Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors took a significant step forward in establishing the Restorative Care Village at LAC+USC Medical Center, a unique concept championed by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. The Restorative Care Village would become the country’s first mental health and well-being campus, and will directly serve the County’s most disenfranchised populations.

“Today’s vote signals that LA County is a national leader in its commitment to help its most vulnerable. This is not business as usual,” said Supervisor Solis. “The Restorative Village project is creating a public/private, multi-stakeholder community partnership that is bringing together medical leaders who serve the area surrounding the LAC+USC campus. My Healthy Village vision will bring a range of benefits to families and communities in related issues of health, economic opportunity, and wellbeing.Today is a milestone in my continuing efforts to push forth a vision for services that improve the overall health and wellness of all neighborhoods.”

Today’s Board action, Los Angeles County, led by Supervisor Solis, expedites movement toward breaking ground on a Restorative Care Village — and a ‘Healthy Village’ vision for the community.

Poverty, unemployment, and homelessness are key issues that affect communities across the country. By recognizing that health and economic concerns are interrelated, the County will seek solutions that will effectively address today’s health and wellness problems. In doing so, Los Angeles County and its Restorative Care Village will serve as a model for the rest of the nation.

“Our vision of a medical center campus that is equipped to serve the complex needs of our community is advanced by this innovative plan and Board action,” said Jorge Orozco, CEO of LAC+USC Medical Center.

“As a community partner on the LAC+USC Medical Center campus for the past five years, The Wellness Center has experienced the critical need for linking County services together to serve the whole person — mental health, recuperative care and crisis housing post hospitalization,” said Rosa Soto, The Wellness Center’s Executive Director. “We welcome Supervisor Solis’ vision of a Healthy Village on the campus that will complement existing services to provide a broad continuum of care for our most vulnerable. The Wellness Center and our 23 community partners support this plan and stand ready to participate in its full implementation.”

The Board’s action today lays the groundwork for the demolition of the now-closed LAC+USC Women and Children’s Hospital, which was a state-of-the art medical facility that once, served millions of patients in its heyday. However, for more than 20 years, the building has been left shuttered and unused.

“By razing this abandoned structure and replacing it with a state-of-the art psychiatric facility that will serve as a center for innovative clinical research, LA County is leading the effort to improve the quality of life of all individuals,” Solis continued. “For years and generations to come, the Restorative Care Village will shine as a beacon of our commitment to community and health services.”

The Restorative Care Village will provide County residents a full continuum of services (i.e., recuperative care, bridge housing, permanent supportive housing, respite and recovery center, full scope psychiatric facility and supportive services) as well as a range of opportunities that include education and career development opportunities, job training and recreational amenities.

“I have had a front-row seat in the past year to the inception of the Healthy Village and look forward to seeing this project demonstrate that community benefit are at the heart of the buildings and community services that this Village will provide,” said Andrea Marchetti, Executive Director of Jovenes, Inc. “As a member of the Health Innovation Community Partnership, it is exciting to see County departments and community leaders work together to define a project that serves multiple community needs.”

The ‘Healthy Village,’ which will be located in and around the LAC+USC campus, will include a Sobering Center to help individuals with addictions get a new lease on life. It will also house a 100-bed recuperative care center that will serve as a safety net for patients as they heal. The Village would be a 100 percent fully-sustainable campus that would allow people easy entry through various modes of transportation, including walking, cycling, driving, and public transit.

 

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Contact: Rosa María Santana, Deputy Communications Director, (213) 974-4111 or rsantana@bos.lacounty.gov