Health and Human Services
2525 Grand Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815
(562) 570-4000
22 September 8, 2026
Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Long Beach
California
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation to authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, all necessary documents, and any subsequent amendments, to the award amount or term, with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to accept and expend funding in the amount of $1,490,000 for the Community Crisis Response Team for a one-year period estimated to begin September 30, 2026, with the option to extend for three additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager; and Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $1,490,000, offset by grant revenues. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On July 13, 2026, the Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) submitted a funding application to receive Congressionally Directed Spending funding through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and was awarded funding in the amount of $1,490,000 to continue and enhance the Community Crisis Response (CCR) Program. This Congressional Directed Spending earmark was brought forward by Senator Alex Padilla and was passed as a part of the federal minibus FY26 budget in February 2026.The project will support citywide, health-led mobile crisis response services for individuals experiencing non-violent behavioral health, substance use, homelessness-related, and quality- of-life crises. The project includes citywide, health-led mobile crisis response services for individuals experiencing non-violent behavioral health, substance use, homelessness-related, and quality-of-life crises. CCR provides an alternative to traditional public safety responses by deploying civilian health professionals to eligible calls for service.
CCR responds to eligible 9-1-1 calls identified by Emergency Communications through established triage protocols. Multidisciplinary staff conduct behavioral health and medical assessments, as appropriate, and provide voluntary services that may include crisis intervention, de-escalation, safety planning, resource navigation, transportation, and connections to behavioral health treatment, substance use treatment, housing, healthcare, and other community-based services. Staff may also provide basic necessities and overdose prevention supplies, including naloxone and fentanyl test strips, when appropriate. Individuals requiring additional assistance are referred for care coordination, follow-up, facilitated connections to providers, and assistance addressing barriers to accessing services. When a situation exceeds the scope of a health-led response, CCR coordinates with law enforcement or emergency medical services in accordance with established protocols.
Honorable Mayor and City Council
September 8, 2026
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During the one-year grant period, CCR anticipates providing direct services to approximately 1,000 unduplicated individuals throughout Long Beach. The program serves youth and adults across socioeconomic backgrounds, including veterans, people experiencing homelessness, individuals involved with social service systems, and residents facing barriers to accessing behavioral health care.
Grant funding will sustain personnel responsible for field-based crisis response, behavioral health and medical assessments, care coordination, program administration, data collection, performance monitoring, and grant compliance. The funding will allow CCR to maintain timely, community-based crisis response services and strengthen connections to behavioral health and substance use treatment, housing, healthcare, and other supportive resources. It will also support continued coordination among the Health Department, Emergency Communications, the Long Beach Police Department, the Long Beach Fire Department, and community-based service providers.
The grant-funded activities will support the City’s behavioral health continuum of care by maintaining access to community-based crisis intervention, improving connections to appropriate services, strengthening coordination across participating agencies, and supporting ongoing quality improvement through data collection, performance monitoring, and program evaluation.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Nicholas Masero on August 18, 2026, and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on August 19, 2026.
EQUITY STATEMENT
The project advances the City’s Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initiative, specifically Goal 2 to design and invest in community safety and violence prevention and Strategy 1 to expand the broader continuum of public safety. CCR supports the Initiative’s identified action to invest in the civilianization of services that can be appropriately performed by civilian staff rather than police officers. By assigning eligible non-violent calls to behavioral health professionals and public health nurses, CCR provides a health-centered response while allowing law enforcement resources to remain available for calls requiring a traditional public safety response.
CCR also supports improved health outcomes for marginalized communities of color, which may experience disproportionate barriers to behavioral healthcare, housing, medical care, and other supportive services. The program brings voluntary crisis intervention and health assessment services directly into the community and facilitates connections to ongoing care based on each individual’s identified needs. This approach reduces barriers to accessing services, supports earlier intervention, and helps limit unnecessary involvement with law enforcement and emergency medical systems.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to accept and expend grant funds is requested on September 8, 2026, to continue program services without interruption and meet the deadline to accept grant funding.
Honorable Mayor and City Council
September 8, 2026
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FISCAL IMPACT
It is anticipated that the City will receive funding in an amount not to exceed $1,490,000 for the period of September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2027. An appropriation increase in the amount of $1,490,000 is requested in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by grant revenue. Acceptance of this grant will result in a net positive impact to the Health Operating Fund of approximately $62,508 due to grant reimbursable costs. No match or in-kind service is required. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully submitted,
Alison King
Director
Health and Human Services
APPROVED:
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THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER