In November 2022, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) officially assumed responsibility for Alternative Crisis Response (ACR) in L.A. County. The goal of ACR is to treat individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis in the County quickly, effectively, and with empathy at the least restrictive level of care to meet their short and long term needs in the mental health system, as appropriate, so that they can remain in their community. The Alternative Crisis Response program seeks to flip the response to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis by establishing a coordinated and clinically sound crisis continuum that aligns the 988 Call Center (someone to call), Field Intervention Teams (someone to respond), and Mental Health Urgent Care Centers, and Crisis Residential Treatment Programs (someplace to go).
A “behavioral health crisis” refers to situations where someone’s behavior might put themselves or others at risk or make it hard for them to take care of themselves or be part of their community. This can be due to their mental health or substance use. Behavioral health crises can include various things, like thoughts of suicide, acting aggressively, losing touch with reality, or having major mood changes.
Mobile crisis services are a critical component of LACDMH’s ACR Program. Our goal is to defuse behavioral health crises with the support of mental health experts, rather than solely through law enforcement, thereby preventing avoidable consequences of a police encounter, including preventable use of force, arrest, conviction and/or incarceration.
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988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is the preferred, “no wrong door” platform to access crisis care countywide. Trained crisis counselors can help people experiencing suicidal thoughts, mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or emotional distress through a call, text message, or chat.
Hours of Operation: 24/7
Ways to Access: Call or Text 988 or via online chat at https://988lifeline.org/chat/
LACDMH Access Help Line is an entry point for mental health services in Los Angeles County. Anyone can call this line to request a referral for mental health services or to request dispatch of a field intervention team (FIT) for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
Hours of Operation: 24/7
Ways to Access: Call (800) 854-7771
Field Intervention Teams (FIT) provide crisis intervention including therapy, support, education, and safety planning by a team of mental health professionals (e.g., clinician and peer) where the individual is most comfortable (e.g., home, school). FIT also provides, if needed, evaluation for involuntary detention and transport or arrange for transport to the least restrictive setting. FIT provides referrals/linkage to ongoing mental health treatment and follow-up services. FIT includes directly-operated Psychiatric Mobile Response Teams (PMRT) and contracted Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOT).
Hours of Operation: 24/7
Ways to Access: Call LACDMH ACCESS Help Line (800) 854-7771 or 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (if calling from an LA County area code)
Law Enforcement Teams (LET) are co-response teams consisting of an officer and a LACDMH mental health clinician who respond to 911 calls involving mental health crises. These teams ensure that the individuals in crisis receive appropriate, specialized care, and safe transportation to the treatment facilities.
Hours of Operation: Varies
Ways to Access: Diverted through 911
Therapeutic Transportation Program (TT) utilizes specialized vans deployed from L.A. City Fire and integrates mental health professionals with the emergency response calls that come into 911. All vans are staffed with an expert team from LACDMH and are comprised of a clinical driver, psychiatric technician, and a peer support specialist enabled to rapidly initiate crisis intervention, supportive case management and provide engagement, support and recovery-focused interventions to an individual experiencing a mental health crisis. Teams are able to transport clients to needed resources as appropriate.
Hours of Operation: 24/7
Ways to Access: Diverted through 911
Psychiatric Urgent Care Centers (UCC) offer 24/7 intensive, short-term stabilization in a warm and less sterile/clinical environment that include on-the-spot evaluations for therapeutic needs to avoid the need for inpatient services, assessment, therapy, medication services, and referrals. Services to the individual in crisis are less than 24-hours. Provide both voluntary and involuntary services.
Hours of Operation: 24/7
Ways to Access: Walk-In or transport via FIT, TT and LET
Crisis Residential Treatment Programs (CRTP) are designed to serve adults who are experiencing an acute psychiatric impairment and whose adaptive functioning is moderately impaired. CRTPs provide short-term, intensive, and supportive services in a home-like environment through an active social rehabilitation program designed to improve the lives and adaptive functioning of those it serves. Can be referred from a variety of treatment settings, including but not limited to: County hospital Psychiatric Emergency Services and community hospital emergency rooms, Psychiatric Urgent Care Centers (UCCs), Acute inpatient settings, and Intensive outpatient programs.
Hours of Operation: 24/7
Ways to Access: Typically through a referral from Emergency Department, UCC, inpatient psychiatry, or outpatient psychiatric provider
We are hiring for ACR programs!
LACDMH is currently hiring for all ACR Programs. Follow the links below to complete an application. For more information on how rewarding working for LACDMH can be, visit www.doworthwhilework.com.
Community Health Worker (Link Coming Soon)
Medical Case Worker (Link Coming Soon)
Psychiatric Technician I
Psychiatric Technician III
Clinical Psychologist I
Mental Health Counselor, RN
Psychiatric Social Worker I, Stipend
Psychiatric Social Worker II
Research Analyst II, BS (Link Coming Soon)
Driver (Link Coming Soon)
Supervising Psychologist
Mental Health Clinical Supervisor
Senior Mental Health Counselor, RN