Meeting Notes

I. Update on NYC Delegation Trip:” Lessons Learned” For LA County

Richard Bloom, Ed Edelman and Kate Vernez provided an overview of lessons learned from the New York City trip organized by State Senator Cedillo. The key principles involve engaging political and civic leadership with the resources and authority to act; bringing the stakeholders together; building sanctions for illegal behavior around the community court as gateway to social services; securing housing with services; and involving private foundations and research organizations to document successes and challenges. These lessons are applicable to LA County and will necessitate creating a governance structure, funding and accountability for the provision of homeless services and housing countywide.

II. Discussion of New Models of Collaboration Amongst the Mental Health, Criminal Justice and Hospitals Systems

Robin Kay announced that the County’s Mental Health Services Act plan has been approved for the first allocation (5 months of funding) and provided an outline of County Mental Health Services Act planning and workgroup formation on subsequent efforts. The workgroups are engaged in capacity building and improved responsiveness with a variety of populations including: homeless from criminal justice and institutional care settings; co-occurring disorder client services; housing recommendations and community sitting issues. Robin also gave an update on the psychiatric urgent care facility for the Westside that has been identified by ER doctors as a critical missing component of care. Although no site has been identified, Department staff is meeting with various community groups to address the type of services and community outreach that will occur before sitting. Carol Gross underscored the importance of broad outreach. Robin also provided material on the County’s mental health court programs, voluntary mental health services for mental illness and co-occurring disorders provided to clients while in jail and upon discharge.

III. Update- Hospitals Homeless Costs Efforts

Stacy Rowe provided an update on the hospitals study working group which has discussed the identification of hospitals costs study parameters and study questions. After work sessions discussing various methodologies and the annual report methodologies of the Venice Family Clinic, it was decided to ask Debbie Alpers, DNA & Company, for research assistance to lead a discussion at the hospitals working group on how much the community spends on health care for the homeless.

IV. Review of Publicly Owned Underutilized/Available Property- Continuing discussion of available service sites ; next steps CARES West Los Angeles VA proposal for homeless vet therapeutic housing; report on possible Westside properties for an emergency shelter with mental health and supportive services

The CARES panel has not been notified by Washington of the third public hearing meeting date. Indications are that the VA Secretary will make land use designation/business option decisions by Fall but this has not been confirmed. Bill Rosendahl has been appointed to the panel. Cities were asked to register their support with the Secretary for the long term therapeutic housing proposal for homeless veterans on the VA site. Discussion ensued on possible property near LAX as a homeless service site. Flora Gil Krisiloff observed that it would be important to showcase what Westside agencies are doing that represent model approaches to homeless services and housing. Kate Vernez offered to organize with OPCC a ”lessons learned” on siting Santa Monica projects.

V. Update from Bring LA Home- Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority detailed report on regional homelessness strategies in Los Angeles County

The report is expected to be completed on March 9, with a press conference to be held on March 30.

VI. Culver City RFP- Report on St Joseph’s Center project and Community based subcommittee

Bill La Pointe and Rhonda Meister, Executive Director of St. Joseph Center, reported that 122 contacts to date have been made in outreach to the homeless.  Twenty-five people were engaged in case management and placement out of a contract total of 30.  The most significant advance is that the homeless are coming in on their own to receive service from St. Joseph Center and work with the case manager. 

VII. Regional Coordination and Advocacy- Discussion of strategies, action steps on program coordination and advocacy efforts; report on Prop 63 and State Initiatives

Held to the next meeting where both Prop 63; program and advocacy coordination will be discussed.

VIII. YIMBY/Project Homeless Connect: Next Steps

Joel Roberts, Path, gave an overview of the success of the YIMBY day where over 300 people where provided service in Hollywood.

IX. Identification of Additional Strategies- Homeless Mental Health Court, Guardianship, State/Federal legislative efforts

Santa Monica will provide an update at the next meeting on efforts to establish a community court or other criminal justice strategies that could serve as a gateway to social services for the homeless population. The Cedillo legislation will also be reviewed.

X. Next Steps

Hospitals meeting March 2, 2006

XI. Public Comment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if you require a disability-related  modification or accommodation to attend or participate in this meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, please call (310) 458-8301 at least 5 days prior to the meeting.

ATTACHMENTS:

• Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Urgent Care and Support Fact Sheet
  
  

• Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Urgent Care and Support Frequently Asked Questions