Each May, the U.S. celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month, and Councilmember Agran is proud to bring mental health solutions to the forefront of the Irvine City Council agenda. On May 10, with Mayor Khan and Councilmember Kim signing onto the memo, Councilmember Agran agendized a resolution supporting the Mental Health Justice Act of 2021. 

The Mental Health Justice Act (MHJA), introduced by U.S. Representative Katie Porter in the House of Representatives, will fund programs for Irvine residents experiencing mental health crises. This proposal would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to fund cities leading non-police crisis intervention and emergency responder programs. 

In a letter written to the U.S. House Subcommittee on Health, Councilmember Agran praised the proposal: 

“This program will empower cities to reduce incarceration rates for people with disabilities and end endemic discrimination occurring in the criminal justice system. The City of Irvine…would be a highly-qualified candidate for a program HHS authorizes through this landmark legislation.” 

The City of Irvine has had long-standing alternative crisis response models for people with disabilities through the Public Safety Department’s Mental Health Unit, which serves people alongside an Orange County clinician through a case-management approach. This legislation could not only increase funding to the City’s existing programs, such as FOR Families and the Be Well OC Mobile Crisis Response Team, but also provide funding for new programs in the Office of Health and Wellness.

During the May 10 agenda, the Irvine City Council will discuss this proposed legislation and could share statements of support for mental health in the City.