CELEBRATING SUCCESS

Featuring Intermediary Project Partner, Transforming LA Through Partnership 

 

Strengthening Community Roots Through Partnership Towards Hope, Recovery, and Wellbeing

 

Los Angeles County’s Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) serves nearly a quarter of a million people—making it the largest county mental health system in the U.S. Yet, small, community-rooted nonprofits—those deeply connected to L.A. County’s most marginalized neighborhoods—often struggle to navigate the complexities of government contracting.

Transforming LA Through Partnership (TLA) is an innovative “incubation academy” co-created by Community Partners, LACDMH, the County’s Chief Executive Office, UCLA Center of Excellence, and philanthropic partners to provide mentorship, training, and technical assistance to small and mid-sized grassroots community-based organizations (CBOs) that provide prevention services to the County’s most vulnerable residents.

Launched in 2021, over $17M has been invested in multi-year funding to help 44 CBOs launch and deliver prevention-focused mental health initiatives and advanced training via the Mental Health Incubation Academy—equipping them to compete for LACDMH funding.

“With a focus on capacity-building, technical assistance, and equitable funding, TLA helps CBOs strengthen their internal infrastructure and deliver effective, culturally relevant prevention services—many for the first time under County support,” said Phyllis Owens, Vice President, Intermediary, and Strategic Partnerships. “This isn’t just about contracts—it’s about trust, community healing, and shifting power to those who are closest to the challenges and solutions.”

As the intermediary partner, Community Partners serves as a vital link between the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and small to mid-sized community-based organizations. The Transforming LA Through Partnership initiative is already making a meaningful impact—strengthening nonprofit capacity, fostering leadership development in the social sector, highlighting the critical role of grassroots organizations, and expanding preventive mental health services for the County’s under-resourced communities.

Convening with Purpose

A significant amount of progress has also been made in terms of access and inclusivity, elevating grassroots leadership and community-driven solutions across the County, including key learnings and best practices, and working with both language interpreters and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters.

On May 13, TLA held its last in-person training and alums activity of the year at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM), which was especially meaningful not only because May is AANHPI Heritage Month but also because JANM serves as a model of courage in today’s disruptive and devastating climate.

Despite losing almost $2 million in previously approved federal funds, Bill Fujioka, chair of JANM’s Board of Trustees, stated that “JANM will scrub nothing and will stand up for social justice, but we’re also standing tall for diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

The event and training, focused on finance and utilizing a full-cost framework, wrapped with a panel discussion, where some Alumni CBOs shared their experiences in navigating financial sustainability for their organizations. Street Company generously gifted a pack of their Transforming Blend coffee to each organization in the cohort.

TLA helps remove long-standing barriers that prevent smaller, community-rooted organizations from accessing public funding. These groups often have deep trust in their communities but lack the resources to navigate complex County systems. TLA bridges that gap—building capacity while expanding access to critical mental health services.

Measurable Results:

• 44 CBOs supported across five LA County Supervisorial Districts

• Over $17 million invested in grassroots-led mental health prevention

• Improved access to care in historically underserved neighborhoods

• Pathways to sustainability for local organizations new to DMH funding

As LA County continues to reimagine community-based mental health, TLA stands as a model for equity in action—proving that when we invest in grassroots leadership, we build stronger, healthier communities for everyone.

Learn more about the Transforming LA Partnership 

Scrub Nothing t-shirts are available on JANM’s website.