“Is it inability or unwillingness?”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger has once again voiced her support for the timely implementation of Senate Bill 43 (SB 43), demonstrating her commitment to addressing the critical issues of mental health and substance abuse in the county[1][4].
Barger, who has been a long-time advocate for mental health reform, expressed her optimism about SB 43’s potential to bring hope and relief to those who need it most[4]. “Today is an important day. We now see a big shift to put a system in place that responsibly helps those who are suffering from debilitating drug use and mental illness,” she stated[4].
The supervisor’s stance aligns with Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent call for California counties to expedite the implementation of SB 43[6]. While only two counties have implemented the law so far, Barger is pushing for Los Angeles County to join their ranks, recognizing the urgency of the situation[7].
“We want to be methodical, but we don’t have that luxury,” Barger emphasized, acknowledging the frustration in communities and the plight of those languishing on the streets[7]. Her proactive approach includes directing the Department of Mental Health to collaborate with other county departments to establish operational workgroups and report on local implementation requirements[1].
Barger’s advocacy for SB 43 is part of her broader commitment to addressing homelessness and mental health issues in Los Angeles County. She has consistently supported initiatives to improve accountability in homeless services systems and backed the construction of thousands of housing units with integrated social services[2].
As Barger prepares for her re-election campaign in the upcoming March 2024 Los Angeles County Supervisor election, her strong stance on implementing SB 43 demonstrates her dedication to tackling some of the most pressing issues facing the county[2][8].
With her experience and proven track record, Supervisor Barger continues to be a leading voice in the effort to modernize California’s conservatorship laws and provide much-needed assistance to the most vulnerable members of society[1][4].
Citations:
[1] https://lapost.us/?p=61798
[2] https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-02-01/2024-california-election-los-angeles-supervisor-district-5-barger-primary-voter-guide
[3] https://capitolweekly.net/passing-grave-disability-reform-was-hard-getting-counties-to-implement-it-has-been-harder/
[4] https://lapost.us/?p=60397
[5] https://lacounty.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=lacounty_64730f403181321df03484afa71d8651.pdf&view=1
[6] https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-07-28/gov-gavin-newsom-urges-california-counties-to-expand-conservatorship-laws-in-their-jurisdictions
[7] https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-09-15/california-poised-to-enact-key-changes-to-landmark-mental-health-law
[8] https://laist.com/news/politics/2024-election-california-primary-los-angeles-county-supervisors-districts
[9] https://www.smchealth.org/post/senate-bill-43-san-mateo-county
[10] https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/185174.pdf
