As communities continue to seek the best solutions to address mental health crises, the City of West Hollywood’s (WeHo) Care Team is a new approach for responding with compassionate in-person support in nonviolent situations. Managed by Sycamores, the WeHo Care Team has been providing access to prompt mental health crisis support and services since the beginning of September 2023.
Dedicated to serving West Hollywood community members, the WeHo Care Team serves as a complement to existing Field Intervention Teams (FIT) staffed by one or more Licensed Mental Health Professionals provided by the LA County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH), Sycamores, and Vista Del Mar. Each Care Team is staffed by two Peer Support Specialists, individuals who have personal experience (themselves or their child) with homelessness, child welfare services, substance use, or mental health challenges. Their lived experience gives them valuable insight into what individuals in crisis and what their families may be experiencing.
The WeHo Care Team responds to calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline when in-person support is needed in West Hollywood, and it is determined that Care Team services are the best match. Additionally, 911 Emergency Dispatchers, West Hollywood Sheriff’s Deputies, and LA County Fire personnel can also request on-scene support from the WeHo Care Team when there is a need to have “eyes on an individual” to get a better assessment of the situation.
The WeHo Care Team helps stabilize individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. They are ready to perform CPR and are equipped with Narcan to treat narcotic overdoses, when needed. The essential function of the Care Team is to help individuals create a safety plan and to link them to resources and services in the community for follow-up support. When the WeHo Care Team determines a higher level of support is required, they contact the LA County Department of Mental Health, and a Field Intervention Team will be dispatched.
The City of West Hollywood and Sycamores collaborate with the LA County Department of Mental Health’s Alternative Crisis Response System to build the best response team and system to support West Hollywood community members during a mental health emergency. According to Dr. Jana Lord, Sycamores Chief Operating Officer, “We were intentional about not duplicating services that Field Intervention Teams already provide. The City of West Hollywood has been a fabulous partner in developing the program, welcoming our input based on our Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams’ experiences and leveraging the unique skill set of our Peer Support Specialists.” In partnership with LACDMH, Sycamores Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams have been providing mobile crisis response for much of LA County since October 2022.
“The WeHo Care Team is fulfilling a vital role in the community. West Hollywood has excellent social services and support, but non-emergency services are not available during the overnight hours. We have been able to bridge that gap – responding after hours when individuals need help – and making sure they follow up with the myriad of other agencies in the city during business hours,” said Dr. Ayana Rose, Sycamores Vice President of Clinical Services.
The WeHo Care Team provides services Monday through Friday, 2PM to 6AM, including holidays, and will be expanding to around-the-clock services, seven days a week. The program works closely with the LA County Department of Mental Health mobile teams, which offer 24/7 crisis response services and support.
