The following is a press release from the Westside Council of Governments
On June 13, 2024, the Westside Cities Council of Governments (WSCCOG) Board of Directors elected Santa Monica City Councilmember Oscar de la Torre as new Chair of the organization. He is joined by West Hollywood City Councilmember Sepi Shyne as Vice-Chair and Beverly Hills Mayor Lester Friedman as Secretary. With their terms commencing July 1, 2024, each will serve a 1-year term.
De la Torre assumes the role of Chair at a crucial time as the WSCCOG begins developing a comprehensive behavioral health implementation strategy. This initiative is a significant undertaking that will require substantial time and resources to identify suitable sites and develop necessary facilities.
Strengthening regional collaboration to ensure that resources are effectively allocated to address the behavioral health needs of the community will be a top priority for de la Torre during his term as Chair. Findings from a recent behavioral health study commissioned by the City of Santa Monica identified significant gaps in crisis care on the Westside. These findings are instrumental in guiding the WSCCOG’s efforts to improve behavioral health services and infrastructure in the region.
Working with local governments, healthcare providers, and community organizations to create a cohesive network of support services, Chair de la Torre emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating, “I am honored to serve the region as Chair of the WSCCOG and am enthusiastic about working with the representatives of our member cities, who are equally dedicated to addressing the critical behavioral health needs of our communities. Behavioral health services are an unmet need on the Westside and a critical component to moving people off our streets and into treatment and healing.”
In December 2023 and February 2024, the WSCCOG Board approved allocating $257,962 of the County Homelessness Local Solutions Funds towards the Regional Behavioral Health Facility Implementation Plan for the Westside. In the coming months, the WSCCOG will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to retain a technical consultant to conduct a variety of services, including identifying potential sites, conducting site analysis, developing an operational plan, and proposing funding strategies and partnerships, etc.
The Westside Cities Council of Governments (WSCCOG) is a joint powers authority (JPA) comprised of the cities of Beverly Hills, Culver City, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and the City and County of Los Angeles. The organization works to foster cooperative solutions to regional issues, specifically transportation and addressing homelessness, enhancing the quality of life for the communities it serves.
