LOS ANGELES, Calif. – In response to a growing youth mental health crisis and a commitment to expanding access to vital services, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisors Holly J. Mitchell and Janice Hahn to invest a total of $4.5 million – $1.5 million over three years – to sustain mental health services provided by allcove Beach Cities youth center. The motion also calls for a report back in two months with funding options to create similar models throughout the County.

The Stanford allcove model is a nationally recognized approach that provides a “one-stop shop” for young people ages 12 to 25 for mental health, substance use, employment, family services, and navigating life challenges—all in a welcoming, stigma-free, and youth-informed environment.

Supervisor Mitchell, inspired by the impact of allcove Beach Cities in the Redondo Beach community within her district, invested discretionary funds to establish a new allcove youth center at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in South Los Angeles, which is expected to open in 2027.

“allcove Beach Cities is a bright spot for our young people and surrounding communities. I’m proud that this motion will help expand the allcove model so more youth and their families can access the support they need, said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. This is about building a system where no young person falls through the cracks. By investing in early intervention and creating safe, supportive spaces, we can change the trajectory of countless lives.”

“Being a teenager is hard as it is, and we know that today the youth mental health crisis is at an all-time high. But we also know that this allcove model has worked in getting teens the support, resources, and sense of community they need,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, Fourth District, who added “now is the time to bring centers like this one to more teens across LA County, especially in communities burdened by poverty, discrimination, and violence where teens face even greater pressures.”

Suicide rates among young people have risen in recent years, and more than one in three high school students in the United States report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. In Los Angeles County, suicide remains the third-leading cause of death among youth, underscoring the need for urgent and sustained action.

Research shows that most mental health conditions begin before age 25, yet many go untreated in their early stages. Early intervention—like the services offered through the allcove model—has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of crisis.

Tom Bakaly, CEO of Beach Cities Health District which operates allcove Beach Cities a youth wellness center in Redondo Beach, shared “we are extremely grateful to Supervisors Mitchell and Hahn and the entire Board of Supervisors for their commitment to ‘walk the talk’ and expand access to mental health services for young people. In just over three years, we have seen the positive impact allcove Beach Cities has had in our community. Young people, especially those experiencing homelessness, family instability or system involvement, often tell us they do not feel comfortable seeking help in traditional settings. allcove offers a trusted, low barrier space where they are more willing to walk through the door. This is how we strengthen the system across the County by filling gaps, working across sectors and reaching the young people who are most often missed and need this support.”

Several current and former youth participants from allcove Beach Cities attended Tuesday’s Board meeting to share personal testimonies, including John Hooper, an allcove Peer Specialist and former Youth Advisory Group member.

Many of the youth and staff of allcove Beach Cities attended the Tuesday Board of Supervisors meeting to share personal testimonies including John Hooper, an allcove Peer Specialist and former Youth Advisory Group member. Hooper shared, “I’ve seen young people come into allcove guarded, anxious, barely making eye contact and weeks later begin to open up, advocate for themselves, reconnect with family, return to school, choose sobriety or simply believe that their life has value. Those shifts may sound small in a report. But they are life-changing in real time. allcove is often the first place a young person feels safe enough to tell the truth about what they’re going through. It’s a space without stigma. Without cost barriers. Without labels. Just support, community and belonging.

To address disparities in service distribution, the motion emphasizes a needs-based approach to future investments. Factors such as poverty, justice system involvement, and population density will guide where new resources are located. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health will report back within 60 days with options to expand the allcove model to high need areas in Los Angeles County or similar youth-centered mental health centers using a data-driven, equity-focused framework.