Raven Thousand is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX and a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health and Counseling from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, TX. She is proud and excited to lead the Regional CARE team. Before joining the team, Raven worked within the inpatient psychiatric hospital system, for the State of Texas in crisis services, and as a Director of Crisis Services for a Local Mental Health Authority.

In addition to higher education and on the job experience, Raven brings lived experience to the team as she is the parent of children living with mental illness. Raven has extensive experience working with crisis intervention, acute psychiatric care, and quality management. In her spare time, Raven loves to snuggle with her three sphynx cats and watch supernatural thrillers.

Lieutenant Melissa Franks is a 17-year veteran of the DeSoto Police Department. She is a mental health peace officer (MHPO), holds a Master’s Peace Officer certification and is a police instructor specializing in Crisis Intervention Training and De-escalation. With over 12 years of experience as a hostage/crisis negotiator, she currently serves as the team leader for the Crisis Negotiation Team on the area’s SWAT group. She is also the first woman of color to promote to supervisor and the first woman to achieve the rank of Lieutenant in the history of the DeSoto Police Department.

As the founder of the Regional CARE Team, she wants to help stop the revolving door of over-utilization of 9-1-1 and emergency hospitalization associated with mental health. She loves bringing her skills of negotiation, mediation, and crisis intervention and her knowledge of the criminal justice system to the team effort to engage people with behavioral health needs and their families. In her free time, Lt. Franks enjoys crafting, crocheting, and watching movies with her family.

Sheila Johnson currently works as the Administrative Assistant for the Regional CARE Team and as the Alarm Administrator for the DeSoto Police Department. A long-time employee of the City of DeSoto, she previously worked in the Finance department as an Accounting Technician. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Dallas Baptist University.

Sheila loves helping people and volunteers regularly at the Stewpot in downtown Dallas, an organization serving people experiencing homelessness. She also loves spending time with her family.

Officer Ambrosio Hernandez graduated from Duncanville High School in 2012, served four years in the United States Marine Corps, and completed approximately two years of college credits

He has been a Police Officer for approximately four years. After serving in the Marine Corps, he wanted to continue serving his community. He was raised in Duncanville and is glad he can provide such a helpful service to the community. Officer Hernandez grew a passion for mental health while on patrol and is honored to be a part of the Regional CARE Team.

He enjoys watching sports, football, basketball, and baseball as well as participating in them. In his free time, he enjoys running and weightlifting. Officer Hernandez’s greatest pleasure is spending time with his family and participating in community outreach programs with Duncanville Police Department.

Officer Christopher Ross attended Arkansas State University with a BA in Criminology and started his career as a counselor at Avenal State Prison, in Avenal, California for sixteen years. He moved to Texas in 2018 to start a new career as a police officer. He has been a police officer for about 3 years.

Officer Ross joined the Regional CARE Team because he wanted to learn more about mental health and to be able to have the resources that people need when it’s time to get help. He loves to travel with family. His kids keep him on the move with all the sports. Officer Ross also enjoys working out throughout the week in his spare time.

Officer Leniesa Skach is a Mental Health Peace Officer with the Lancaster Police Department and currently works on the Regional CARE Team. In her six years of law enforcement experience, she developed a passion for dealing with the mentally ill population while on patrol. Officer Skach found she was most successful helping those actively in crisis, but became very dissatisfied with the revolving door of the mental health system. When asked to join the team, she saw it as an opportunity to do more for the City of Lancaster.

For her own personal sanity, Officer Skach enjoys reading and spending time with her husband and kids.

Jason Puwill is a Care Coordinator with the NTBHA (North Texas Behavioral Health Authority) and works as one of the behavioral health specialists on the Regional CARE Team. He earned a Bachelors of Social Work and has 21 years of experience working with people who have had engagement in the criminal justice system. He brings 7 years of experience working with individuals affected by behavioral health needs. He is passionate about helping others to improve their quality of life.

Jason is an avid reader and the proud owner of six dachshunds. He enjoys learning new skills and rescuing/fostering dachshunds.

Yulanda King is the Victims Assistance Coordinator on the Regional CARE Team, serving victims of the City of DeSoto. Her career started in east Texas working within the court system. From there, she went to work for Harris County in the Justice of Peace office and later in the Public Defender’s Office as a case manager and mental health coordinator. After acquiring extensive experience in working with offenders within the criminal justice system, she sought to expand her expertise by working with the other side – victims of violent crime.

She finds working with victims, and particularly, domestic violence victims to be challenging and worthwhile. While she knows that she cannot necessarily change the situations of individuals, she wants to help them understand that there can be a better way of thinking about and handling their circumstances. In doing so, she hopes to empower victims to become future advocates for others in similar situations.

Yulanda has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, a Master’s in Public Administration/Public Service, and a Master’s in Education/Counseling and Development. In her free time, she enjoys shopping and spending time with family and friends.