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The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday approved recommendations aimed at improving the coordination, delivery and communication of general and behavioral health services.
In the 12-0 vote, council members directed staff to work with county officials to identify organizations currently providing health services by council district and report on strategies to better serve Angelenos.
Other city departments will be responsible for identifying academic institutions and accreditation programs that can assist in this effort.
In addition, the city will look to address behavioral health workforce shortages through possible incentives such as student loan repayments, payment of school and certification fees, and moving allowances.
Council members Bob Blumenfield, Eunisses Hernandez, Nithya Raman, Paul Krekorian and Monica Rodriguez launched the effort through a motion introduced in late January.
According to a February 2023 report from the California Association of County Behavioral Health Directors, which surveyed 57 counties across the state, more than 70% of county behavioral health agencies are having difficulty recruiting new staff.
The staff is comprised of licensed mental health and substance use disorder professionals, including licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional clinical counselors, licensed practical nurses and registered nurses, as well as peer support specialists, care coordinators and more.
Across the greater Los Angeles area, these professionals serve vulnerable populations, and many of them work for counties and cities as part of regional alternative crisis responses.
The city, in partnership with the county, relies on behavioral health professionals to support co-deployment models such as the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Advanced Provider Response Team, SOBER Team and Treatment Van program, and the Los Angeles Police Department’s system-wide Psychological Assessment Response Team, Psych. Assessment unit and case assessment management plans.
Officials worry there won’t be enough behavioral health professionals to replace those who are at or near retirement age or to meet growing demand for these positions.
Previously, the county Board of Supervisors approved an incentive program to attract more on-site behavioral health workers.
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