On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will vote on a proposed $1 million sole-source agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) to fund a statewide campaign aimed at recruiting more workers into California’s mental health system.
The proposed contract, which bypasses a competitive bidding process, would support a digital media campaign targeting young adults and others considering careers in mental health — including positions in peer support, clinical roles, and community-based care.
According to the agenda item, the campaign is intended to address the widening workforce crisis in behavioral health, particularly in underserved communities. The campaign would focus on paid social media, storytelling, and outreach — leveraging CalMHSA’s existing infrastructure to move quickly on recruitment goals.
Critics of no-bid agreements argue they reduce transparency and accountability, while proponents of the deal point to the urgent need to accelerate workforce development in response to rising demand for services.
If approved, the campaign is expected to launch within 60 days.
đź“… The Board meeting is scheduled for 9:30 AM on July 8 at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in downtown Los Angeles. The public can attend or stream the meeting live at bos.lacounty.gov.