Los Angeles County Expands Mental Health, Medical Services in Homeless Shelters
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority this year will offer expanded mental health and medical services at all of its shelters through a two-year, $600,000 grant from the California Endowment, the Los Angeles Times reports. Homeless patients will receive care from six health care providers either at one of the county's 16 shelters -- including nine new shelters that open on Monday -- or in medical mobile units. According to Mitchell Netburn, executive director of the authority, many homeless people have small medical conditions that turn into serious problems when left untreated because they do not have access to regular medical care. "The long-term goal is to provide an ongoing relationship with homeless individuals and refer them to clinics and hospitals so they can receive treatment throughout the year," Netburn said. Scott Milbourn, the county's emergency shelter program coordinator, said that Los Angeles County Mental Health Services also will provide more care than in previous years, adding that the agency will work to help patients find "housing, a job, counseling and treatment" for their mental illnesses and other issues, such as substance abuse (Haynes, Los Angeles Times, 11/27).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.