Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center Receives $38.3 Million to Build Substance Use Disorder Facility with 125 Beds
The Community Care Expansion Program allocates funding to support Gateways expansion project, aimed at supporting the most vulnerable communities in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, CA – May 7, 2024 – Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center announced today that the hospital received a $38,335,670 grant through the Community Care Expansion (CCE) Program. The grant will be used to construct a 125-bed community-based residential mental health care center Adult Residential Facility (ARF) at the site of the Hoover St. Campus. The new site will open a new service line to support clients with Substance Use Disorder (SUD), through crisis service, short term stay, and outpatient services.
The expansion will directly support the most vulnerable individuals in Los Angeles who face severe and persistent mental illness (SMI) and/or SUD. When operational, the new facility will serve 220 unique clients annually. The new facility, anticipated to be operational in 2028, will replace the existing Hoover St. Campus, which currently houses three of Gateways’ residential programs: Conditional Release (CONREP), Crisis Residential Treatment (CRTP), and wellness. To ensure that these services continue throughout the transition, these services will be rehoused at other locations that Gateways has across Los Angeles County and in San Diego County.
SUD is a prevalent and costly issue in Los Angeles. According to an August 2023 report from the County of Los Angeles’ Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC), 16.5% of adults and adolescents over the age of 12 are diagnosed with SUD. Additionally, individuals with SUD face over two times more medical expenses than those without SUD. 20-35% of Los Angeles County’s unhoused population experience SUD, according to another study conducted by SAPC. The same study concludes that access to stable housing while undergoing treatment and recovery often leads to improved outcomes for SUD.
“The substance use disorder and mental health crisis requires dedicated resources to support many of our County’s most vulnerable residents throughout their recovery. This growing crisis means that we need to increase treatment options and our capacity to provide care in a dignified, and linguistically and culturally appropriate manner,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District. “Gateways primarily serves low-income and justice-involved patients in their adult facilities, and consistently provides meaningful support that extends beyond an individual’s time under their care. This is why I sent a letter of support to California Health and Human Services for Gateway’s application for
this crucial funding. I’m deeply thankful for our community partners like Gateways, who are committed to equitably addressing the urgent need for mental health and substance use disorder care.”
Comprehensive SUD services will assess each client’s psychosocial factors, severity and patterns of substance use that contribute to their mental health conditions. To address the client’s needs, Gateways will provide client-centered care that incorporates harm reduction strategies and the client’s assessment. Providers will use evidence-based strategies and behavioral interventions to assist clients in managing their substance use and changing response patterns. Throughout their treatment, clients can transition throughout the different levels of care, based on their relevant needs.
“In response to the pressing mental health and substance use disorder crises gripping Los Angeles County, our expansion endeavors to address these urgent needs head-on. By fortifying Gateways Hospital’s support infrastructure, we aim to provide vital assistance to the most vulnerable members of our community. The addition of space for a dedicated program targeting substance use disorders underscores our commitment to combating these intersecting challenges. In the face of these daunting realities, we are immensely thankful for the unprecedented support received through the CCE program, enabling us to expand our capacity to serve and promote mental health equity for all individuals, regardless of their financial circumstances,” articulated Dr. Phil Wong, Chief Executive Officer of Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center.
Using grants from the CCE and Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), Gateways will invest $70 million to expand SUD and mental health care. BHCIP funding invests in mental health care expansion to reduce homelessness, incarceration and unnecessary hospitalization. The new facility will further reinforce the mental health care workforce by creating over 100 jobs, with mental health practitioners for each program, and service employees.
“Gateways is committed to advancing its program expansions through grant opportunities, a testament to the dedication of our mental health care practitioners and staff. Our team provides exceptional care to indigent individuals who often face daunting financial barriers hindering access to impactful mental and behavioral health services,” emphasized Brian Thorne, Chief Development Officer at Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center. “As a safety net hospital in Los Angeles, Gateways recognizes the critical importance of comprehensive, client-centered care. This expansion will allow us to provide specifically tailored treatment to address the needs of individuals grappling with both mental health challenges and substance use disorders, supporting them through their most vulnerable moments.”
The Community Care Expansion Program will award $464,040,000 through 55 awards in California, in a proposed total of 2,465 beds. The entities receiving funding will bring a proposed total of 690 beds to Los Angeles. The CCE program awarded Gateways a total of $38,335,670, the largest award of this round.
About Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center: Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center is a non-profit organization located in Echo Park that has been serving the Greater Los Angeles area since 1953. Gateways offers an array of comprehensive mental and behavioral health services for adolescents, transitional-aged youth, and adults. For more information, visit gatewayshospital.org or call (323) 644-2000.
