Didi Hirsch Psychiatric Service

PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER & SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICES TO UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS.

DHMHS PROVIDES CARING OUTPATIENT AND RESIDENTIAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES THROUGHOUT LOS ANGELES COUNTY. WITH AN OPERATING BUDGET OF $54.4 MILLION, OVER 550 STAFF AND 300 VOLUNTEERS AND DELIVERING SERVICES IN NEIGHBORHOODS FROM PACOIMA TO INGLEWOOD, TO WEST LA AND MACARTHUR PARK THE AGENCY SERVED OVER 153,000 CHILDREN, FAMILY MEMBERS, ADULTS AND OLDER ADULTS THROUGH 10 COMMUNITY-BASED LOCATIONS AND 87 SCHOOLS. BY DOING SO, DHMHS HAS RESPONDED TO A SIGNIFICANT NEED AS MORE THAN 85% OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE CLIENTS SERVED LIVE AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL. OUTPATIENT SERVICES - DHMHS OFFERS INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, AND GROUP COUNSELING; PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATION MANAGEMENT; AND CASE MANAGEMENT FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN. INTENSIVE SERVICES ARE DELIVERED TO THOSE EXPERIENCING SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS IN COMMUNITY, HOME, AND CLINIC SETTINGS. ON THE CAMPUSES OF ALMOST 85 SCHOOLS, OUR THERAPISTS HELP STUDENTS ADDRESS EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES AND SUCCEED IN THEIR STUDIES. CLIENTS ALSO WORK ON THEIR WELLNESS AND RECOVERY THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN PEER-LED SUPPORT GROUPS, CLASSES, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. THE AGENCY ALSO BRINGS PRIMARY CARE PRACTITIONERS FROM LOCAL FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS ON SITE TO IMPROVE CLIENTS' ACCESS TO OTHER HEALTH SERVICES, HOWEVER THIS SERVICE WAS SUSPENDED DURING 2021 DUE TO PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS ON CLINIC OPERATIONS.CRISIS RESIDENTIAL CARE - DIDI HIRSCH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IS LOS ANGELES COUNTY'S LONGEST SERVING PROVIDER OF CRISIS RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT, OPERATING TWO RESIDENCES, JUMP STREET AND EXCELSIOR HOUSE. THROUGH OUR SHORT-TERM PROGRAM, MEN AND WOMEN IN PSYCHIATRIC CRISIS MANY OF WHOM ARE HOMELESS OR AT-RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS REGAIN STABILITY AND IMPROVE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND LIVING SITUATIONS.SPECIALIZED CHILDREN'S SERVICES - OUR AGENCY PROVIDES SPECIALIZED FOSTER CARE SERVICES TO ASSESS AND TREAT CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA AND ABUSE. MANY OF THESE CHILDREN ARE FIVE-YEARS-OLD AND YOUNGER, SO THROUGH OUR ZERO TO FIVE PROGRAM WE HELP AT-RISK FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN DEVELOP POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS THAT LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE SUCCESS. SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS IN SOUTH LOS ANGELES, INGLEWOOD AND THE MACARTHUR PARK NEIGHBORHOODS PROVIDE SUPPORT AND THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT AND HEALING TO YOUTH RECOVERING FROM THE HARROWING, SOLITARY JOURNEYS THAT TOOK THEM FROM FORMER WAR-TORN COUNTRIES IN CENTRAL AMERICA - MANY OF WHICH ARE STILL MARKED BY SIGNIFICANT VIOLENCE AND LAWLESSNESS - TO THE UNITED STATES. ADDITIONALLY, A DEDICATED PROGRAM TAILORED TO YOUTH AGES 15-24 UTILIZES THERAPY AND MEDICATION TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR ILLNESSES AND ASSISTS THEM IN PURSUING AND ATTAINING THEIR EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT GOALS. BECAUSE OF ITS COMMITMENT TO CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH FINDINGS AND BEST PRACTICES, DIDI HIRSCH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IS AN ACTIVE AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL CHILD TRAUMATIC STRESS NETWORK (NCTSN). SUICIDE PREVENTION - WITH CONTRACTS FROM STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES, LOS ANGELES COUNTY AND ORANGE COUNTY, THE SUICIDE PREVENTION CENTER (SPC) OPERATES THE OLDEST 24/7 SUICIDE PREVENTION CRISIS LINE IN THE NATION. THIS HOTLINE UTILIZES THE SERVICES AND SUPPORT OF ENGLISH- AND SPANISH-SPEAKING COUNSELORS AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES AND KOREAN-SPEAKING COUNSELORS DURING PEAK HOURS. IN CALENDAR YEAR 2021, THROUGH THIS HOTLINE AS WELL AS THE DISASTER DISTRESS HELPLINE AND SPC CHAT LINE, STAFF RESPONDED TO 128,643 CALLS, CHATS AND TEXTS FROM DISTRESSED INDIVIDUALS OR LOVED ONES CONCERNED ABOUT THEM. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE PREVENTION TRAINING AT SCHOOLS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, HOSPITALS, COUNSELING CENTERS, AND PLACES OF WORSHIP. OUR SUICIDE RESPONSE TEAM OFFERS IMMEDIATE SUPPORT AT THE SCENE OF SUICIDES THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOS ANGELES MAYOR'S CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE TO SUICIDE, SPC PROVIDES BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS AND TELEPHONE COUNSELING. IT ALSO OFFERS SUPPORT GROUPS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. THIS SUPPORT GROUP CURRICULUM FOR SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE ATTEMPTS HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY A NATIONAL REGISTRY AND REQUESTED 2213 TIMES BY THOSE WORKING WITH SURVIVORS IN ALL 50 STATES AND AN ADDITIONAL 38 NATIONS. WE HAVE TRAINED OVER 300 FACILITATORS FROM 24 STATES IN OUR MODEL.

DHMHS OFFERS SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT PREVENTION COUNSELING IN OUR COMMUNITY-BASED CLINICS AND IN THE FIELD FOR TEENS AND ADULTS WITH DRUG- AND ALCOHOL-RELATED PROBLEMS, INCLUDING FORMERLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY'S HOUSING FIRST PROGRAM, KNOWN AS PROJECT 50.CLIENT ENGAGEMENT AND SERVICES CENTER (CENS) THROUGH THE CENS SYSTEM, DHMHS SERVES AS A LIAISON BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED WITH STATE, COUNTY, CITY AND HOSPITAL PARTNERS (E.G., COURTS, PROBATION SYSTEM) AND SPECIALTY SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES. OUR COUNSELORS ENGAGE AND FACILITATE LINKAGE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT SERVICES AND PROGRAMS. WOMEN'S RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT - THROUGH THE AGENCY'S VIA AVANTA PROGRAM, WOMEN ARE ABLE TO RECOVER FROM SERIOUS SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND MENTAL ILLNESS IN A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE LIVING ENVIRONMENT. WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, AND SUBSTANCE USE COUNSELING SESSIONS; PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT; PARENTING CLASSES; AND OTHER ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO MAINTAIN SOBRIETY AND IMPROVE EMPLOYMENT AND LIFE SKILLS. CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF SIX WHO LIVE WITH THEIR MOTHERS ON SITE TAKE PART IN DEVELOPMENTALLY BENEFICIAL ACTIVITIES.

EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING SERVICES - THROUGH OUR CALWORKS PROGRAM, DHMHS SUPPORTS CLIENTS IN THEIR JOB SEARCHES AND HAS HELPED 70% OF INDIVIDUALS REFERRED FOR SERVICES GAIN EMPLOYMENT. CLIENTS ARE ALSO ASSISTED WITH SECURING SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE HOUSING THROUGH OUR HOUSING SPECIALISTS, WHO ADVOCATE ON THEIR BEHALF WITH HOUSING AGENCIES AND LANDLORDS AND VISIT PROSPECTIVE LIVING SITUATIONS WITH THEM.

DHMHS PROVIDES CARING OUTPATIENT AND RESIDENTIAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES THROUGHOUT LOS ANGELES COUNTY. WITH AN OPERATING BUDGET OF $54.4 MILLION, OVER 550 STAFF AND 300 VOLUNTEERS AND DELIVERING SERVICES IN NEIGHBORHOODS FROM PACOIMA TO INGLEWOOD, TO WEST LA AND MACARTHUR PARK THE AGENCY SERVED OVER 153,000 CHILDREN, FAMILY MEMBERS, ADULTS AND OLDER ADULTS THROUGH 10 COMMUNITY-BASED LOCATIONS AND 87 SCHOOLS. BY DOING SO, DHMHS HAS RESPONDED TO A SIGNIFICANT NEED AS MORE THAN 85% OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE CLIENTS SERVED LIVE AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL. OUTPATIENT SERVICES - DHMHS OFFERS INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, AND GROUP COUNSELING; PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATION MANAGEMENT; AND CASE MANAGEMENT FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN. INTENSIVE SERVICES ARE DELIVERED TO THOSE EXPERIENCING SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS IN COMMUNITY, HOME, AND CLINIC SETTINGS. ON THE CAMPUSES OF ALMOST 85 SCHOOLS, OUR THERAPISTS HELP STUDENTS ADDRESS EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES AND SUCCEED IN THEIR STUDIES. CLIENTS ALSO WORK ON THEIR WELLNESS AND RECOVERY THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN PEER-LED SUPPORT GROUPS, CLASSES, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. THE AGENCY ALSO BRINGS PRIMARY CARE PRACTITIONERS FROM LOCAL FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS ON SITE TO IMPROVE CLIENTS' ACCESS TO OTHER HEALTH SERVICES, HOWEVER THIS SERVICE WAS SUSPENDED DURING 2021 DUE TO PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS ON CLINIC OPERATIONS.CRISIS RESIDENTIAL CARE - DIDI HIRSCH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IS LOS ANGELES COUNTY'S LONGEST SERVING PROVIDER OF CRISIS RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT, OPERATING TWO RESIDENCES, JUMP STREET AND EXCELSIOR HOUSE. THROUGH OUR SHORT-TERM PROGRAM, MEN AND WOMEN IN PSYCHIATRIC CRISIS MANY OF WHOM ARE HOMELESS OR AT-RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS REGAIN STABILITY AND IMPROVE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND LIVING SITUATIONS.SPECIALIZED CHILDREN'S SERVICES - OUR AGENCY PROVIDES SPECIALIZED FOSTER CARE SERVICES TO ASSESS AND TREAT CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA AND ABUSE. MANY OF THESE CHILDREN ARE FIVE-YEARS-OLD AND YOUNGER, SO THROUGH OUR ZERO TO FIVE PROGRAM WE HELP AT-RISK FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN DEVELOP POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS THAT LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE SUCCESS. SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS IN SOUTH LOS ANGELES, INGLEWOOD AND THE MACARTHUR PARK NEIGHBORHOODS PROVIDE SUPPORT AND THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT AND HEALING TO YOUTH RECOVERING FROM THE HARROWING, SOLITARY JOURNEYS THAT TOOK THEM FROM FORMER WAR-TORN COUNTRIES IN CENTRAL AMERICA - MANY OF WHICH ARE STILL MARKED BY SIGNIFICANT VIOLENCE AND LAWLESSNESS - TO THE UNITED STATES. ADDITIONALLY, A DEDICATED PROGRAM TAILORED TO YOUTH AGES 15-24 UTILIZES THERAPY AND MEDICATION TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR ILLNESSES AND ASSISTS THEM IN PURSUING AND ATTAINING THEIR EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT GOALS. BECAUSE OF ITS COMMITMENT TO CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH FINDINGS AND BEST PRACTICES, DIDI HIRSCH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IS AN ACTIVE AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL CHILD TRAUMATIC STRESS NETWORK (NCTSN). SUICIDE PREVENTION - WITH CONTRACTS FROM STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES, LOS ANGELES COUNTY AND ORANGE COUNTY, THE SUICIDE PREVENTION CENTER (SPC) OPERATES THE OLDEST 24/7 SUICIDE PREVENTION CRISIS LINE IN THE NATION. THIS HOTLINE UTILIZES THE SERVICES AND SUPPORT OF ENGLISH- AND SPANISH-SPEAKING COUNSELORS AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES AND KOREAN-SPEAKING COUNSELORS DURING PEAK HOURS. IN CALENDAR YEAR 2021, THROUGH THIS HOTLINE AS WELL AS THE DISASTER DISTRESS HELPLINE AND SPC CHAT LINE, STAFF RESPONDED TO 128,643 CALLS, CHATS AND TEXTS FROM DISTRESSED INDIVIDUALS OR LOVED ONES CONCERNED ABOUT THEM. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE PREVENTION TRAINING AT SCHOOLS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, HOSPITALS, COUNSELING CENTERS, AND PLACES OF WORSHIP. OUR SUICIDE RESPONSE TEAM OFFERS IMMEDIATE SUPPORT AT THE SCENE OF SUICIDES THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOS ANGELES MAYOR'S CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE TO SUICIDE, SPC PROVIDES BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS AND TELEPHONE COUNSELING. IT ALSO OFFERS SUPPORT GROUPS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. THIS SUPPORT GROUP CURRICULUM FOR SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE ATTEMPTS HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY A NATIONAL REGISTRY AND REQUESTED 2213 TIMES BY THOSE WORKING WITH SURVIVORS IN ALL 50 STATES AND AN ADDITIONAL 38 NATIONS. WE HAVE TRAINED OVER 300 FACILITATORS FROM 24 STATES IN OUR MODEL.

DHMHS OFFERS SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT PREVENTION COUNSELING IN OUR COMMUNITY-BASED CLINICS AND IN THE FIELD FOR TEENS AND ADULTS WITH DRUG- AND ALCOHOL-RELATED PROBLEMS, INCLUDING FORMERLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY'S HOUSING FIRST PROGRAM, KNOWN AS PROJECT 50.CLIENT ENGAGEMENT AND SERVICES CENTER (CENS) THROUGH THE CENS SYSTEM, DHMHS SERVES AS A LIAISON BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED WITH STATE, COUNTY, CITY AND HOSPITAL PARTNERS (E.G., COURTS, PROBATION SYSTEM) AND SPECIALTY SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES. OUR COUNSELORS ENGAGE AND FACILITATE LINKAGE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT SERVICES AND PROGRAMS. WOMEN'S RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT - THROUGH THE AGENCY'S VIA AVANTA PROGRAM, WOMEN ARE ABLE TO RECOVER FROM SERIOUS SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND MENTAL ILLNESS IN A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE LIVING ENVIRONMENT. WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, AND SUBSTANCE USE COUNSELING SESSIONS; PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT; PARENTING CLASSES; AND OTHER ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO MAINTAIN SOBRIETY AND IMPROVE EMPLOYMENT AND LIFE SKILLS. CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF SIX WHO LIVE WITH THEIR MOTHERS ON SITE TAKE PART IN DEVELOPMENTALLY BENEFICIAL ACTIVITIES.

EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING SERVICES - THROUGH OUR CALWORKS PROGRAM, DHMHS SUPPORTS CLIENTS IN THEIR JOB SEARCHES AND HAS HELPED 70% OF INDIVIDUALS REFERRED FOR SERVICES GAIN EMPLOYMENT. CLIENTS ARE ALSO ASSISTED WITH SECURING SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE HOUSING THROUGH OUR HOUSING SPECIALISTS, WHO ADVOCATE ON THEIR BEHALF WITH HOUSING AGENCIES AND LANDLORDS AND VISIT PROSPECTIVE LIVING SITUATIONS WITH THEM.