MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ACTION ORIENTED HOARDING CONSULTATION TEAM

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2019

Hoarding Disorder (HD) poses significant risk to both individuals and the communities in which it exists. LA County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) has focused efforts on mental health interventions to improve individual and communal safety.In November 2017, LACDMH identified 30 mental health clinical staff to be trained as hoarding liaisons and champions to work with consumers with HD. In December 2017, LACDMH developed a Multi-Disciplinary Action Oriented Hoarding Consultation Team (MDAOHCT) that consists of these mental health clinical liaisons to meet with agencies (code enforcement, Adult Protective Services (APS), Fire and other community agencies) in five Service Areas countywide to discuss the development of holistic interventions that take into account mental health issues, community safety, and eviction prevention. The MDAOHCT was fully implemented in June of 2018.In addition to intervention development and implementation, the MDAOHCT provides trainings on HD to team member agencies, community members and the general public to increase knowledge and improve linkages to supportive services. Within 2018, more than 25 trainings took place around the County, and these continue throughout 2019. This partnership enabled LACDMH and community partner agencies to fully understand and serve individuals with HD and develop standards in engagement and community intervention.