Youth Mental Health

LA County's BCHIP High Desert Crisis Residential Treatment Program and Children and Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit

In February 2023, SCG wrote to the California Department of Health Care Services and Advocates for Human Potential in support of Los Angeles County’s BCHIP High Desert Crisis Residential Treatment Program (CRTP) and Children and Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit (SCU)/Hub grant application. The Antelope Valley has the highest rate of children in the LA County public healthcare system, and is home to a fast growing population of children and families in need of crisis services. The proposed project would be the first in the Antelope Valley; although there are over 100 CRTP beds in the county system, none are in Service Area 1 (Antelope Valley). The nearest programs that are slated to open later this year are 50 miles away at the Olive View Medical Center campus in Sylmar. The proposed project would be a complement to the adjacent High Desert Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center (HDBHUCC), which saw over 3,500 client visits in its first year of operation. Ten percent of HDBHUCC clients were readmitted to the UCC within 30 days, and it is expected this number is high due to the lack of connectivity to nearby step-down residential treatment services. The High Desert CRTP would address a massive service gap in the LA County behavioral health system. 

Why It Matters

SCG is invested in advocating for the needs of our most vulnerable residents, especially when it comes to the County's role in providing systems of care and mental health services. There are critical capacity gaps in the County’s behavioral health facilities, and it is essential that philanthropic groups leverage their relationships and financial flexibility in mitigating harm done to communities most impacted. Physical and mental health are inextricably linked to one’s environment. SCG recognizes that disaster preparedness work and climate policy are crucial to ensuring safe environments for communities, especially historically marginalized groups including tribal and indigenous peoples, which in turn allows for more long-lasting, positive health outcomes. Access to integrated and well-rounded care within one’s community also has significant influence on success, for everyone from the insured to the underinsured to those relying on street medicine services.