AB-2034

Foundations (AB2034)

14660 Oxnard Street
Van Nuys, CA 91411
(818) 904-3946

Ellie, a 34 year-old Hispanic female, was recently released from Los Angeles County Jail after serving 18 months for a crime committed while in a psychotic state. Part of her sentence was served at Patton State Hospital where she was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and placed on medications. She describes herself as "a different person" today. However, upon release from jail, she was homeless and without money or medication for her mental condition or seizure disorder.

Joseph too was first diagnosed with bi-polar disorder while incarcerated. Again, his offense was directly due to symptoms of his mental illness. Joseph also had no resources upon release from Twin Towers Jail and would have been on the streets with no money, no medication, and no housing had it not been for the Foundations (AB2043) program. Both Ellie and Joseph were discharged to the care of the Foundations (AB2043) team, who arranged for them to receive immediate emergency housing and a psychiatric evaluation within 24 hours. Ellie and Joseph were also able to quickly receive medication and services to address their basic needs.

What is Foundations (AB2043)?

Foundations (AB2043) is a State Senate bill which provides funds to help homeless, mentally ill, forensic clients on a long-term basis. In a collaborative effort, mental health workers in courts, jails, and communities work together to locate and serve appropriate clients for the program.

Who qualifies for Foundations (AB2043) Intensive Services?

Foundations (AB2043) operates under the PACT model, Programs of Assertive Community Treatment. The program serves the chronically homeless mentally ill that are either in jail or require a high level of intensive case management available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

All Foundations (AB2043) clients have three things in common: a history of involvement with law enforcement, possible incarcerations; homelessness, (or risk of homelessness); and a mental disorder. Clients are referred to the Foundations (AB2043) program from jail during incarceration, while in the courts, through aggressive street outreach, or by referrals from parole, probation, or police officers.

Often mentally ill individuals run afoul of the law and are incarcerated. Later they are released to the streets, as Ellie and Joseph were, homeless, penniless, and disoriented, to begin the cycle again.

What services are provided?

Clients who are accepted into the Foundations (AB2043) program while incarcerated are visited in the jails where an assessment is made. The Foundations (AB2043) teams then accompany the clients to court appearances. Upon release, the Foundations (AB2043) team transports them to the program site. Clients who are not incarcerated are referred through other avenues and may also receive a variety of services. Services include:

· Psychiatric evaluation
· Medication monitoring and support
· Medical evaluation
· Mental health counseling
· Case management
· Shelter and referral to transitional or permanent housing
· Benefits assistance
· Education and vocational assistance.
· All services are designed to keep clients mentally stable, off the streets, and out of jail.

Most Foundations (AB2043) clients say they immediately begin to feel the relief of having a team of professionals advocating for them. Clients are assured that their case management and mental health services will continue on a long-term basis. From the beginning, emphasis is placed on client stabilization, client empowerment, and group support.

Fees

Fees are based upon the client's ability to pay. Remaining costs are covered by Medi-Cal, or by Short/Doyle funds for clients without Medi-Cal

Funding

Funds are provided in whole or in part by the County of Los Angeles through the Department of Mental Health.