What are Assembly Bills AB34 and AB2034?
In 1999, the California State Legislature authorized $10 million for the
creation of programs designed to provide integrated community outreach support
to individuals who were homeless, at risk of homelessness or incarceration, and
had a serious mental illness.
Three counties—Sacramento, Stanislaus, and Los Angeles—initiated pilot programs
the first eleven months of which have resulted in a 68% decrease in days
hospitalized, a 79% reduction in days in jail, and a 73% reduction in days spent
homeless among program participants. AB 34 was authored by Assemblyman
Steinberg. In 2000, approximately $55 million was appropriated to expand the
program to 23 additional counties under the auspices of AB 2034.
Santa Cruz County was chosen to receive funding and initiate its own pilot
project. Called “Puentes” (meaning bridges) The Homeless Mental Health team
collaborating with the Homeless Persons Health Project and County Mental Health.
The participants all have a major mental illness and are homeless. There are up
to 30 clients enrolled in Puentes. Pam Rogers-Wyman, MFT, supervises the program
here in Santa Cruz. Pam says that the program team meets possible participants
where they are at, in the community—out on the street. The model is to build
relationships first. Ask what their needs are rather than telling them they need
to be hospitalized and medicated first.
What is good help?
As mental health services shift toward using community resources and help, it’s
useful to rely on old community language to talk about how to improve the help
we provide. In this language, any person in a position to support and help guide
others as they change their lives is called an ally. Old stories, spanning
cultures from around the world, instruct us in the responsibilities of mentors,
guides, allies, teachers, and companions. Five essential elements comprise what
it means to be an ally.
- Help the person stay grounded in cultural beliefs and discover core skills
and gifts.
- Help the person find and hear stories from the other side. With preparing
for and going through change, it can help to hear the stories of those who
have already made it to the place we are trying to go.
- Help the person solve problems and find opportunities.
- Help the person find resources.
- Help the person by “standing by” them.
Santa Cruz County Mental Health Director, Norm Wyman was the first director
from a County Mental Health System to visit “The Village” (AB-34) and to see and
learn about it.
Stories of Hope
The following are stories of hope and change from those who have experienced
the “system of care” developed at the “Village” in Los Angeles and other
counties.
I realized that that is one of the most important messages I want to get
across to people: that human love, caring, empathy, kindness and support can
help to heal someone more powerfully than medications. I think for many people
like me, our mental illnesses are spawned by internal stress and anxieties and
traumas that we build up during our lifetime. It may be a scientific disease,
but when a person is treated as a whole person, rather than just a clinical
example of chemical imbalance in the brain, there is much healing that is done
on a deeper level that ultimately not only helps heal the mental illness, but
strengthens the patient emotionally and gives her/him the tools to maintain
peace and balance in their life.
People ask me, now, if I’m afraid my illness might ever return one day. I always
tell them that I’m not afraid anymore. I feel like I know myself better now, and
I’m much more in tune with my emotions and stress. I feel stronger than I did
before I became sick. I feel more aware of myself and my environment;
physically, socially, mentally, emotionally. This was the greatest gift that I
received from Dr. Mark’s treatment. You cannot qualify it—it has changed how I
look at myself and how I feel about myself. It has changed how I interact with
other people. Having that kind of gift puts me in a place where I do not fear
going crazy, because I’ve already been there. I do not fear it, because I do not
fear myself anymore.
Victor McManus, former user of services, The Village
I remember I just used to be in bed just watch ing the wall—now that I have
learned more about the illness that I have I can feel a relapse when it comes—my
sleep begins to get disturbed— I forget a lot and can’t focus. Now when that
happens, I stop everything and talk with the support system that I have.
Maria Pulido, Peer Volunteer, Wellness Recovery Center, Stanislaus County
I was homeless for about four years—my physical body was thrashed and I lived
for a six pack of malt liquor so I could feel halfway decent. Someone offered me
a way out—it happened to be a member here who was visiting my inlaws. I was
asleep on their front porch one day and she said, “You have to come to The
Village.”
I can never remember belonging anywhere— drinking really covered it up for me. I
think over the years there has been some damage—I was psychotic and very angry.
I am beaten down and not as strong as I remember myself. I need help handling
simple life issues. I don’t want to have a crutch, I want to do it on my own but
right now there are certain things I don’t feel equipped to handle.
I was very good in school, and good at making people laugh; I can really make
myself laugh too. I try to be thankful for today that I’m not locked up; it is
sunny, I have some money in my pock et— just try to hang in there and live in
the moment. But, I have lots of tickets and court stuff hanging over me and I’m
feeling beat down about that. It is like a lead blanket all over me. I know in
time it is going to get better—it took me a long time to get messed up and it
will take time to get better.
I had one moment where I took a massive turn in my life. I grew up really poor,
but I did well in high school. I got the best grades in my training as a
lifeguard, and got a lifeguard job that I felt extremely proud of. Only one
other person had that grade, and I was feeling on top of the world. The other
lifeguard turned out to be the biggest high school bully who was violent and
harassed me to no end. Finally, my brother got hurt and I quit the job. A lot
since then I don’t remember. I know my purpose is out there—like that one day as
a lifeguard—at times I feel everything will be all right and I will be happy
again.
Steve Hrenak, The Village
