Los Angeles County expands mental health treatment bed network with new funding and initiatives

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting on May 6, 2025, focused on critical updates regarding the county's mental health treatment infrastructure. Key presentations were made by Lisa Wong, Director of Mental Health, and Dr. Gary Tsai from the Department of Health Services, detailing the current status and future plans for the county's treatment bed network.

Wong highlighted the ongoing expansion of treatment and residential beds as part of the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP). She reported that the county has added a total of 25 acute beds and 20 subacute beds in recent months, with additional beds expected to come online soon. The presentation emphasized the importance of refining data related to treatment beds to better serve the community's needs.

A significant point of discussion was the need for accurate inventory data on locked mental health facility beds in Los Angeles County. Supervisors expressed concerns about the current capacity and the necessity for more beds to accommodate individuals in treatment. Wong acknowledged the challenge in providing exact numbers but committed to delivering this information to the board.

Dr. Tsai provided insights into the Department of Public Health's efforts in conjunction with the mental health department, noting the addition of 124 residential beds and 190 interim housing beds over the past fiscal year. He also mentioned plans to utilize funding from the Homekey Plus initiative to create permanent supportive housing options for individuals with mental health challenges.

The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges in contracting for mental health beds and the need for a comprehensive understanding of available resources. Supervisors called for a clearer picture of the total number of licensed inpatient and subacute beds to better address the needs of the community.

As the board continues to navigate these issues, the focus remains on enhancing the mental health infrastructure to support individuals in need, particularly those experiencing homelessness and co-occurring disorders. The next steps include obtaining detailed bed inventory data and leveraging state programs to expand housing options for vulnerable populations.