We are happy to announce that the 2022 National Association of Counties (NACo) has named the LA County Department of Health Services and the LA County Department of Mental Health as Achievement Award Winners for the My Health LA Mental Health Prevention Program. MHLA recognizes that this award was the result of hard work and strong partnerships with our community partners and clinics. Our success and impact on our communities cannot happen without your cooperation. Thank you!
NACo is an organization dedicated to advancing excellence in public service across the United States, and it represents county officials and employees to advocate for county priorities and promote public understanding of county governments.
The fact that MHLA and DMH have received recognition in this context exemplifies the positive impact and service that we have provided for Los Angeles County residents. As you all know, trained staff at community clinics have provided screening and education and skill building on topics such as resiliency, healthy coping, stress reduction, emotional well-being and social supports, with the goal of building protective factors and reducing risk factors for developing a potentially serious mental illness. The Mental Health Prevention Program expands access to critical mental health services for a population that has long faced access barriers yet is disproportionately impacted by stress, trauma, poverty, social isolation and other risk factors for developing mental illness. In the first full year of the program, 27,603 patients received screening and/or services.
DMH Project Manager Robert B. Levine, LMFT, has been instrumental in meeting with and providing guidance to all MHLA CPs to implement these vital services. MHLA is grateful for this collaborative effort with DMH for the benefit of the program participants.
The County of Los Angeles has a history of submitting programs for NACo’s consideration, with the most recent submissions being met with a resounding success. This year, 73 of the 76 Los Angeles County submissions earned Achievement Awards and sets a new best record to date.
