DSH - Metropolitan: Facilities
DSH - Metropolitan is organized into five treatment programs. Each program is under the direction of a Program Director, Program Assistant, Nurse Coordinator and Senior Psychiatrist. The programs vary in service due to age, level of care, legal commitments and specific needs. Care of the Patient at DSH - Metropolitan LA is part of the total treatment given in partnership with County Mental Health Services, the Judicial System, and/or other State Hospitals. The populations served and the corresponding treatment units are as follows:
Program I: Division of Juvenile Justice Treatment Unit
- 109 ICF Male Young Adult
Unit 109 is an ICF program that serves Division of Juvenile Justice residents, ages 12 - 25 and is located off-campus at the Southern Youth Correctional Reception Center and Clinic in Norwalk.
Program II: Adult LPS Treatment
- 410 Acute (CMS Cert) Coed
- 412 Acute Coed
- 414 Sub acute Male
- 416 Sub acute Male
- 420 Sub acute (Spanish) Coed
Unit 410 is an acute and CMS certified admission unit. The unit accepts Patients newly admitted to the hospital as well as Patients from other treatment units who are experiencing an acute exacerbation of symptoms requiring intensive treatment and stabilization. Most of the Patients served are on LPS conservatorships.
Units 414 and 416 provide continuing treatment for Patients who no longer require acute psychiatric services. A primary treatment goal is to assist the Patient to gain self-control and reduce disabling behaviors that prevent placement in a less restrictive environment and prepare the Patient for a successful transition to community living.
Unit 412 provides continuing treatment for LPS conservatees. The unit also accepts Patients admitted from local county jails, deemed as low security risk according to pre-established screening guidelines. Only a very limited number of beds are utilized for this population. For Patients from Los Angeles County jails, the treatment goal is stabilization and preparation for return to the jail setting.
Unit 420 has programs to address treatment issues in focused social and cultural milieus, Treatment is provided in Spanish and Asian/Pacific languages.
Each unit has an enclosed patio area that can be utilized for special events, exercise groups, barbecues, gardening groups and other group activities.
Program III Adult Forensic Treatment
- 401 Acute PC Male
- 407 Sub acute Male
- 409 Sub acute PC Coed
- 415 Sub acute PC Male
Program III is a Forensic Program providing treatment to Patients who have been found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (PC 1026), Incompetent to Stand Trial (PC 1370), or former parolees need additional mental health treatment (PC 2972).
Unit 407 serves the PC 1026 population primarily. The treatment goal is to prepare the Patient for discharge to a less restrictive environment. The majority of placements will be through the Department of Mental Health's Conditional Release Program (CONREP). A biopsychosocial approach to treatment is used. Some of the treatment activities provided include: medication management, anger management, substance abuse education, relapse prevention and leisure skills.
Unit 401 and 409 serve Patients with PC 1026 or PC 1370 commitments, as well as PC 2972 commitments.
Unit 415 serves the PC 1370 population. Due to mental illness, the patients have been unable to successfully complete the judicial process and have been found incompetent to stand trial. Within the larger framework of recovery and wellness, an important treatment goal is the restoration of competency and return to court to stand trial.
Some of the treatment modalities include: trial competency groups, mock court, medication education and management, substance abuse groups, relapse prevention, leisure skills, and socialization activities. All modalities have the goal of preparing the patient to successfully complete the trial process.
The Biopsychosocial Treatment Mall, Bridge to Recovery, occurs throughout the program, utilizing all the resident units as well as patios, rehab clinics, classrooms, the dining room and the central courtyard.
Program IV: Adult Forensic Treatment
- Unit 403 Sub acute PC Male
- Unit 405 Acute PC Male
- Unit 411 Sub acute PC Male
- Unit 413 Sub acute PC Female
Units 403, 405, 411 and 413 make up Program V and serve primarily the PC 1370 population. Due to mental illness, the patients have been unable to successfully complete the judicial process and have been found incompetent to stand trial.
The Biopsychosocial Treatment Mall for these units is called New Horizons. All resident units are used for the mall classes and activities as are the patios, rehab clinics, classrooms, dining room and courtyard.
Program V: Skilled Nursing Facility
- Unit 418 SNF Coed
- Unit 419 SNF Coed
Units 418 and 419 are skilled nursing units that treat adults identified with mental disabilities and physical disabilities requiring skilled nursing care. A focus of the treatment is on improving, retaining and/or recapturing self help skills, activities of daily living, and physical capabilities, such as ambulation, bowel and bladder control, self feeding, grooming and prevention of physical deterioration.
Admission to these units is justified when a patient has a primary physical medical need, and a concomitant mental disorder that requires continuous skilled nursing intervention, and/or is aged/infirmed and requires supportive nursing care.
The Enhancement Services Department has a Program Director/Service Chief and two Program Assistants. Enhancement Services includes thirteen essential services which supplement, support, and augment the unit resources. Many of these occur off-unit throughout the hospital grounds. The department includes:
Arts in Mental Health Program - Community artists provide structured activities in a therapeutic setting including art/community art shows, music/drumming, poetry and theater workshops under the coordination of the Artist Facilitators. In addition a quarterly newsletter is provided.
Beauty and Barber Shop
Golden Vista School - The school is in the process of providing a high school equivalency program. It also offers life skills and basic education.
Religious Services - Regularly scheduled religious services provided for both patients and staff.
- Catholic Chaplain
- Protestant Minister
- Jewish Chaplain / Rabbi
- Muslim Chaplain / Iman
Vocational Services/Industrial Therapy - Vocational Services provides vocational opportunities in accordance with Patient treatment plans. Our Horticulture Program provides education and rehabilitation services both in the greenhouse and throughout the hospital campus.
Staff and Patient Library (mobile and stationary)
Volunteer Services - A large and active department that offers both direct and support services to treatment programs under the guidance of hospital staff.
- University students and community members
- Community Service Organizations
- Family and Friends Education Program
- Community Education Program
Oasis - A community store and place of socialization for individuals to gather.
Grounds Presence Team - A team of staff utilized to enhance security for patients and staff on grounds and throughout the Programs.
- Courtyards for intramural and Patient activities.
- Rehabilitation Therapy Clinics - provide space for cooking, crafts, fitness, music and leisure pursuits and related rehabilitation therapies.
- Medical, dental, physical, occupational and speech therapies, podiatry and other medical ancillary services.
- The Trust Office and Cashier’s Office handles patient financial accounts
- The Fashion Center provides patient clothing
- Patient dining facilities
- Park, ball field and picnic areas
- Mental Health Museum
Through the Volunteer Center at DSH - Metropolitan LA, members of the community have the opportunity to contribute to the hospital by becoming personally involved; by becoming a volunteer, and/or providing donations.
Interested members of the community may apply to be a volunteer. There are two categories for volunteer work, direct and indirect. A direct service volunteer is one that works directly with the patients as a student, individual or member of a group. An indirect service volunteer provides service in non-patient areas but still benefits the hospital’s ability to provide high quality care. The job duties of a volunteer vary but always prove to be a rewarding experience.
Volunteer Services accepts donations for the hospital. Donations may include a wide range of new and used items. Because the hospital operates on a fixed budget, many of the extras we are able to provide patients are made available through donations. Needed donations include items such as personal care items, party supplies and tickets to community events. Monetary donations are also appreciated and are deposited in the Patients’ Benefit Fund which is used for patient special events and activities. Other donations may be made through Volunteer Services. An itemized receipt is issued as all donations are tax deductible.
The Volunteer Center offers members of the public who have an interest in DSH - Metropolitan LAan opportunity to become involved. For more information on how to become involved in these programs, please phone the Volunteer Coordinator at (562) 651-4311.
Several other programs lease space on the grounds and are an integral part of the campus life here at DSH - Metropolitan LA. They are:
- L.A. County Department of Mental Health Patient Emergency Coordination Services and State Hospital Placement Services. This unit provides gatekeeping services, which monitor the availability of L.A. County inpatient beds. They also provide 7 day a week, 24 hour a day coverage for mental health emergencies throughout the county. The Placement Unit is responsible for the placement of MSH patients into the community. The staff works closely with the treatment teams to provide the most effective aftercare plans for each patient.
- Southeast Council Alcohol and Drug Programs - Detox and residential counseling programs.
- Rio Hondo Temporary Home - Homeless shelter which provides services to homeless families.
- State of California DMH Community Programs Office- Provides quality assurance and contract monitoring services for community mental health facilities.
- California Department of Corrections Conditional Release Program- administrative and oversight offices.
- Wheelabrator Cogeneration Plant - utilizes the hospital's steam production to produce electricity. The electricity is sold to Southern California Edison and the hospital buys it at a reduced rate. This is a 30-year lease.
- California Conservation Corps - provides training for young adults in outdoor work for CalTrans and the Parks and Recreation Department including landscaping, graffiti removal, and emergency response services.
- Homes for Life - a nonprofit organization which provides long-term housing for persons with mental illness.
