Ccbhc-IA: the wellness center, santa FE springs, CA - LOS angeles centers for alcohol and drug abuse (L.A. Cada) is the behavioral healthcare safety net for very low-income residents of L.A. County

Using the scope of experience gained in the 2021 development of our ccbch in santa FE springs -- the wellness center -- together with our community partners and a local consumer advisory board, L.A. Cada will use the IA grant to improve and advance ccbhc services in L.A. County service planning area (SPA) 7. The IA grant will allow US to double current capacity from 150 to 300 patients served annually, including addition of two satellite offices to serve youth and families and lgbtq+ consumers. The IA grant will also facilitate delivery of crisis services in full alignment with 2023 ccbhc certification criteria. The catchment area of L.A. County SPA 7 has the largest latino population in L.A. County (74% latino overall and up to 96% in some SPA 7 cities). We are also home to 03% black; 09% asian/PI; and 14% white residents. Over 33% of our population of 1.3 million have less than a high school diploma (compared to 24% in L.A. County); 17% live below the poverty level; and 30% are food-insecure. Other treatment barriers faced by our community are fragmented services delivered in multiple systems, lack of health equity, and long wait times for treatment. People with little means have vastly reduced access to evidence-based behavioral healthcare, particularly people of color. A study found that 39% of L.A. County latinos could not access mental healthcare at all, and only one in three black people who needs mental health services receives them. Disadvantaged people are often placed on wait lists for publicly-funded treatment, including services provided by the L.A. County department of public health and the department of mental health. Wait lists have long been identified as a significant barrier to treatment - studies show that up to 50% of substance users will drop off a wait list between assessment and treatment entry. L.A. Cada's ccbhc advancement and improvement project will address grassroots needs to be identified by an updated community needs assessment. Our 2021 assessment revealed three community needs that have anchored ccbhc services: 1) close local disparities; 2) provide timely access to care; and 3) provide consumer-driven care. With IA funding, L.A. Cada will achieve full adherence to 2023 ccbhc certification criteria by 9/30/2024.