Click here to read about episodes one and two.

Episodes Three and Four:

In the third episode of our podcast, Mental Health on the Frontlines, we visit another Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) Peer Resource Center (PRC) in south Los Angeles, located on the Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital (MLK) campus in South Los Angeles. On the ground floor of a welcoming building, the center offers a variety of mental health services designed to support the community.

Roslynn Adolphus, Supervising Community Health Worker, shares insights into the diverse range of activities and support to anyone who walks through the door—whether through art classes, parenting groups, and special attention for youth between 18-25. Located at the intersection of Watts and Compton, neighborhoods facing tough socio-economic challenges, the PRC’s staff, like Roslynn, are dedicated to meeting people wherever they are, providing hope and connection. The center serves as a model for strengthening communities through compassionate care in troubling times.

In the final episode of our special series on Peer Resource Centers at LACDMH, we meet Jaime Gomez, Supervising Community Health Worker, who relishes that his programming specializes in reaching out into neighborhoods on the Eastside. Rather than working out of a single building, Jaime’s team takes a mobile approach, using parks, libraries and schools to reach individuals, families, and seniors who might not seek help at traditional offices for mental health services. Jaime explains how their work brings mental health services to people, normalizing emotional challenges and showing that seeking support is part of the human experience. His team’s efforts help break the stigma around mental illness and open doors to healing. One of their signature initiatives, Coffee With A Side of Healing, blends casual conversation with professional support, creating a relaxed way for people to engage with mental health services.

 

Episodes Five and Six: Highlights CARE Court

Los Angeles continues to grapple with the challenge of addressing mental illness before it becomes severe. This issue, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has grown into a national crisis. In Los Angeles, it is not uncommon for individuals experiencing psychotic disorders to appear in court after breaking the law. In response, a groundbreaking program, CARE Court (Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment), was launched in December 2023.

This innovative approach focuses on providing services rather than punishment to individuals in need. CARE Court offers eligible participants a voluntary program designed to surround them with comprehensive support. This effort involves collaboration between the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, the Department of Public Health, Public Defenders/Independent Defense Counsel offices, and various community agencies.

In these episodes, Superior Court Judge Scott R. Herin and Judge Rene Gilbertson, the presiding judges of CARE Court, discuss the program’s goals to promote wellbeing and empowerment. They explain how individuals can qualify through a court petition and how recovery plans are tailored, navigated, and monitored. CARE Court, still in its early stages, holds promise for giving those with mental illness the opportunity to thrive within their communities.

 

Episode #7: Inspiring Change Through CARE Court

In our ongoing podcast series, Commentaries from the Edge, we explore CARE (Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment) Court, a groundbreaking judicial initiative designed to foster healing and rehabilitation for individuals suffering from untreated mental illness. Far from a place of punishment, CARE Court represents a partnership for change, driven by LACDMH.

This episode features two dedicated professionals at the forefront of this transformative program: Dr. Nilsa Gallardo, Program Manager, and Felipe Andalon, Mental Health Case Worker. Together, they share inspiring stories of lives turned around through CARE Court’s innovative approach. Dr. Gallardo, the Administrator overseeing LACDMH’s involvement, and Andalon, who works tirelessly to build trust and hope with each client, exemplify the commitment and expertise that make CARE Court a powerful agent of change.

 

Episode #8: Celebrating Success and Collaboration

In the concluding episode of our series on CARE Court, we are joined by Dr. Sarah Church, Supervising Psychologist at LACDMH. Dr. Church shares compelling stories of individuals who have begun to rebuild their lives through CARE Court’s support. She explains how the program’s success hinges on partnerships with various government agencies and community organizations, including Public Health and the Public Defenders’ offices.

Dr. Church plays a vital role as a liaison between these collaborators and her team on the frontlines, ensuring individuals receive the care they need to enter a continuum of recovery and hope. She also outlines the process for filing a petition for someone with mental illness, emphasizing the importance of the Presiding Judge’s review as the first step in accessing CARE Court services.

Join us in celebrating the transformative impact of CARE Court and the stories of hope it inspires. Launched in Dec. 2023, CARE Court aims to provide coordinated services and new insights for those with serious psychotic disorders. For more information on CARE Court and how to petition for someone in need, visit LACourt.org/CARE.

Click here to listen to Commentaries from the Edge on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.