Impact The Future of Mental Health Services
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Impacting The Future of Mental Health Services
Mental Health Hookup is a 501 (c)3 not-for-profit service organization. Its mission is to help families who have been impacted by a loved one who suffers from Serious & Persistent forms of Mental Illness. Mental Health Hookup is dedicated to increasing services that will help individuals and communities alike. We do this through grants, through education, and through legislation.
Please join us as we continue to strive for a better world through mental health advocacy!
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Mental Health Hookup advocates for community policies that affect the lives of adults (and older adults) who have lived lived the experience of Serious and Persistent forms of Mental Illness. Recent advocacy includes:
- EDUCATION: Presentations to local civic groups
Provides education about the important role that Licensed Adult Residential Facilities (a.k.a. board & care facilities) play in helping community safety. Barbara has advocated for and increased awareness of the continuing closures of ARF’s both with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors but also at the state level.
- PARTNERSHIPS: Partnering with other mental health organizations to advance goals of community inclusion for Adults with Serious & Persistent forms of Mental Illness.
- ORGANIZING SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY CHANGE: Advocate for specific changes in the community that would improve the delivery of services to people who experience Serious & Persistent forms of Mental Illness. Barbara has successfully advocated for a Stop Sign to be placed in front of the Olive View Psychiatric Urgent Care Center.
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With your generous tax-deductible donation, we are able to help considerably more people in need of our services. We greatly appreciate your partnership and monetary or in-kind gift. Mental Health Hookup is registered as a California-based 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization. Contributions to the Mental Health Hookup are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Video of Governor of California speaking about the importance of Board and Care Homes in Los Angeles County and State of California on January 14th 2020.
https://www.facebook.com/CAgovernor/videos/2470107649911895/
MORE!! Testimony to save our Board and Care Homes for the Adults and Older Adults who have Serious Mental Illness. Taken place at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Meeting on January 7th, 2020.
51-B. Support for State Investment in Board and Cares Recommendation as submitted by Supervisors Hahn and Kuehl: Send a five-signature letter to Governor Gavin Newsom, in advance of the release of the Governor’s proposed budget, in support of the investment of $500,000,000 in State General funds to preserve the Board and Care network, streamline regulations of Board and Cares to ease the burden on operators and remove barriers for clients, and establish sustainable rates and a program structure that maximizes Federal funding to support these facilities long-term so they can continue to be a critical housing resource for our most vulnerable County residents. (20-0301) Motion by Supervisors Hahn and Kuehl
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We advocate for better access to mental health resources in California.
Increasing the rate of reimbursement of licensed board and care facilities in California
We have advocated for this gap in services to be addressed, both within the Los Angeles County and at the state level, through a multitude of various actions throughout past years.
The Issue: Currently, licensed board and care homes receive less than $35.00 per day at the SSI rate set by the California State Legislature. Included in the licensing regulations are: 3 meals per day plus 2 snacks; maximum of two residents per room; medication management, supervision, and administration of medications. Motel 6 in Sylmar receives $79.00+ per night with no meal service by way of comparison. Licensed board and care homes provide a vital link in mental health services for adults with serious mental illnesses in the community. Often following hospitalization, an additional period of recuperation is required. Families sometimes need respite care for their loved ones. Licensed board and care facilities are the only community facilities that are licensed to monitor and to administer medications. Re-hospitalizations and/or jailings often occur when consumers forget to take their medications.
Timeline: In June of 2016, a tour of several board and care homes, both licensed and unlicensed, was arranged with Dr. Herman deBose, Vice-Chair of the Los Angeles County Mental Health Commission. On September 8, 2016, a panel presentation of licensed board & care owners was given during a Service Area 2 SAAC meeting, followed by a resolution passed on October 13, 2016 by SAAC 2 membership to support an increase in rate of reimbursement to licensed ARFs.
On February 9, 2017, the Los Angeles County Mental Health Commission Executive Committee selects providing research on the issue of reimbursement to ARFs to determine the extent of the problem within Los Angeles County.
On April 27, 2017, a presentation was provided regarding the Rules (Title XXII of the California Welfare & Institutions Code) and the lived experience of a facility owner testified before the commission.
An ad hoc committee consisting of Caroline Kelley, Kerry Morrison, and Barbara B Wilson prepared a report on ARFs to present to the Board of Supervisors before December 14, 2017.
March 2018, Los Angeles County Mental Health Commission votes to accept the ad hoc committee’s report. The Commission also votes to submit the report to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
September 11, 2018, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, approves a motion directing the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (Mental Health) to develop a plan to stabilize and to grow our existing ARF network across the county and to report back in 60 days.
November 13, 2018, Department of Health Services submits report back to Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
November 29, 2018, Barbara Wilson’s Resolution, regarding an SSI increase for all Licensed ARF’s who serve primarily adults with serious mental illness was passed by the DAA Club of Santa Clarita, CA.
January 24th, 2019, Barbara Wilson opening remarks for public comment at Town Hall Meeting at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita Valley. Bringing awareness to the mental health issues and gaps in service in the Santa Clarita Valley.
The Issue: A lack of bus transportation between Santa Clarita Valley and San Fernando Valley has created a significant barrier to mental health resources and services.
Action: We partnered with the Transit Coalition, a non-profit organization, to explore and to pursue the expansion of daily bus routes beyond the current Commuter Bus system to daily bus system, even if only from the Santa Clarita Valley Transit Center to the Sylmar Transit Center. This would not only improve access for adults with mental illness, but also for seniors, students, and veterans needing to access the VA system.
Current Status: No movement
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The Issue: The bus passes the Olive View Psychiatric Urgent Care Center and proceeds into the main campus before stopping. Patients must then walk a considerable distance back down to the main street and an additional distance in order to reach the Urgent Care Center. Many psychotropic medications specifically warn against exposure to sunlight. Additionally, some patients have physical limitations as well as psychiatric issues.
Action: We partnered with Bart Reed, Executive Director of the Transit Coalition, to achieve this goal. His organization prepared all of the charts and research required to present the proposal.
Current Status: As of June 2017 there is a Stoplight being installed in front of the Olive View Psychiatric Urgent Care Center