Transforming Mental Health in LA County

SEIU 721 mental health care team members are working together with the LA County Department of Mental Health management and co-workers to transform the mental health system. We're active on our jobs and in the community to develop new models and new money to expand client care and help put people on a path to recovery.

Moving Forward for Stronger Client Care and Communication

4:26 PM - January 8, 2010
SEIU members in mental health continue to surface issues that could impact clients negatively and we're helping to resolve these issues.

Since October, SEIU members of the Mental Health Transformation Committee have been meeting with DMH management and the County CEO's office to discuss transformation in DMH.

Here's what we're doing:
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Categories: Campaigns, Improving Public Services, Los Angeles County, Regions, Transforming Mental Health in LA County | Tags: |

We Made Powerful Connections at the Mental Health Leadership Forum

3:42 PM - September 14, 2009
LOS ANGELES--More than 70 mental health advocates--clients, family members, SEIU 721 members, and other workers--came together on Saturday at a Mental Health Leadership Forum sponsored by SEIU 721 and the Center for Public Accountability to take steps to improve mental health services in Los Angeles County.

Akbar-Chatman_80x80.jpg"We realize that we share a vision of mental health services that create a client-centered and family-focused way of supporting hope, wellness and recovery in the lives of people affected by mental illness. We need a strong partnership to make it happen."
--Akbar Chatman, a substance abuse counselor and SEIU 721 member who moderated the event
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Categories: Campaigns, Transforming Mental Health in LA County | Tags: |

Let's Make the Mental Health System Work for All of Us

5:01 PM - August 19, 2009

SEIU 721 members are part of the movement to transform mental health services to create a client-centered and family-focused way of supporting hope, wellness and recovery in the lives of people affected by mental illness.

Patrick_Del_Conte_LAcountyDMH-ami-able_80x80.jpg"Coming together to create a shared vision of mental health transformation and then working together as a community is the only way to make this happen."

Patrick Del Conte
Integrated Services Program Manager, L.A. County Department of Mental Health
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Categories: Los Angeles County, Transforming Mental Health in LA County | Tags: |

Teaming up to make transformation work

2:48 PM - June 25, 2009
Gregory.Oden_lacountyDMH_80x80.jpg"With budget cuts of over $68 million, it's important to work together with DMH to make transformation a success and continue to provide quality care for our clients."
Gregory Oden, Senior Clerk

With eight more facilities transforming care to a community-based system of mental health services over the next few months, SEIU 721 members on the Mental Health Transformation Committee are working together with DMH leadership to:
  • Improve client care
  • Solve work site problems
  • Improve recording of direct services
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Categories: Los Angeles County, Transforming Mental Health in LA County | Tags: LA County |

What is transformation?

11:26 AM - June 22, 2009
It's changing Los Angeles County's mental health system in every way to create a client-centered and family-focused way of supporting hope, wellness, and recovery in the lives of persons affected by mental illness.

And--with a projected $68 million shortfall in the DMH budget--transformation is also providing funding for staff and programs to do new things with Mental Health Services Act money as the funds for core services are cut.
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Categories: Los Angeles County, Transforming Mental Health in LA County | Tags: LA County |

Budget Cuts Unravel Fabric of Life

5:33 PM - June 12, 2009

Viviana.Lopez_lacountyDMH_80x80.jpg

by Viviana Lopez
LA County Medical Case Worker

The state budget crisis is already unraveling the fabric of life in California. As a medical case worker for the children's clinic at Edelman Westside Mental Health Center, I'm part of a team that's trying to keep the threads--and families--from breaking.

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Categories: Keep California Working During the Budget Crisis, Los Angeles County, One to One, Preserving Services in the LA County Budget, Transforming Mental Health in LA County | Tags: budget cuts, LA County |

Path outlined to meet direct service billing goals

4:57 PM - June 2, 2009
Hallie.Carter_lacountyDMH_80X80.jpg"We're at a turning point on direct service goals. Dr. Southard made it clear that no one should be punished around direct service billing. He really wants us to work together on this to make sure we're fully funding our services," said Hallie Carter, Medical Case Worker.

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Categories: Campaigns, Improving Public Services, Los Angeles County, Transforming Mental Health in LA County | Tags: |

Downtown Mental Health Team Open to Wellness Program Shift

4:59 PM - June 1, 2009
Downtown Mental Health Clinic, a county facility in Downtown Los Angeles, has almost completely transformed to a Wellness Program already and as part of that process SEIU Local 721 and DMH management met on Dec. 17, 2008, to open a dialogue over proposed changes to DMHC's current traditional model.
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Categories: Campaigns, Improving Public Services, Los Angeles County, Transforming Mental Health in LA County | Tags: |

Prop 1E Defeated by 68% in LA County

4:53 PM - May 29, 2009
By working to defeat Proposition 1E in the May 19 Special Election, SEIU 721 members helped prevent more than $460 million in cuts to vital mental health services--and protect the successful Mental Health Services Act approved by California voters five years ago.
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Categories: Improving Public Services, Los Angeles County, Transforming Mental Health in LA County | Tags: budget cuts |

Members Turn Out to Support Vital Mental Health Services

5:05 PM - May 13, 2009
Ron-Ruiz_DMH-avatar "I'm Ron Ruiz. I'm a member of LA County's mental health care team. We help families and individuals struggling with serious illness.

"We know that the social costs of untreated mental illness are steep. You see that on Skid Row here in Los Angeles. We help people get jobs, stay on their meds, and get the treatment they need to become better-functioning members of society. But budget cuts mean reducing their chance for a better life..."

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Categories: Los Angeles County, One to One, Transforming Mental Health in LA County | Tags: |

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