In an effort to better serve the city's homeless population, Trellis International and Be Well OC of Newport Beach recently sponsored the city's first mobile mental health crisis team.
After launching later this year, the initiative will deploy two-person teams of experienced crisis counselors and paramedic teams into the community to respond to relevant calls that the city's Police Department would normally handle.
The objective is to provide emergency mental health assistance to homeless persons who may be suffering a crisis.
Be Well OC Mobile Crisis Response Team
According to the Orange County Register, the City Council authorized a one-year deal worth $1.2 million on Sept. 28 to fund the Be Well OC Mobile Crisis Response Team.
Using public and private resources, the non-profit organization in the area helps those in need of mental health support services. In September, Be Well OC opened its first mobile office in Huntington Beach.
To assist in covering the costs of a vehicle and setup, an anonymous Newport Beach resident has donated $132,000 to the cause.
A total of $717,000 will come from federal funds, while the remaining $376,000 will come from a budget previously set aside for homeless shelter operations by the City of Los Angeles.
Officials have stated that the city will look for more grants, contributions, and cost-sharing options as the project progresses.
A $30,000 Grant for Trellis International
Trellis International, an organization in Costa Mesa, received a $30,000 grant to fund a program that sends a team of four homeless individuals to clean up or beautify the city.
As a reward for their participation, Newport Beach Mayor Brad Avery said, the initiative pays those who clean up the garbage left behind by visitors.
He added that the city benefits from this service as well.
Every weekend, city employees clean up the trash on the beaches, and graffiti is scrubbed away almost every day.
He also added that people should all have the opportunity to experience being compensated for their efforts.
He mentioned the Trellis' project that will benefit and reward those who will participate.
According to the report, Councilman Will O'Neill said that collaborations with the two organizations fit well with success previously observed with CityNet, Newport Beach's social services provider, and the city of Costa Mesa.
“The goal of ending homelessness isn’t just to bring people off the streets temporarily. The concept of teaching the person to fish rather than just giving them a fish is ancient. Trellis is a well-run organization filled with dedicated staff and volunteers whose program provides the dignity of work to people as they transition from homelessness,” said Councilman Will O’Neill, as quoted by the OCR.
Despite his belief that the city is helping the homeless community by funding these two initiatives, Avery believes there is still much to be done.
Bits About Trellis International
Trellis International is an organization of leaders and pastors from Costa Mesa.
According to the organization's mission and vision statement, they help their city's most significant issues be addressed through a collaborative effort amongst churches, companies, organizations, and government authorities.
About Be Well OC
Mental health and substance use treatment is provided at the Be Well Orange Campus for Orange County residents who are referred for treatment.
For optimal mental health in the community, Be Well OC brings together a strong cross-sector approach involving public and business sectors, as well as academia, church, and others.
