Holistic Assistance Response Team (HART)
The Holistic Assistance Response Team (HART) is a program of Harris County Public Health (HCPH). HART consists of teams of behavioral health and emergency medical personnel who respond to social welfare, behavioral health, and medical calls. To be eligible for HART, a call must be non-violent and have no criminal nexus.

HART personnel have the expertise to respond to behavioral health and medical calls freeing law enforcement to focus their time on violent crime. 80% of people surveyed believe behavioral health professionals should be the primary first responders to calls involving mental health crises.

Although HART is a non-law enforcement program, the HCSO played a pivotal role in its development and implementation. HCSO will remain involved by: having a role in training HART personnel, directing HART calls that come through the HCSO Emergency Communications Center, facilitating occasional interaction and assistance between HART members and deputies in the field.

HART is the new fourth branch of the Harris County 911 system. The program was implemented as a pilot in HCSO District 1 on March 21, 2022.
HART Vehicle
Meet The HART Management Team
Lupe M. Washington, MS
Director
Harris County Public Health
Lupe M. Washington serves as the Division Director for Community Health and Violence Prevention Services (CHVPS) at the Harris County Public Health Department. The Division oversees the Holistic Assistance Response Team (HART) as well as community-based and hospital-based violence interruption programs. Prior to joining Harris County Public Health, Ms. Washington served as the Assistant Executive Director for Brazos County Juvenile Services. As the Assistant Director, she was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department and had direct supervision of seven directors.

Ms. Washington began her career in juvenile justice at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) where she worked for over 16 years. Throughout her tenure at HCJPD, she served as Intensive Supervision Officer, Gang Supervision Officer, Supervisor/Agency Representative, Court Administrator, and Administrator of Public Affairs and Information.

Ms. Washington earned her Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) and her Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies and Psychology from Mount Holyoke College. She volunteers her time as the Board Secretary of POWER on Heels Fund, Inc. (a nonprofit organization that focuses on advancing Latinas in their professional and economic growth). 
Maggie Sun, MPA
Project Manager
Harris County Public Health
Before joining HCPH, Maggie served as the Director of Social Services at the Chinese Community Center in southwest Houston, where she led a multicultural/multilingual social services department. She was responsible for 15 specialized staff across eight programs ranging from benefits enrollment, housing/financial stability, and domestic violence survivors assistance. She prides herself in offering bilingual wraparound services to the most vulnerable, underserved, and at-risk populations and individuals. Her ultimate goal is assisting and connecting clients with the most effective federal, state, and community resources available.

As the spouse of a military veteran, Maggie understands the importance of mental health and how support services can play a vital role in one's well-being and success. Serving as a Relocation Program Volunteer Assistant with Army Community Services, Maggie assisted many soldiers and their families, connecting them with comprehensive support services and resources, resulting in positive outcomes.

Maggie is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. She has earned her bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from The University of Texas at San Antonio and a master's degree in Public Administration.
Alex Furtado, M. Ed., MBA
Project Manager
Harris County Sheriff's Office
Alex has over 22 years of project and business management experience. Prior to joining the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, he led numerous significant, complex projects which involved business divestitures, mergers and acquisitions, and performance improvements for The Coca-Cola Company, Nestle USA, SABMiller, and The Altria Group.

Since joining the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in 2018, he has served as a Detention Officer, graduated from the HCSO Basic Peace Officer Course as the Top Cadet, and completed the probationary patrol deputy pathway. Most recently, he served as Helicopter Pilot-in-Command in the Air Operations Section, Homeland Security Bureau. He holds TCOLE intermediate level proficiency as a Jailer and Peace Officer and is TCOLE certified as a Basic Instructor, Mental Health Officer, Sexual Assault / Family Violence Investigator, and Court Security Officer.

Alex is also a United States Army Veteran, with over 13 years of service as a Military Policeman, Military Police Sergeant, Army Aviator, and Aeromedical Evacuation Officer.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a Master of Education Degree in Human Services and Human Resource Education from Boston University, and a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
HART Team Members
(Above) HART team members, management staff, and HCSO training staff after training at the HCSO Emergency Communications Center.

HART is funded by Harris County Public Health and does not take money away from law enforcement. HART frees up law enforcement to focus on violent crime.