UPDATE: Adam Schiff secures $300,000 in federal funds for WeHo mental health response team

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U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff has secured $300,000 in federal funds to support developing West Hollywood’s mental health crisis response team, Councilmember Lauren Meister announced Jan. 9 at City Council’s meeting.

The city plans to use the money to buy vehicles for the crisis response team, which Meister said were “key to getting our trained crisis staff to people in need.”

“We are deeply grateful to Representative Schiff for his support, and we’re excited that our work on the team is being recognized at the national level,” Meister said.

UPDATE — Schiff’s office released the following statement on Jan. 18:


Congressman Schiff Secures Federal Funds for West Hollywood Crisis Response Program

Burbank, Calif. – Today, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) announced he secured $300,000 in federal funds for the City of West Hollywood to stand up a mobile crisis response team that provides compassionate care for individuals during mental and behavioral health crises.

Overall, Schiff secured more than $13.6 million for critical housing, homelessness support, employment, public safety, public health, and education projects throughout Burbank, Glendale, and Los Angeles.

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“Our communities should be able to feel safe knowing that in the midst of a mental health or behavioral health crisis, individuals will be met with nothing but compassion, support, and the resources they need to get and stay safe,” said Schiff. “This funding will equip West Hollywood with progressive and proven tools to do just that, and will ensure the city can continue to live up to its values as a supportive haven for all.”

The care team will provide first responder services including assessment, counseling, and first aid to community members experiencing a behavioral health crisis stemming from a mental health condition, substance use, or other factors.

“The City of West Hollywood is thrilled to receive federal recognition and funding to support our City’s work building a mobile crisis response team that supports our community members at their most vulnerable moments,” said City of West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne. “In creating the West Hollywood Care Team, we are advancing our City’s commitment to social justice and racial equity, especially for the LGBTQ community. The Care Team will meet people in their homes and in the community with supportive, trauma-informed care that helps people deescalate out of crisis. We are incredibly grateful to Representative Schiff for championing support of our West Hollywood Care Team at the national level and funding the purchase of the vehicles that will make this a truly mobile and responsive team.”

The funds were included in the fiscal year 2023 federal government funding legislation, which President Biden signed into law on December 29, 2022.

Full descriptions for all of Schiff’s FY23 community projects can be found here.


Meister also mentioned that the city’s Homeless Initiative will be working with UCLA Health to bring their mobile health care, clinics to West Hollywood bringing their innovative homeless health care collaborative, mobile health care, clinics to West Hollywood to serve people experiencing homelessness in our community on a regular basis.

For dates and more information, visit https://www.weho.org/services/social-services/homeless-services.

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JR Birdsong
JR Birdsong
1 year ago

THIS is yet another shining example of why Adam Schiff deserves to be US Senator!

Jake Lee
Jake Lee
1 year ago

If you’re not relocating them to mental and rehab facilities, you’re wasting money. Period.

JR Birdsong
JR Birdsong
1 year ago

THIS is exactly why U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff should be our next Senator when he decides to run!

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West
1 year ago
Reply to  JR Birdsong

Pray for us

DonD
DonD
1 year ago

I think it’s great. Even having a little human contact is good.
There’s obviously a big mental health crisis in homelessness. Probably how most became homeless – then it just gets worse.
Beyond repair perhaps but they are still people. You wouldn’t think so after reading comments on this thread.
I’m sure there are much larger amounts ‘wasted’ on other programs, infrastructure etc. Can ine City job and it’s paid for.
Keep up the good work.

Last edited 1 year ago by DonD
Mike
Mike
1 year ago

Mobile this,temporary that ! Like I said california makes money by keeping the homeless outdoors in the streets…who pays the price,the Residents that get attacked…it’s like California politicians are using the homeless in the streets to fight the Residents and businesses owners,in hopes that they get tired and leave California ! Prop 13 Redlineing,lack of affordable housing,shutting down mental institutions,shutting down Drug Rehabs,all have put the homeless in the streets where they can attack the Residents and businesses owners ! The homeless need to be removed from the streets,and put into permanent housing,by all means necessary,so Law Enforcement can focus… Read more »

JR Birdsong
JR Birdsong
1 year ago
Reply to  Mike

Unfortunately, you are correct! The more that is done for the homeless, the more that is expected. WHY try to get off the streets when everything is handed to you on a golden platter? WHY get a job when everything is given to you and not lifting a finger? There must be a better way to handle the situation! Impeding on private property simply is not acceptable.

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help us
help us
1 year ago

We’ve wasted enough money on the hopeless. Taxpayers need mental health services–let’s help people who can benefit from services. Throwing more money at the bums on the street is political pandering and hurtful to residents.

DonD
DonD
1 year ago
Reply to  help us

Bums? What a rancid comment.

Ham Shipey
Ham Shipey
1 year ago
Reply to  DonD

Bums…..is what they used to call them. Nothing has changed.

Davedi
Davedi
1 year ago

I guess it’s like Cars for kids. Only bigger kids who are burnt out on drugs.

Outraged
Outraged
1 year ago

Meanwhile, the Republicans strip Schiff of his committee duties. THAT’s a Republican for ya.

https://news.yahoo.com/mccarthy-confirms-schiff-swalwell-omar-190301425.html

Facts
Facts
1 year ago
Reply to  Outraged

Never forget and REJECT Democrat gatekeepers’ GASLIGHTING

Fixit Manly
Fixit Manly
1 year ago
Reply to  Outraged

Has he divulged the evidence he ‘has’ on Trump yet? Or was he lying? In my opinion he is getting what he deserves. And lest you forget that republicans were booted from committees. But hey!! Don’t let your memory or facts get I. The way of a story. Now, having been assaulted by the bums in the hood I am all for clearing them out and putting them in institutions for mentally unstable people or recovery from drugs. The down on their luck ones can be trained to flip burgers since it’s paying a living wage now. No executes for… Read more »

Outraged
Outraged
1 year ago

And just how firmly are the plans to report on the numbers of homeless people at the end of ONE YEAR of this program? How will we know if it was money well-spent, or a waste so that West Hollywood can line the pockets of those who “sell cars” for the team. Who is the “team”? What are their qualifications? Are they trained (graduate-level) psychiatric nurses or psychiatric social workers or other mental health professionals? What are the evaluation metrics? What is the Continuous Quality Improvement Plans of the program? Besides the “team member” driving up to a homeless person… Read more »

Jason
Jason
1 year ago

So, how many actual cars will that buy in Weho for this? How many people are on the ‘crisis response team?’

Outraged
Outraged
1 year ago
Reply to  Jason

Exactly. Vague programs that lack specifics fail to garner community buy-in as justification for spending taxpayer money. And be able to demonstrate positive outcomes after making that investment. Typical West Hollywood City Council: “Oh, there there, you don’t need to know the details. We have it all handled. You don’t need to worry about. Just trust us. We’re elected, you’re not, we’re gonna do what we’re gonna do, and so you just butt out. By the way, can I have your vote next time?”

not wise
not wise
1 year ago

I resent this money being spent on homeless mentally ill people. Let’s spend most of that money helping citizens who can recover and return to sustaining themselves. The hundreds of homeless living in West Hollywood are beyond help. They need to be institutionalized.

Joshua88
Joshua88
1 year ago
Reply to  not wise

And thereby is the perpetual problem to insure it stays perpetual.

Never Needing a Real Solution
Never Needing a Real Solution
1 year ago
Reply to  Joshua88

Could use some independent cost benefit analyses for these perpetual feed the pipeline concepts. BUT then that would add to the study and funding of the usual consultant game. Invent the wheel, feed the wheel and drown by the wheel. Blind leading the blind at a profit.

Stephen
Stephen
1 year ago
Reply to  not wise

Civic funds can help (and are helping) both groups at the same time. Helping one does not preclude helping others. This is a great thing, getting that money.

DonD
DonD
1 year ago
Reply to  not wise

Institutionalized lol. Which institution?

Davedi
Davedi
1 year ago

Maybe he can use some of that money to help white people who run around calling themselves a person of color.

DonD
DonD
1 year ago
Reply to  Davedi

They are def beyond help.