LOS ANGELES, Calif. — In an effort to expand proven solutions in breaking the cycle between incarceration and homelessness – that acutely impacts people with severe mental illness in the Los Angeles County jail system, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion presented by Supervisors Holly J. Mitchell and Lindsey P. Horvath that calls for sustainably increasing the number of beds within the Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR) Housing. The motion directs the Chief Executive Office in collaboration with ODR to create a timeline and list of potential funding resources available in Fiscal Year of 2024-25 to get to a minimum of 1,000 slots for appropriate care and permanent housing that will be provided by ODR.

“The crisis in our jail system requires sustainable investments in the strategies we know are working. Developing a funding roadmap is crucial in ensuring County-led solutions like the Office of Diversion and Reentry Housing have the ability to add housing and support services to accommodate new clients who are best served in the community and not in our jails” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District.

“Our Board’s commitment to a Care First, Jails Last vision for Los Angeles County means we must quickly expand community-based treatment, services, and housing to safely divert individuals who are ready at every possible juncture from the criminal justice system,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, Third District. “I am proud to join Supervisor Mitchell on this action to responsibly and expeditiously expand the Office of Diversion and Re-entry, which is an essential component of the system of care the County needs to serve our most vulnerable residents. Both ODR’s community-based competency restoration work, as well as its clinical diversion program, continue to receive well-deserved praise from the Courts, community stakeholders, and justice reform advocates.” 

LA County has the largest jail population in the world with close to 14,000 people incarcerated. Last year, it was reported that nearly 39 percent of the people in County jails were suffering from severe mental health needs. In 2015, the Board of Supervisors created ODR to reduce the number of people incarcerated in County jails with mental health and/or substance abuse use disorders who are at risk of homelessness. Several studies have shown that ODR’s programming has the ability to successfully stabilize individuals and equip them with the tools necessary to rejoin their communities.

To read the full motion, click here.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell joined Nicole Avant, daughter of the late and prolific philanthropist, Jacqueline Avant, the MLK Health and Wellness Community Development Corporation and over 100 special guests to commemorate the name unveiling for the Jacqueline Avant Children & Family Center (The Center) located in the Watts-Willowbrook community.

The three-story and 50,000 sq. ft. Center will serve as a national model for programs that address the complex needs of at-risk children struggling with trauma, health, and mental health problems. The first floor is now open, and the second floor will open to the community this summer. The third floor will be finished by the end of this year.

“It was an honor to join the Avant family for this special day. I cannot think of a better way to uplift Jacqueline Avant’s legacy. She dedicated her life to supporting and investing in a brighter future for the children of South LA,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District. “The Jacqueline Avant Children & Family Center is a welcomed community asset to the Second District that furthers our commitment to support children and families in accessing a multitude of health and mental health resources.”

“My family and I are thrilled and honored to celebrate the unveiling of the Jacqueline Avant Children and Family Center,” said Nicole Avant. “For over 50 years, my mom was dedicated to the mental, physical, and spiritual health of the children and families in South Los Angeles and was on a mission to improve the quality of life for those less fortunate. This new state of the art facility is evidence that my mother’s vision and her commitment to serving others has come to fruition and nothing makes me prouder.”

The County of Los Angeles invested $55 million to build the new Center that will serve thousands of children and teens, including many who are entering or involved with the County’s foster care system.

Thanks to the generosity of friends and supporters of Jacqueline Avant, and in partnership with the MLK Health and Wellness Community Development Corporation, furniture, electronics, artwork, books, and equipment were purchased to support the operations of the first floor Pediatric Clinic, and additional funds have been dedicated to support programming, a playground and wrap-around services for the youth served at The Center.

“We have been awed by the outpouring of generosity among Jacqueline Avant’s closest friends and supporters,” said Linda Griego, Founder of the MLK Health and Wellness Community Development Corporation. “The MLK CDC Board of Directors are honored to partner with Supervisor Mitchell and the County of Los Angeles to ensure that Jacqueline Avant’s dedication to uplifting the lives of the most vulnerable children and young people in South Los Angeles can continue within the building that now celebrates her contributions and will forever uphold her legacy.”

The Center will also house an Autism Wellness Center run by the Special Needs Network and a federally qualified health clinic operated by St. John Well Child Center on the second floor. On the third floor, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health will operate a crisis stabilization unit for children ages 3-12 that will be the first in the County to serve this population.

To view photos from the event, click here.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, a Metro Board Director issued the following statement on the Metro vote to extend public safety contracts:

“A lot has changed since 2017 when Metro’s current public safety contracts with law enforcement were negotiated. Currently there remains a lack of clarity on the cost of extending these contracts or if the law enforcement agencies will comply with Metro policies and staff direction. These unanswered questions are why I could not proactively support Metro extending its current public safety contracts.”

“I support public safety that accounts for the experiences of our riders and transit operators, and that is aligned with Metro’s values for centering the humanity of the million people who rely on public transit. This is why I voted for the long-term solution of creating an in-house public safety team that is trained by Metro. Leadership matters, we have a new CEO, who is committed to a culture shift. Being trained alongside the teams serving our riders is an important distinction that might also save us funding to invest in more clean and secure bathrooms, transit ambassadors, and community vendors to be additive to law enforcement and our public safety strategies.”

“I respect and appreciate the community members and my colleagues who have provided diverse insights on this pivotal issue. I trust CEO Wiggins to engage in good faith negotiations with law enforcement and believe we will be better positioned to have answers to some of these concerns outlined when we reconvene on this topic in May.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — In response to the crisis in our juvenile halls and Los Angeles County’s commitment to Care First Jails Last, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell and co-authored by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath to create a structured release system that is aligned with best practices for effectively reunifying young people with their community.  The motion calls on the Probation Department and its partners to proactively identify young people for early release or to be transferred to the least restrictive placement possible that most appropriately meets their needs.

“The pandemic has shown us that we can successfully release young people who can be safely moved to more developmentally appropriate placements that are better suited for preparing them to reunify with their community. This motion builds on previous work by creating and implementing a plan for depopulating our juvenile halls and getting young people into the least restrictive placements that will ultimately serve them and our County better,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District.

“This motion is making good on our Care First, Jails Last vision by supporting young people who are ready to be released back into school and community and ensuring that each young person entrusted to the County’s justice system has a carefully crafted plan outlining the support needed for their release,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, Third District. “Young people who are in their critical years of development need and deserve improved coordination between the justice system, courts, and attorneys so that everyone is working together in their best interest without delay.” 

The operations of the County’s juvenile halls have a long history of failing to meet basic standards of care for young people. The Probation Department (Department) is required to achieve full compliance with Board of State and Community Corrections regulations by mid-June or risk being ordered to vacate the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall (BJNJH) and Central Juvenile Hall (CJH). Depopulation of the juvenile halls would lower the number of staff required to work at BJNJH and CJH, helping to address the BSCC-compliance issue of insufficient staffing (due to a low percentage of Probation staff showing up to work) in the halls. Failure to achieve full compliance may result in young people in the Department’s care to receive out-of-county placements and transfers to the adult system.

Today’s motion calls for the need to urgently depopulate the juvenile hall facilities to ensure the safety and overall well-being of young people in the custody of the Probation Department. The motion directs the Chief Probation Officer, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and departments to identify young people who are appropriate candidates for safe and early release from the Probation’s Department camps and halls.

To read the full motion, click here.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (the Board) unanimously passed a motion by Supervisors Holly J. Mitchell and Lindsey P. Horvath calling for – in the first time in the history of the Board – an independent third-party review of its governance structure. The report back will explore comprehensive solutions focused on increasing public transparency and input in the County’s policymaking and budget development process, including expanding the Board for greater representation.  

“This is about ensuring that the foundation by which we make decisions on public policies and our $44 billion dollar budget are aligned with best governing practices to better serve the largest County in the nation” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District. “We hear from countless residents about being left out of their local government, making it clear that we can’t have an equitable County without meaningful and full public participation. The independent recommendations that we receive will inform how the Board can create a more inclusive process for solving the problems of today and tomorrow.”  

“Today’s vote of approval is a monumental step toward a more transparent, accessible, and equitable County government. This vote is about doing everything we can to be an efficient government that is inclusive of all 10 million voices we represent,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, Third District. “I look forward to the recommendations that will come out of this motion addressing the size of the Board, public participation in the legislative process, and how campaigns are funded.”  

The Executive Officer of the Board of Supervisors will launch a competitive search for a Request for Statement of Interest and report back in 180 days with options for an independent consultant to assess the Board’s governance structure against national best practices, examples of other County governance structures, and stakeholder insights in order to provide recommendations for a more inclusive and effective Board governance model.  

Additional governance reforms that will be considered include but are not limited to increasing the timeframe for advance public review of Board motions, amending the Brown Act to continue virtual public comment for public meetings without the need for the emergency designation caused by COVID-19 and improving public deliberation in the County budgeting processes. The motion also calls for County Counsel and the County’s Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative to provide recommendations for campaign finance reforms related to Supervisorial elections.

Prince Osemwengie, Senior Policy Associate at Inclusive Action for the City, shared his support of the motion during the public comment portion of the Board’s meeting.  

“This is the direction we need to be going in. Everyone is better served by having more access to weigh-in on the life changing decisions happening at the Board of Supervisors” said Prince Osemwengie. “I am confident that expanding representation and using proven solutions to increase public input is a win-win for all and will strengthen the County’s efforts in developing community-informed policy and program solutions.”  

To read the full motion, click here. 

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion authored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell and co-authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis to establish a countywide Fair Chance ordinance to provide individuals that have been impacted by the justice system with equitable access to employment opportunities. The ordinance would apply to over 10,000 employers in unincorporated Los Angeles County with five or more employees along with County contractors, subcontractors, and leaseholders.  

“For system-impacted job seekers, the promise of a fair chance is a critical opportunity to pursue a better life,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, representing the Second Supervisorial District. “We have a long way to go to making this real for every Angeleno, and as the largest employer in the region, the County has an obligation to lead by example and ensure our hiring practices are equitable and transparent.”

“This motion is about dignity,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District. “There is research that supports that when people with lived experience get employment, it reduces their risk for recidivism and they have more drive and loyalty to their employer, which results in staying at companies longer. These are also the same individuals who give back to their communities as engaged taxpayers. Everyone deserves a fair chance. That’s what this ordinance is about.” 

The rate of employers conducting background checks has risen and, making it more difficult for system-impacted individuals to gain access to employment and further perpetuates the assumption that those convicted of a crime should continue to be viewed with suspicion by employers. In California, the Fair Chance Act (FCA) was enacted to prevent employers from engaging in hiring discrimination but violations of the FCA continue to occur. In January of 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved a motion requesting an evaluation of options to improve FCA enforcement locally. In April of 2022, stakeholders responding to a County survey reported that employers are able to inconsistently apply FCA requirements, including, among other things, use of unreasonably old convictions to justify rescinding job offers. 

Today’s motion sets the foundation for strengthening protections for system-impacted job seekers by prohibiting consideration of certain convictions, including those more than seven years old (with certain exceptions), and mandating that employers provide an assessment of the risks associated with criminal history in writing. Additionally, employers not in compliance with the ordinance will face fines, allowing complaining job seekers to ensure more responsive and meaningful enforcement of the FCA. The motion directs the Interim County Counsel, in collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Director of the Department of Economic Opportunities (DEO), and other relevant County departments to report back in writing in 90 days with a draft Fair Chance Ordinance.  

To read the full motion, click here. 

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, representing the Second District, to expand access to doula services across LA County and support the growth of the doula workforce to ensure the success of the program.

“Across the nation, maternal and infant mortality rates are exponentially higher for Black people than any other group,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “Doula care is shown to improve pregnancy experiences and birthing outcomes. We must increase awareness of doula services for mothers and families across the County and expand our workforce to be more representative of our communities most in need. This motion helps us achieve this by investing in the success of our new doula Medi-Cal benefit.”

In Los Angeles County, the Black infant mortality rate is more than three times the rate of White infant mortality, and the Black maternal mortality rate is four times the rate of White maternal mortality. Engaging in doula services has been found to reduce the rate of preterm and Caesarean births, lessen the need for medical pain control in labor, and decrease symptoms of postpartum depression. Evidence also shows doula support is associated with an increased chance of breastfeeding initiation and duration, and maternal satisfaction with birth.

In 2021, California added doula care as a new Medi-Cal benefit. As of January 1, 2023, Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) are required to provide full-scope doula services for eligible pregnant and postpartum members.

To ensure the success of the doula benefit launch, today’s motion directs the Director of Public Health, in collaboration with the Director of the Department of Health Services (DHS), the Executive Director of the Anti-Racism, Diversity, & Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative, managed care plans (MCPs), and relevant stakeholders to report back in 60 days with a plan to create a hub for doula service providers to make these services more accessible. Additionally, the motion calls for intentional outreach to increase the size and diversity of the doula workforce.

To read the full motion, click here.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement on the murder of Tyre Nichols by the officers within the Memphis Police Department.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement on the outcome of the Board of Supervisors vote on her motion, co-authored by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, to establish an independent external committee to review and improve the Los Angeles County board governance structure.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell shared the following statement in response to Los Angeles County’s efforts to be among the first counties in state to implement CARE Court: