Fall 2025 Newsletter
- Staff
- Oct 14
- 8 min read
Dear LARCA Members,
As the seasons turn and we enter October, it’s inspiring to look back on how far we’ve come together. Every day across Los Angeles County, your facilities open their doors to provide care, dignity, and stability for those who need it most—and that’s the heartbeat of LARCA’s mission.
Since becoming an independent nonprofit in August 2023, LARCA has been on an incredible journey—advocating, organizing, and building momentum to strengthen the community of State-licensed ARFs and RCFEs. LARCA membership has grown to 435 facilities across all eight LA County Service Planning Areas, united by a shared vision of quality care and equitable support.
This month, we’re excited to share updates, opportunities, and resources designed to make your work easier and your impact stronger. From cost-saving programs to technical and administrative support, everything we do is centered around helping you thrive.
Thank you—and your dedicated staff—for the compassion and commitment you bring every single day. Together, we’re not just operating facilities; we’re shaping a better system of care for Los Angeles County. Check out the latest news, resources, and a quick member survey—we’d love your feedback!
LARCA Member Survey
Here is a link to a brief survey in order to gain a greater understanding of your current experiences, concerns, and feedback regarding the two funding programs that are being offered by LA County DMH to LARCA members who are DMH vendors.
Please feel free to contact Salaneka Smith if you have any questions, concerns or feedback at Salaneka.Smith@larcala.org, 562.972.2912.
LARCA Member Learning Series
Thank you to all who participated in our LARCA Member Learning Series, our four-part educational webinar series that was held in September 2025. These webinars were extremely informative, engaging and empowering. They provided an abundance of valuable information to help you in many aspects of your facility, residents and operations. These webinars are available to all LARCA members to view and download via their LARCA member number.
Simply log in by clicking the Log In" button in the header, then click on the tab “LARCA Member Learning Series” to access the series. Use your email address that you have provided for your membership registration, as well as your password. If you forgot your password, reset it by clicking on the “forgot password” link.
October Awareness Months
October is the official month of recognition for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, ADHD Awareness Month, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, LGBTQ+ History Month, and Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Additionally, it is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, National Bullying Prevention Month, and Health Literacy Month.
LARCA Government Education & Engagement Roundtable
Please join us for our monthly Government Education & Engagement Roundtable (GEER) on Thursdays from 10:00 to 11:00 AM via Zoom.
Meeting Information
Next Meeting: Thu, Oct 23 | Join Roundtable
Meeting ID: 971 9990 2300 Passcode: 795344
You're Invited: LA County Knowledge Exchange: A Monthly Webinar Series from the LA County Department of Homeless Services and Housing
The Los Angeles County Department of Homeless Services and Housing is launching the LA County Knowledge Exchange, a monthly webinar series to connect you with representatives from various County departments who provide services and resources for the communities we serve together.
During these meetings, you will hear from different government entities about available programs, who is eligible, and how to access support. Sessions will include time for Q&A and be recorded and posted publicly for future reference.
We welcome all staff from agencies serving low-income, vulnerable populations, whether you are contracted by the County or not. Please feel free to share this invite with anyone who would like to know more about accessing County resources.
The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21st from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS). Registration is not required.
You will receive a calendar invitation each month with information about that respective session. For future sessions, we are working to secure representatives from the Departments of Mental Health, Public Health, Economic Opportunity, Consumer and Business Affairs, Military and Veterans Affairs, Aging and Disabilities, and the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.
Comprehensive Community Health Centers
The new Mobile Clinics are providing multiple healthcare services to our residents, staff, and families across Los Angeles County. These clinics serve the community, regardless of your income or immigration status, Mondays–Thursdays.
Los Angeles County DMH ERC Plus Program
Have you applied for funding for the Los Angeles County DMH ERC Plus Program? Have you applied for funding for the Proposition 1 Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program Round Two: Unmet Needs Program? Please share your story with us! We want to hear from you about your process, questions, challenges, and suggestions. Please email us at Info@larcala.org or Salaneka.Smith@larcala.org.
New on the County Channel
An evidence-based intervention program designed to help formerly homeless individuals maintain stable housing provides essential support services and uses positive incentives to encourage engagement and long-term success. Click the video above to watch.
You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.
Mental Health Support
As residents navigate a difficult year, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health stands with them. The Department of Mental Health understands that these moments can bring anxiety, confusion, and distress for many.
Get support now by calling the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Help Line, available 24/7, at 1-800-854-7771. The Help Line offers emotional support, mental health referrals, and urgent response teams. For additional information, click here.
The Disaster Case Management Program is There to Help
CalAssist Mortgage Fund for California Disaster Survivors is Taking Applications
The CalAssist Mortgage Fund is a state program that provides much-needed relief from mortgage payments for displaced families whose homes were destroyed or left uninhabitable by a California disaster, such as the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire.
You may eligible if your primary residence was destroyed or is uninhabitable due to a qualified disaster from 1/1/2023 through 1/8/2025, you meet program income limits, you have a mortgage or reverse mortgage, and you own a single-family home, condo or permanently affixed manufactured home (may include up to 4 units). If you qualify and are selected, the Fund will pay three months of mortgage payments, up to a maximum of $20,000. Funds never have to be repaid and it’s free to apply. Grants will be paid directly to your mortgage servicer.
Funds are limited and applications will be reviewed in the order received.
SBA Relief Still Available to Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Wildfires and Straight-line Winds
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in California of the October 8, 2025 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by wildfires and straight-line winds occurring January 7-31, 2025.
The disaster declaration covers the California counties of Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura.
Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs including faith-based organizations with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for businesses and 3.625% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than October 8.
Help Shape the Measure A Evaluation Agenda
Measure A requires the County to set an Annual Evaluation Agenda, a roadmap of the key questions that guide how we measure progress, identify what’s working, and
adjust what’s not. These questions help us focus on real outcomes and direct resources where they can make the biggest difference.
We want your input. What questions should guide our work? Share your ideas through this short survey and help ensure the agenda reflects community priorities.
LA County Launches Groundbreaking Veteran Mental Health Initiative
LOS ANGELES, CA (August 4, 2025) – The Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA) is proud to announce the launch of a transformative new mental health initiative providing immediate, proactive, and stigma-free emotional support to veterans across the region.
Developed in partnership with Happy: Frictionless Mental Health, Precise Behavioral, and The Reality Center, this countywide program connects veterans directly to free emotional support, telehealth therapy, and in-person sensory wellness – without delays, complicated systems, or eligibility restrictions.
“It is extremely hard for veterans to ask for help, so when they do, we need to be able to get them help within hours or a day or two,” said Director Jim Zenner, LCSW. “Thanks to our partners and the L.A. County Quality and Productivity Commission, this program ensures that support is immediate and accessible.”
Three Partners, One Mission: Mental Health Without Barriers
This collaboration is designed to remove long wait times and complex processes.
Through proactive outreach, trauma-informed therapy, and immersive sensory healing, veterans can access the full spectrum of care. Veterans may connect to one, two, or all three services:
Happy: Frictionless Mental Health - Happy delivers proactive emotional support through trained Support Givers. Instead of waiting for veterans to reach out, Happy calls veterans directly for consistent, confidential check-ins. frictionlessmentalhealth.com.
Precise Behavioral - Precise offers trauma-informed clinical services, including therapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and care coordination — all delivered via secure telehealth by licensed professionals. Learn more here: https://precisebehavioral.com.
Reality Center - The Reality Center provides in-person, neuroscience-based sensory wellness sessions in Santa Monica. Veterans experience light, sound, vibration, movement, and guided breathwork to help regulate the nervous system and reduce symptoms related to trauma, anxiety, and stress. Learn more here: https://www.realitymgmt.com/vpanoperationreset.
How It Works: From Referral to Support
Veterans can access the program in multiple ways:
Direct Intake Link for Veterans (Fastest): Complete the secure intake form for self-referral here: https://wkf.ms/3HRqdQ7
VPAN Peer Referral: Peer Specialists at VPAN can refer veterans through the VPAN Service Request Form here: https://wkf.ms/4nBr47R
For more information or for more urgent referrals, please contact the Program Manager, Kristan Toth, at kristan@frictionlessmentalhealth.com or call/text: 858-367-3001.
Once referred:
Needs Assessment: Veterans will receive a call from one of Happy’s Support Givers who will do an individualized intake to assess emotional, behavioral, and sensory wellness needs.
Service Matching: Based on intake results and preferences, veterans are connected to one or more of the three program partners.
Ongoing Support: Veterans will receive consistent, confidential care through regular emotional check-ins with Happy, as well as telehealth therapy, or in-person sensory healing if they desire those resources as well.
This program is available to all veterans in Los Angeles County — regardless of VA eligibility, discharge status, or participation in other mental health services. It offers an opportunity to access additional free resources and ensures that veterans always have a pathway to ongoing support, including referrals to other services as needed.
Program Reach and Impact
Serving 3,500+ veterans countywide, including those not eligible for VA care
Offering fully subsidized services at no cost to veterans
Targeting a 30% improvement in self-reported mental health and 20% increase in access to behavioral health
Quarterly public reports on engagement and wellness outcomes will track transparency and progress
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