Supervisor Barger, Mayor Gordo Call For County Partnership with Pasadena to Expand Mental Health, Homeless Services

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger introduced a motion Tuesday that aims to bring primary health care and outpatient mental health services to the north Pasadena region, which was identified as a high priority area by the County Department of Health Services.

The motion calls for the County to develop a funding plan to acquire a property where housing, health and mental health departments, and local mental health organizations can co-locate and fill a service gap.

Barger said the motion’s goal is to bring tangible solutions to neighborhoods in her district where there is an acute need, and that the work has the potential to serve as a model.

The motion will direct the chief executive officer, in conjunction with the directors of mental health, health services, and public health, to work with the City and the public health director, to explore the feasibility of identifying appropriate properties in the City for possible co-location and joint occupation for purposes of health outpatient services and housing.

Although the County budgets millions for mental health services, there currently is no facility capable of treating patients suffering from both mental health issues and addiction problems.

“If you have a dual diagnosis – mental health and addiction – the addiction issues are under the department of health services and the mental health issues are under the mental services department,” said Mayor Victor Gordo.

Gordo said the collaboration took root when he was invited to speak to the Fuller School of Psychology which promotes 300 clinicians every semester. 

The County is considering reimbursing the tuition of students who commit to County service after they graduate.

Barger’s motion will also authorize the chief executive officer to send a letter of interest for any identified properties for possible acquisition; and direct the chief executive officer, in conjunction with the directors of mental health, health services, and public health, to develop a funding plan for acquisition, capital costs, and operations of the property for outpatient services and housing, and return to Board for authority to proceed with acquisition of any property needed to comply with this motion.

“Last year, LA County spent $60 million for mental health services in the [San Gabriel Valley],” Gordo told Pasadena Now. “There are 21 private organizations that provide great services, but many of them don’t have the capacity to provide additional services. In order to help someone you have to take them to Pomona or the farthest point in the Valley.”

In May,  Jonathan E. Sherin, M.D., Director of Los Angeles County Department Of Mental Health, and Theion Perkins, Program Manager III, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, provided an oral presentation on mental health issues to the City Council, as well as services/resources available to those in need of mental health support, and potential opportunities to collaborate with the City of Pasadena, and responded to questions. 

Gordo spoke on the mental health crisis and the need for mental health care programs/services in Pasadena. He advocated for additional services to meet the needs of the community, supported a partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, as well as opportunities to collaborate with Huntington Hospital and the Pasadena Health Department and noting the need to expand and augment mental health services for residents.