Officials Announce More Than $2 Million for San Fernando Valley Mental Health Crisis Response

LOS ANGELES — City officials announced Friday that the City of Los Angeles has received more than $2 million in federal funding to expand the Crisis and Incident Response through Community-led Engagement (CIRCLE) program in the San Fernando Valley, with Congressman Brad Sherman helping secure the investment to strengthen mental health crisis response services across the region.

The federal funding will support the hiring of additional health care professionals and help expand the program's operations throughout the Valley, ensuring more residents experiencing nonviolent mental health crises can receive care from trained health professionals rather than a traditional law enforcement response when appropriate.

The CIRCLE program, operated by the Mayor's Office of Community Safety, provides around-the-clock crisis response by dispatching trained mental health professionals and peer support specialists to nonviolent emergency calls. Teams work to de-escalate situations, assess immediate needs, and connect individuals with appropriate treatment and supportive services.

Mayor Karen Bass announced the funding alongside Congresswoman Luz Rivas and Councilwoman Imelda Padilla. During the announcement, Mayor Bass recognized Congressman Sherman, Senator Alex Padilla, and other federal partners for helping secure the funding.

The City has continued expanding the CIRCLE program throughout Los Angeles, including Downtown, Central Hollywood, South Los Angeles, the Harbor Area, the Westside, and the San Fernando Valley. This latest investment will further expand access to mental health professionals and strengthen community-based responses to people experiencing behavioral health crises.