Pasadena Health Department Lands Major Funding for Homeless Mental Health Initiative

Pasadena’s Public Health Department said it has secured substantial funding for the United Mental Health Promoter project, an initiative funded by a grant from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health which is intended to deliver essential outreach, linkages, and education services to individuals experiencing homelessness.

For the United Mental Health Promoter project, the city was awarded funding totaling $952,348 per year through June 30, 2026, according to an announcement from Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, Pasadena’s Director of Public Health and Health Officer.

This substantial funding will facilitate outreach efforts, system navigation, benefits enrollment, and the provision of concrete supports such as food, hygiene kits, clothing, and other basic necessities to unhoused people in Pasadena.

The announcement said the funding will also support mental health-related training – like Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Community Resiliency Model (CRM) – for community members, partner agencies, and city employees.

The Public Health Department has already begun the process of hiring staff to implement the United Mental Health Promoter program, with services anticipated to commence in April 2024.

During the City Council meeting on Feb. 26, the department recommended adjustments to the 2024 Public Health Fund for $317,450 in revenue to ensure the availability of resources to deliver vital outreach, support, and referrals through the United Mental Health Promoter project.

While United Mental Health Promoter will enhance access to existing mental health services, the Pasadena Public Health Department will not provide direct delivery of mental health services through this program. Instead, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health will call for contractors to provide United Mental Health Promoter services to local jurisdictions within the County.

For more information about the United Mental Health Promoter project and related services, visit https://dmh.lacounty.gov/resources/united-mental-health-promoters/.