STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: May 17, 2022
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Nancy Hunt-Coffey, Assistant City Manager
Mark Stainbrook, Chief of Police
Subject:
Attachments:
Request by Mayor Bosse to Discuss City Services and Support for Those Experiencing Mental Illness, in Addition to Those Who Are Unhoused
1. None
INTRODUCTION
A number of issues, including the protracted impacts of Covid-19 and the ensuing separation of individuals from support networks, coupled with civil unrest, war in Europe, fiscal stress due to inflation and the cost of housing, etc., have created a mental health crisis in our country, state and locally. The Kaiser Family Foundation (https://www.kff.org/report-section/the-implications-ofcovid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use-issue-brief/) reports that during the pandemic, 4 in 10 adults in the United States reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, up from 1 in 10 prior to the pandemic. With the closure of schools and disrupted life plans, young adults have suffered disproportionately with 56% reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression during the pandemic.
Experts indicate that this mental health crisis is likely causing more frequent instances of inappropriate and abusive behavior in public. (see, for example, https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/12/24/collective-trauma-public-outbursts/)
DISCUSSION
While it is difficult to quantify, it appears that Beverly Hills is not immune from this mental health crisis. It is important to note that while mental health issues are frequently associated with those who are unhoused, mental illness can impact anyone, regardless of age or economic status. In recognition of this fact, the City of Beverly Hills has had a long standing relationship with the Maple Counseling Center through the Community Assistance Grant Funding (CAGF) program where Beverly Hills residents can receive mental health services at a vastly reduced hourly rate.
Additionally, the City provides annual support for Jewish Family Services which provides case management (including mental health care) for residents who are 55 years or older. The City Meeting Date: May 17, 2022
also contracts with Our House Grief Support Center to help those coping with grief, as well as Saban Community Clinic which provides mental health services for low income individuals and families. In addition to other services, the Beverly Hills School District offers the NormanAid Wellness Center, which provides counseling services, wellness programs, and resources for students and parents.
As stated, mental illness can strike anyone; however, it appears to be fairly prevalent in the unhoused community. For example, a 2019 Los Angeles Times analysis (https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-10-07/homeless-population-mental-illnessdisability) found that roughly half of Los Angeles County’s homeless population is dealing with some form of mental illness, and about 40% of Los Angeles County’s jail inmates have been diagnosed with a mental illness (https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-01-15/federaloversight-dangerous-problems-la-county-jails). The unhoused population in Beverly Hills seems to be increasing, which is likely due to a variety of factors, including recent efforts by other local jurisdictions to clear unhoused encampments. For example, in 2021, the City of Los Angeles cleared encampments at Echo Park Lake, Venice Beach boardwalk, and MacArthur Park. Earlier this year, an encampment in nearby Westwood Park was cleared. While some of the unhoused from these encampments have been successfully placed in shelters or permanent supportive housing, many remain on the streets and have been pushed out and into neighboring communities.
The City has a long standing and robust program through the CAGF program to support the unhoused. The City contracts with Step Up on Second to provide a homeless outreach team for Beverly Hills (BHOT). Step Up also provides mental health and case management services in partnership with the LA County Department of Mental Health. Similarly, Saban Community Clinic offers free mental health services to the unhoused. Shelter with wrap around services, including mental health, is offered by the City through People Assisting the Homeless (PATH). In 2021-22, the Community Services Department undertook a trial program where park rangers conduct early morning bike patrols of the City’s parks to engage with those who are sleeping in the parks.
Through these interactions, the rangers offer BHOT services and education regarding the City’s no camping ordinance. Additionally, in fiscal year 2021-22, BHOT coverage was increased from five days a week to seven days a week, adding an additional case manager and 33 additional hours of coverage per week (an increase from 45 hours to 78 hours per week). As part of the additional hours, the BHOT team accompanies the rangers on their early morning patrols of the park twice per week so that services may be offered on the spot. The City also offers 24/7 coverage of the business area by the Beverly Hills Ambassador team. While not trained as mental health specialists, the Ambassadors function as the eyes and ears in the areas that they patrol, making referrals to BHOT, Beverly Hills Police Department, etc. The Ambassadors also patrol the City owned parking garages in the evening hours to ensure that unhoused individuals do not camp in these structures. Finally, for well over a decade, the City has also had the Human Services Division of the Community Services Department where two Licensed Clinical Social Workers provide management of these social services programs as well as direct outreach and case management to many of our most vulnerable residents.
Even with all of these services and programs, more can be done to assist with mental health outreach and care. As a result, the Police Department, in collaboration with the City Manager’s Office and the Community Services Department will be bringing a budget enhancement request to the City Council at the May 24th budget study meeting to implement a Mental Health Evaluation Team (MET Team). The MET Team is a collaboration between the City and Los Angeles County, which will partner a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from the County with a Beverly Hills Police Officer. Proposed to operate 7 days per week, the MET team would provide timely and proactive Meeting Date: May 17, 2022
(and reactive) outreach to community members who are struggling with mental health issues.
They will be equipped to not only provide field-based care but also to write involuntary holds (based on the Welfare and Institutions Code section 5150) for those who are presenting a danger to themselves and/or to others, or who cannot reasonably care for themselves. In addition, much like the Nurse Practitioner Program operated through the Fire Department, the MET Team would offer follow up resources and care to those who may have first engaged with the City through an emergency call.
Ultimately the mental illness crisis and homelessness are regional, state, and national issues.
Based on current legislation, mental illness decisions are in the hands of the individual, with the exception of someone who is deemed to be a danger to themselves or others. However, it can be difficult for someone who is experiencing a psychotic episode to always make an informed choice that is in their best interest. As a result, the City Council is encouraged to consider taking a position on State and County legislation that contemplates, under narrow and clearly defined parameters, the ability to provide more proactive care for those experiencing acute mental health crises.
FISCAL IMPACT
As mentioned in the report, the Police Department is bringing forward a request to fund a Mental Health Evaluation Team as part of the proposed 2022-23 budget. The total request to establish this program is $742,079. $664,579 of this is an ongoing request to fund two licensed mental health professionals and to fund one of two specially trained police officers who will offer proactive (and reactive) mental health services and support 7 days per week to the individuals in the Beverly Hills community who may be experiencing mental health issues. The additional police officer is funded through a request to civilianize the sworn Rangemaster position. The remaining one-time request of $77,500 is for the purchase of an additional patrol vehicle and information technology equipment needed to support this new Mental Health Evaluation Team. This request will be brought to the City Council at the May 24th study session.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council members accept the report regarding City services and support for those experiencing mental illness in addition to those who are unhoused, and provide direction on any additional steps they would like staff to take to address the issues of mental illness or the unhoused.
Nancy Hunt-Coffey
Assistant City Manager
Approved By