Health and Human Services
2525 Grand Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815
(562) 570-4000
13 October 13, 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, including to the award amount or term, with the California Department of Public Health, Behavioral Health Services, to accept and expend funding in the amount of $609,870, in an annual allocation of $203,290 for one three-year period, from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029, with the option to extend for one additional three-year period, at the discretion of the City Manager; and, Increase appropriations in Fiscal Year 2026 in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $609,870, offset by grant revenues. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On September 14, 2026, the Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) was notified the department received the local health jurisdiction allocation of the Behavioral Health Services Act to support the Mental Health Coordination position through California Department of Public Health funding in the amount of $203,290.
The project will support citywide, health-led mental health coordination efforts that will support the ongoing mental health report with a special focus on suicide prevention efforts within Long Beach. Mental Health Coordination within the Health Department first began in 2021 during the City’s COVID-19 response utilizing America Recovery Act funds. This position supported the development of the City’s first awareness campaign “Mental Health Matters” and supported the development of the City’s Mental Health report, “Developing a Robust Mental Health System in Long Beach”, which was adopted by the City Council in May 2023. The Mental Health Report is rooted in the vision that all community members have an open path to access and receive the mental health support they need to thrive. The four identified focus areas, goals and strategies laid out in the Mental Health Report seek to:
1. Increase mental health treatment capacity by building the mental health workforce and exploring additional and alternative funding mechanisms;
2. Increase delivery of mental health prevention services;
3. Improve access to treatment by increasing knowledge about the system, simplifying access through coordinated efforts, and increasing capacity in services at all levels, from prevention to intensive care; and
Honorable Mayor and City Council
October 13, 2026
4. Focus efforts on persons experiencing homelessness and transitional age youth due to data-informed disproportionate poor mental health outcomes.
While the Mental Health Coordinator position has remained vacant since March 2026, work has continued in a limited capacity by the Division Officer that oversaw the program. During that time, the City has launched the web based mental health wellness platform, CredibleMind, and launched the second iteration of the mental health awareness campaign, “Mental Health is Just Health”. This campaign was developed in partnership with the City’s Youth Advisory Council and was focused on those ages 14-24, and yielded over one billion impressions.
The three-year Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) allocation will support dedicated mental health coordination capacity within the Long Beach Health Department to strengthen collaboration across local, County, healthcare, and community behavioral health systems.
Funding will support stakeholder coordination, identification of behavioral health needs and service gaps, development of a Long Beach Suicide Prevention Plan, alignment of prevention resources and strategies, and integration of behavioral health priorities into the City’s Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan. These activities will build upon the City’s previous mental health planning efforts and strengthen a coordinated, data-driven approach to behavioral health prevention and system planning.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Nicholas Masero on September 22, 2026, and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on September 25, 2026.
EQUITY STATEMENT
The project advances the City’s Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initiative, specifically Goal 4 to improve health and wellness in the City by eliminating social and economic disparities in the communities most impacted by racism and Strategy 1 to advance health equity. Mental Health Coordination’s core activity is to identify and better align local mental health resources in better service of the city’s most vulnerable communities.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to accept and expend grant funds is requested on October 13, 2026, to begin implementing program services.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive funding in the amount of $609,870 for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029, in an annual allocation of $203,290. An appropriation increase in Fiscal Year 2026 in the amount of $609,870 is requested in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by grant revenue. No match or in-kind service is required. If accepted, this grant will prevent the loss of 1 FTE in FY 2027 and additionally is anticipated to provide a positive impact to the Health Operating Fund of approximately $32,808 over the initial three-year period, due to grant reimbursable costs. This recommendation is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
Honorable Mayor and City Council
October 13, 2026
APPROVED:
_______________________
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully submitted,
Alison King
Director
Health and Human Services