LARCA Newsletter - May 2024

LARCA May 2024 Newsletter

LARCA Testifies Live in State Assembly

LARCA is proud to sponsor Assembly Bill (AB) 2650, a crucial legislative step to understand better the scope of state-licensed adult residential facilities and the challenges they face. AB 1766, legislation authored by former Assemblymember Richard Bloom, established an essential framework for understanding how facilities care for those experiencing SMI and receiving public benefits. AB 1766 also provided critical facility closure information and notification. However, essential data collection was not included in the framework.

AB 2650 fixes this data shortfall by requiring the collection of information related to residents diagnosed with SMI, receiving public benefits, and residing in state-licensed facilities. It provides a clearer understanding of licensed adult residential facilities as housing solutions for vulnerable populations and better directs current and future support of this housing option. Critical data accounted for under AB 2650 must be collected to ensure effective and cost-efficient support for licensed adult residential facilities.

We thank Assemblymember Zbur (CA AD 51) for his leadership and standing with LARCA members. AB 2650 is crucial to better understanding and stabilizing state-licensed adult residential facilities, a proven housing option providing whole-person care for individuals living with serious mental illness.

Click above to watch your LARCA Team testify

Are you thinking of closing your facility? You are not alone. We are here to help you.

Click here to email Bennie Tinson

Do you have Empty Beds?

We will help you fill your empty bed(s)! Click here if you need help in getting your beds filled: Send Salaneka an email

Confirm that your Facility is Registered with the LA County Department of Mental Health Resource Locator and Navigator (MHRLN) Provider Portal to update their bed availability.

Click here: https://dmh.lacounty.gov/

NAMI Walks 2024 Greater Los Angeles County Mental Health Festival

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Bennie Tinson, Executive Director of LARCA at NAMI Walks 2024

Pictured from left to right: John O’Malley, President (NAMI GLAC); Bennie Tinson, Executive Director of LARCA; Congresswoman Grace Napolitano; Traute Winters, Executive Director of NAMI GLAC, Gigi de Pourtales, Manager, NAMIWalks and Michael Yosef, Vice President of Daley Strategies

LA City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, District 1, with Bennie Tinson, celebrating the NAMI Walks Greater LA County Mental Health Festival

Bennie Tinson, Executive Director of LARCA, with Dr. Lisa Wong, Psy.D., Director, LA County Department of Mental Health

NAMI Families, supporters, and community partners joined in celebrating mental health with record-setting attendance!

Important Announcements!

LARCA Monthly Education & Engagement Roundtable!

Please join us on the 4th Thursday of each month - 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. via Zoom to meet with policymakers and regulatory agencies such as the CA Dept. of Health Care Services, CCLD, LA County DMH, DPSS and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Join us monthly to learn important updates on programs, funding opportunities and to directly engage with policymakers. We look forward to your participation!

Click here to sign up for classes

2nd Annual SCV Stop the Stigma Event

Santa Clarita Valley Takes Action is scheduled to be held Saturday, May 18th to raise awareness about adult mental health concerns facing the Santa Clarita Valley. Join us along with dynamic and passionate mental health advocates, Friends of LARCA and long-time Board & Care Advocate Barbara B. Wilson, LCSW.

Join us May 18th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Campus, 23803 McBean Parkway, Valencia

Watch this incredible and passionate interview with LARCA Member Celia Oyibu, owner and Administrator of Compassion Elderly Care Management Systems RCFE in Lancaster. We would love to feature you and your facility in our next newsletter!

Click here to send an email to Salaneka Smith