Sheriff Jim Hammond said he has a plan aimed at getting mental health patients out of the County Jail.
He told members of the County Commission one approach is to apply for a federal grant that provides $678,000 per year for five years.
The grant request is to the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency.
It is to establish an Assertive Community Treatment Act Team in Hamilton County to support the Frequent User Initiative.
Officials said Frequent user initiatives conducted in other cities have resulted in significant reductions in the use of jails, hospitals, emergency services and other crisis centers and produced significant improvements in the health, well-being and stability of the individuals involved.
The pilot program will provide up to 50 homeless frequent users of the jail, Silverdale and local hospitals with permanent housing and intensive support services.
Housing support will be provided primarily through rent subsidies.
Intensive support services will be provided by an ACT Team under the direction of a local behavioral health agency. Officials said ACT Teams bring services to participants in their homes 24/7 for as long as needed to maintain stability.
Services include primary care, employment and housing assistance, life skills and case management as well as psychiatric care and treatment for substance abuse or co-occurring disorders.
The grant will provide the start-up funds necessary to establish the team until services become billable under TennCare and pay for other expenses, such as program evaluation, which are not covered by TennCare, it was stated.
Sheriff Hammond said the program should bring significant savings to the county by lowering the jail and workhouse populations.