Behavioral Health Strategy
Adult Crisis and Step-Down Services &
Youth Behavioral Health Services
February 25, 2025
Item 11-B
February 25, 2025
Item 11-B
February 25, 2025
Contracted with Initium
Health to conduct a
community
engagement process &
behavioral health
center feasibility study
City pursued
development of a
behavioral health
strategy in 2023
Behavioral Health Strategy
Item 11-B
February 25, 2025
Item 11-B
February 25, 2025
Town Halls Interviews Focus Groups Community
Survey
Community Engagement Process
Item 11-B
February 25, 2025
Item 11-B
February 25, 2025
Adult Crisis Care
Children and Youth Behavioral
Health Services
Key Findings
Item 11-B
February 25, 2025
Item 11-B
February 25, 2025
Conclusions
1. Need for Substance Use Disorder Expansion and New Programs
2. High-Risk Populations (Overlapping yet Distinct)
• Individuals with Intensive Behavioral Health Needs
• People Experiencing Homelessness with Intensive Behavioral Health Needs
3. Capacity Limitations = Breaks in Treatment
4. Decreases in Care Coordination = Clients Falling Through Cracks
5. System in Disequilibrium
• Current Challenges (mobile outreach roll-out; workforce limitations) • Future Challenges (Prop 1, DMH / SAPC budgets, payment reform) Item 11-B
February 25, 2025
Item 11-B
February 25, 2025
Staff Recommendations - Adult Crisis Services
Recommendation
Transitional Approach – Decentralized Expansion
Current Strategies to Expand Crisis Care
• Westside UCC Priority Placement
• Therapeutic Transport Team (TTT)
• SamoBridge Program
• Regional Efforts with the WSCCOG
Item 11-B
February 25, 2025
Item 11-B
February 25, 2025
Children and
Youth
Behavioral Health
Services
Item 11-B
February 25, 2025
Item 11-B
February 25, 2025
Youth face long delays or forego outpatient treatment due to cost, limited capacity, and insurance barriers.
Recommendation: Expand locations where youth can engage in health and wellness activities, including outpatient treatment, support groups, and physical activity.
There is no free youth substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in Santa Monica.
Recommendation: Make substance use treatment affordable and accessible for youth.
Treatment and Recovery Support Services
Item 11-B
February 25, 2025
Item 11-B
February 25, 2025
Staff Recommendations - Children and Youth Services
Social Emotional Wellness Initiative (SEWI)
• Behavioral health support for the City’s after school programs (PAL, CREST, VAP), $400,000 (PSJ)
St. Joseph Center
• Youth Resource Team program, $388,254 (PSJ)
Family Service of Santa Monica
• Early Childhood Wellbeing Project program, $500,000 (PSJ) • SUD treatment for local youth, $400,000 (OSF)
Item 11-B
February 25, 2025
Item 11-B
February 25, 2025