Meeting_Body

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

JANUARY 18, 2024

Preamble

Motion by:

DIRECTORS HAHN, SOLIS, HORVATH, BARGER, DUTRA and SANDOVAL

Mental Health Training and Services Referral

As part of Metro’s multilayered approach to public safety, the agency has 24 Homeless Outreach teams, whose primary purpose is to engage and connect unhoused riders to resources, as well as over 300 transit ambassadors, more than 200 transit security officers, and contracted law enforcement. For many of these personnel, a fundamental understanding on how to engage with someone who may be experiencing mental health challenges could make all the difference.

In FY24, Metro is spending $25.3 Million on homeless and mental health outreach, which is an increase of $10 Million from FY23. This includes funding for case managers; outreach, addiction, and mental health specialists; and medical support personnel. Metro also contracts with six community-based organizations, who serve portions of each of Metro’s rail lines for every day of the week.

In addition to these Metro-specific efforts, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) has various programs and services available that could help individuals on the Metro system.  For example, DMH Homeless Outreach Mobile Engagement (HOME) teams bring mental health services to chronically unhoused individuals suffering from severe and persistent mental illness and Psychiatric Mobile Response Teams (PMRT) which are non-law enforcement teams of mental health professionals that respond to people in mental health crisis.  There are many people already employed by or contracted with Metro who could benefit from knowing basic information on recognizing a mental health situation and how to refer to and/or access the crucial DMH services.

Board Direction (Item 2023-0683, October 2023) instructed Metro staff to develop a Social Resources and Homelessness Action Plan to address homelessness within the Metro system, including partnerships with appropriate LA County Departments. In keeping with both prior Board direction, and also programs and services available through LA County DMH and related agencies, these agencies and Metro staff and contractors could and should work together more seamlessly.

Subject

SUBJECT:                     MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING AND SERVICES REFERRAL MOTION

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RECOMMENDATION

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APPROVE Motion by Directors Hahn, Solis, Horvath, Barger, Dutra and Sandoval that the Board direct the Chief Executive Officer to coordinate with the LA County Department of Mental Health, as well as applicable local jurisdictions, such as the City of Long Beach, in order to:

A.                     Provide appropriate mental health training to frontline Metro staff and contractors, including resources, situational awareness information, and referral materials; and,

B.                     Develop a way for Metro personnel to access intensive mental health outreach, engagement, and treatment and/or alternative crisis response services when indicated for persons on the Metro bus and rail system.

We further direct the CEO to report back to the Board on the above items in 90 days.