Public benefit corporation Initium Health to lead public engagement in Santa Monica
By Sam Catanzaro
Last week, President Joe Biden signed a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending package that includes $1.5 million to fund City of Santa Monica-led behavioral health initiatives.
The funding comes from the 2923 Consolidated Appropriations Act signed into law by President Biden on December 29. Following the announcement of the funds for Santa Monica, the City of Santa Monica says it has begun to engage the public benefit corporation Initium Health to lead public engagement and analyze different models of behavioral health care for the City. According to the City, Initium will begin by interviewing community leaders and experts, followed by public listening sessions to begin in the coming months. The firm will make recommendations to Council based on its findings by fall 2023.
“We are fortunate to have the continued support of Rep. Lieu in securing federal funding to address the behavioral health needs of our community,” said Mayor Gleam Davis. “This funding is critical given the national fentanyl crisis and our ongoing challenges with isolation coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and homelessness. We look forward to beginning the community engagement process.”
The $1.5 million earmarked for Santa Monica is part of a total of $22.6 million in Community Project Funding that Congressman Ted Lieu successfully secured for 15 projects in his district.
“I am pleased to have secured $22,601,025 in Community Project Funding for our community,” Rep. Lieu said. “These projects will help tackle some of the most pressing needs in our district including providing mental health and housing care for vulnerable people.”
Funding will also include $1.5 million for the Pacific Palisades Pedestrian Trail, $3 million for the PATH Permanent Supportive Housing Marina Del Rey, $1 million for the Ready to Succeed, Santa Monica to support college-going foster youth, $898,053 for the St. Joseph Center in for job skills training and supportive services to those experiencing homelessness and $500,000 for the Venice Family Clinic for facilities and equipment. For a full list of projects visit https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lieu-secures-22601025-local-projects-has-two-bills-signed-law.
