On May 16, 2025, Sycamores marked a major milestone in youth mental health care with the groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of the renovation of buildings for two new Children’s Crisis Programs at its El Nido campus in Altadena.
In response to the growing mental health crisis among children and adolescents, the new programs — a Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) and a Children’s Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) — will provide urgently needed services for young people in crisis throughout Los Angeles County.
There are currently very few Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs) dedicated specifically to children or adolescents in Los Angeles County — a region with nearly 10 million residents. Since 1995, California has lost more than 3,200 psychiatric beds, making it increasingly difficult for youth in crisis to access care simply because there’s no space available.
These new services will help close critical gaps in the system. Both programs are designed to provide care in a safe, age-appropriate, and home-like environment — reducing reliance on hospital emergency rooms and minimizing trauma for youth and families.
“This groundbreaking represents a powerful commitment to children and families in our community,” said Debra Manners, President and CEO of Sycamores. “Too many young people in crisis don’t get the help they need — or get it in the wrong place, like an emergency room. These new programs will offer the right care at the right time in the right setting. We are deeply grateful to our partners at the County and State levels for making this vision a reality.”
“We’re working to ensure foster youth with significant mental health needs are supported with the services they need,” said Department of Health Care Services Director Michelle Baass. “Organizations like Sycamores are essential to transforming how we respond to urgent behavioral health challenges. By bringing compassionate, community-based care directly to children and youth in need, they exemplify a behavioral health system that meets people where they are with dignity, support, and hope.”
This project is made possible in part through funding from the California Department of Health Care Services through its Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP). The co-location of both programs on Sycamores’ El Nido campus allows youth to move between levels of care without interruption to their treatment team — ensuring continuity, trust, and healing.
The groundbreaking event brought together leaders from across the region, including State Senator Sasha Renee Perez, Assemblymember John Harabedian, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Chair, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and Rimmi Hundal, Chief Deputy Director of the LA County Department of Mental Health.
“L.A. County is in desperate need of these types of beds and this type of support,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “I am so grateful to Sycamores for accepting the call to help youth stabilize and more importantly, heal. You are a valuable partner!”
