LA County gave up on a mental health program — and is handing back millions in grants
LOS ANGELES -- It seemed like any other night. Silverio Lujan's teenage daughter was distant and listless. Then, before he knew it, she had a fistful of pills and a knife in her hand and threatened to end her life.
Panic-stricken, he dialed 911.
After an evaluation, an intensive-care team from a local nonprofit quickly intervened with Lujan, 34, and his 13-year-old daughter. For three months after the February episode, the team wrapped itself into the lives of the South L.A. family. Both father and daughter received therapy.
They're still working on their problems, but the crisis has passed.
Therapy allowed his daughter "to change and get closer to the family, and want to learn things and keep fighting for what she wants — for the dreams she has," Lujan said in Spanish.
But the program Lujan credits with rescuing his daughter from suicidal depression has now closed. His family was among the last to be served by it.
Providers insist that what are known as child and adult outreach triage teams were saving some of L.A. County's sickest residents
