing patients on scene and connecting them to community-based services.
The adolescent pilot will build on that model, with teams specially trained to respond to the unique needs of children and adolescents, including developmental considerations, family dynamics and school-related stressors.
Since launching in February, the pilot has served more than 60 youth, with a focus on on-scene assessment and follow-up support for families. Early data show 37 individuals were diverted from hospital care, and 25 follow-up contacts helped connect families to ongoing services.
“This expansion of the RIGHT Care program reflects our commitment to meeting people where they are, especially our youngest and most vulnerable,” said Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux. “When a child is in crisis, the response must be thoughtful, compassionate and centered on care. By partnering with Parkland and Dallas Fire-Rescue, we are ensuring families have access to the right resources at the right time, while keeping our focus on safety, trust, and long-term support.”
Support for the adolescent pilot is provided through the Parkland Health Foundation, with funds designated to expand access to pediatric mental health services.
“Too often, families call 911 because they don’t know where else to turn,” said Glaz. “This new focus allows us to meet children and teens where they are, reduce trauma during emergencies, and connect them to care that can support long-term stability.”
Parkland will continue to evaluate the pilot program over six months, tracking call volume, outcomes and connections to follow-up care to inform future operations.
For more information about Parkland services, visit www.parklandhealth.org.
For information about Parkland Behavioral Health services, visit www.parklandhealth.org/behavioral-health.
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