Los Angeles County Client Coalition, Inc.
LACCC is an Association of current or former Mental Health Clients/Consumers/Survivors who carry the message of Hope, Recovery, Wellness and Self-Determination to its Peers and Communities, including the Mental Health Community, through its Advocacy efforts.
RECOVERY-
The Los Angeles County Client Coalition, Inc. supports the transformation of the system of care in Los Angeles from a medical model to a recovery model. This is based on the fact that research has shown that persons diagnosed with mental illness can recover.Recovery, in the mental health context, is different than that described in the substance-abuse arena which is based on abstinence from abused substances. We see recovery in mental health as a path rather than a destiny, which allows anyone who is going forward most of the time but who may take occasional detours to be considered “in recovery.” It is a dynamic concept–one of movement. Those movements don’t have to be big movements. Just like any goal, one must take steps toward achieving the goal. Those steps can take many shapes. Someone who is “working on their recovery” can be seen attending self-help activities, enjoying social/cultural activities, doing something meaningful (to them) with their lives, and is possibly still in treatment.
ADVOCACY-
Mental health client/consumer advocacy is a recognized self-help modality. It is also called “social action.” Persons diagnosed with mental illness who advocate for other mental health client/consumers are representing those of their peers who are not at a particular meeting or event. They are knowledgeable about the issues which are important to the quality of life of their peers. These include legislation, cultural issues, and general life issues such as government entitlements, housing, work, social life, education, etc.One of the best ways for mental health client/consumers to get involved in advocacy is for them to attend meetings of the Los Angeles County Client Coalition (LACCC), Inc. or its chapters. These monthly meetings provide opportunities to network with other advocates and discuss the “hot button” issues. They can do other advocacy work such as attending and speaking up at the Mental Health Services’ Act public hearings, work groups, or forums. Other meetings are the Service Area Advisory Councils where they live. They can use their voice to effect change in the Mental Health System.Clients/consumers who become interested in advocacy and get involved in the LACCC, Inc, can receive stipends from attending & speaking at meetings through the Countywide Activity Fund (CAF). They can attend local & other mental health conferences with a full scholarship. They have valuable experiences and learn transferable skills which can prepare them for work in the mental health field, if that is their desire. They can become LACCC Officers & Committee Chairs to work on and learn or brush up on leadership and speaking skills.If you are looking for a new experience and want to enhance your recovery, then we encourage you to check into the possibilities of mental health client/consumer advocacy with the LACCC, Inc.
Membership
Any past or present mental health client, consumer, or survivor can become a regular member of LACCC by attending the monthly meetings which are held on the second Friday of each month.
Membership is free.
Meetings start at 12:30pm and continue until 3:30pm.Our CALIF location is at:
634 South Spring Street, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90014By Bus: LA Metro Line #18 stops at 6th and Spring. Walk towards 7th Street or Turn Right & walk on the left side of the street…634 is past “The Falls Restaurant & the fire hydrantBy Car: Parking is available in lot next to the Building just past 634 on the left side of the street. You may want to carpool with someone who has gone before to learn how to park for free. Feel free to email or call Pam Inaba from the link below.Hybrid: If you cannot join in person, please try our zoom link. We make every effort in making participation possible for those who cannot travel. Please click the zoom link below or from the image right.
General Meetings
Held on 2nd Fridays of Selected Months of the Year
General Meetings are an open invitation to all who want to be part of the consumer movement.Use the links below to go to the zoom session or download the latest agenda/ minutes.
Executive Board Members
Betty Dandino, CEO
Betty Dandino has been the President of LACCC, Inc. for many years.
Kathy Diradoorian, Advocacy Chair
Kathy is our peer advocacy chair who helps connect us to peer advocacy related resources.
Pam Inaba, Chair Emeritus/Resiliency Chair
Pam was our President many years ago and now is the Resiliency chair.
She helps write minutes for our meetings and is a wealth of resources as an ACCESS ambassador .
Zerita Jones, Secretary
Zerita is a community leader who also helps document our meetings.
What the Los Angeles County Client Coalition Does
Provides information on trainings on Advocacy & Other Topics
Links Clients to Conferences where People talk about Empowerment, Advocacy, Reducing Stigma and Discrimination, Diversity, and Client-run Programs.
Educates Clients/Consumers on How to Advocate for Themselves and for Others
Provides safe Community Socialization tools for Clients Who are providers for others with disabilities & Actively Making a Difference in LA County
Meets Once a Month to Discuss Issues Important to Mental Health Clients
Helps Clients Learn about How to Get Involved in the Mental Health Advocacy Movement
Helps Clients Learn Strategies to Make Change in the Mental Health System
Gives Information on Education, Employment. Housing, Benefits, Services, Peer Support, Client’s Rights, Advocacy, Legislation & Other Aspects of Mental Health
Provides Mental Health Social Action & Advocacy as a non-profit Organization for Clients in the LA County Area
Promotes Recovery, Wellness, Hope, & Self Determination for People Receiving Mental Health Services
Advocates for Such Causes as No budget cuts for Social Security, Medicare and Medi-Cal, Food Stamps for People on SSI, Better Health Care and Mental Health Treatment Options, More Client-driven and Client-run Programs
Combats Stigma & Discrimination in Society of People with Lived Experience
Promotes Diversity and Cultural Competence to Create a Just Society that Embraces People with Disabilities
Promotes Client/Consumers’ Knowledge of the Structure and Functions of the LA County Department of Mental Health
Networks with Other Organizations to Create Collaborations & Partnerships that will help Us Spread the Word about Recovery, Wellness, Hope and Self Determination
Liaisons with Three of the Client-Run Programs: The Benefits Assistance Clients Urban Project (BACUP), MHALA Project Return, & LELA (Lived Experience LA) so that Clients Know where They can Go for Client-Centered Activities
Elects Officers to Give Clients a Chance to Practice Leadership & Learn Skills to Help Conduct a Meeting & Run an Organization
Advocates for Empowerment & Self-Actualization of All Mental Health Clients in LA County
Informs Clients of Political & Social Factors Which Affect Their Well-Being
Advocates for Empowerment & Self-Actualization of All Mental Health Client/Consumers
Informs Client/Consumers of Political & Social Factors Which Affect Their Well-Being
Exists to Enhance Client/Consumers’ Self-Esteem, Build Confidence & Practice Recovery
Demonstrates to Client/Consumers what Recovery can Look Like
Describes the History of the Client Movement while at the same time becoming a part of it
Connects Client/Consumers with Experienced Consumer Advocates who have helped Shape & Enhance the Client Movement in LA County
The Client Coalition Meetings are Held on the second Friday of selected months from 12:30 to 1:30 pm on Zoom.
For more info, Contact LACCC Chair Emeritus and Nonprofit Secretary Pam Inaba.
Feel free to call, text, or email.
Vision Statement
The Los Angeles County Client Coalition (LACCC), its affiliate BLACCC, and its chapters, including the Latino Coalition and Asian Coalition, are dedicated to championing diversity and inclusion to create a just society that embraces people with disabilities.
Mission Statement
The Los Angeles County Client Coalition is an association of current or former mental health clients who carry the message of hope, recovery, wellness, and self-determination to our peers and to our communities, including the mental health community, through our advocacy efforts.
Current Strategic Goals
To promote recovery principles and practices for people receiving mental health services
To combat discrimination and foster social inclusion for ourselves and our peers
To network with other groups to improve the quality of life for people like ourselves
To increase membership and involvement through outreach and education
To develop a yearly budget and fundraising plan related to our goals
Revised Rules of Decorum
We treat peers with dignity, respect and courtesy. Personal and cultural diversity is an asset of the LACCC.
We listen with intent to understand and hear each peer’s side. Our strength as a membership organization Iies in our ability to listen constructively and work together. Differences of opinion are valued. We encourage individualism and creativity as well as collaboration and partnership.
We protect each other’s confidentiality.
We maintain a positive attitude and keep control.
We maintain a passionate attitude and are factual.
We raise concerns respectfully.
We take responsibility for our mood and give ourselves a 'personal-time-out'; when we feel anger, fear, or concern during a meeting, and it's not the time to express it to our peers, we leave the meeting until we feel better. We go back into the meeting after we feel better.
Most of us have been treated poorly by others at some time or another. Despite this we avoid personal attacks or name calling, sarcastic or demeaning remarks, and harassing or embarrassing behavior to our peers. We avoid misinterpreting what our peers mean in a negative way.
Respectful, calm and friendly behavior is accepted by our peers.
We show empathy and compassion for our peers.
We compromise with peers.
We take responsibility for our behavior and actions and are willing to apologize. When necessary, we write a letter of apology or give a verbal apology within two weeks of the incident.
We keep a sense of humor.
We don't allow crosstalk. When necessary, peers step outside the meeting to have an important timely discussion.
We don't allow disruptions in meetings; we place our cell phones or other electronic devices on the ‘vibrate’ or ‘silent' mode during meetings.
If it is requested that we leave a meeting by leadership, we do so agreeably, speedily, and quietly.
Principles before personalities!
We now have a NEW HOME at CALIF– (In person meetings may be held here)
Communities Actively Living
Independent & Free
634 South Spring Street, 2 nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90014By Bus: LA Metro Line #18 stops at 6th and Spring. Walk towards 7th Street or Turn Right & walk on the left side of the street…634 is past “The Falls Restaurant & the fire hydrantBy Car: Parking is available in lot next to the Building just past 634 on the left side of the street. You may want to carpool with someone who has gone before to learn how to park for free. Feel free to email or call Pam (below) to ask who can.
Parking at CALIF: Spring is a 1-way street so go South on Spring from 6th to 634 S Spring on the left side past the building with blue striped awnings (which is labeled “City Lofts”). Enter the first driveway adjacent to the old building. (You should not have to cross the street.) ; Go up to the 2nd floor and sign for a Parking Permit from the Receptionist. You need to put the Permit in the Windshield and Park the Car. The Meeting/Celebration is on the Mezzanine Floor–M button in the elevator.It’s called “Joe’s Auto Parks” with an automated machine. A parking attendant may come by to ask you about your ticket vouchers and permit. If not, simply wait until a parking space opens up, park in a valid space once it does. Usually someone will relinquish a space within ten to fifteen minutes if you can wait.Go to the 2nd floor Office & ask for a Parking sign to put in you car window. If there was an attendant, they may also give you ticket vouchers to give to the attendant.Enter the 634 Building and tell the Guy at the Counter you are going to CALIF (pronounced KAL-LAIF).
Take the elevator to the 2nd Floor and enter the open office door.
Tell the Receptionist you are going to the LACCC Meeting and Sign in.
Go to the back of the office to the CALIF Conference Room.
Resources
Here are some resources and community support groups.
Looking forward to seeing you at our monthly meetings!
Greeting Cards
Only 5$All proceeds go to Los Angeles County Client Coalition, Inc. (LACCC, Inc.)
to support our 501c3 non-profit group in mental health advocacy
You may call us with any questions.
Please pay from Venmo @lacccinc
or from Cash App @Lacccinc
or send a check to:
Los Angeles County Client Coalition, Inc.
386 East Ashtabula Street Apt 104
Pasadena CA 91104
(310) 871-7876
LACCC, Inc. Executive Board Meeting
Executive Board Meetings Biweekly as needed
5 pm to 7pm PDT
Upcoming Executive Board Meetings:
Tuesday October 4th, 4-6
Please note these meetings are for Board Members & by invitation only. Thank you!
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Privacy Policy
Website Privacy Statement for Los Angeles County Client Coalition, Inc.
(Latest revision: June 2022)The LACCC, Inc. is committed to protecting the privacy and accuracy of confidential information to the extent possible, subject to provisions of state and federal law. Other than as required by laws that guarantee public access to certain types of information, or in response to subpoenas or other legal instruments that authorize access, personally-identifiable information is not actively shared. In particular, we do not re-distribute or sell personal information collected on our web servers.Information Collected
The LACCC web servers collect the following information: Internet Protocol (IP) address of computer being used; web pages requested; referring web page; browser used; date and time; and statistics identifying particular IP addresses from which our websites are accessed. LACCC does not associate this data to individual user identities.In addition to the IP address/browser information collected from anonymous visitors to the site, other information is collected and stored when users log in to view restricted content or submit forms. Specifically, the following information is collected from each user and mapped to a locally created account:LACCC Display Name (usually first and last name as: First LAST)LACCCC directory email address
The security website is not intended to handle confidential information. If you need to discuss a confidential matter, refer to the Executive Board to contact any of us directly.Use of Cookies for Analytics
Our website uses a third-party analytics provider (Google Analytics) to help us understand how visitors use our site. We use this information to improve our content and your experience visiting our site. Google Analytics relies on cookies to produce this information. Google Analytics does not receive personally identifiable information through these cookies and is prohibited from combining, matching or cross-referencing information from our site with any other information. We have also opted not to have Google Analytics storability to see your full IP address (a feature known as “IP masking”). Please review Google Analytics’ privacy policy(link is external) for additional information. It is also possible to opt-out of Google Analytics(link is external) for those who wish to do so.Although our website has enabled settings to respect “Do-not-track” requests sent by users who wish to opt-out of Google Analytics tracking(link is external), our site also makes use of page caching to improve site performance. Therefore, you will get the generic (anonymous user) version of each page, which will include Google Analytics tracking code and JavaScript even if you send “Do-not-track” requests. However, Google also provides tools for those who wish to opt out of Google Analytics(link is external), which will function whether or not you are logged into the site.Use of Collected Information
LACCC will use personal information collected from this site for the purpose of communication back to individuals who contact us via the site and additionally:LACCC uses browser-IP-address information and anonymous-browser history to report information about site accesses and to determine the popularity and effectiveness of content campaigns and placement. This information is used to improve Web presentation and utilization. IP address information may also be used for troubleshooting purposes.The user information collected by LACCC is used to identify users accessing secure content, and to pre-fill forms with information about the user submitting the form.Distribution of Collected Information
We will not disclose, without your consent, personal information collected about you, except for certain explicit circumstances in which disclosure is required by law.We will not distribute or sell personal information to third-party organizations.Access to your own information: Questions regarding users’ rights to review, modify or delete their previously provided personal information should be directed to laccc.inc@lacclientcoalition.org. Any disputes will be resolved under existing records regulations applicable to LACCC.Additional Information
For more detailed information about requirements for LACCC general meetings, online activities see the LACCC Policy section on Privacy and Confidentiality of Information (coming soon).Responsibility for External Sites
While using the LACCC website, you may encounter hypertext links to the Web pages of other mental health related websites or organizations not directly affiliated with LACCC. LACCC, Inc. does not control the content or information practices of external organizations. We recommend you review the privacy statements of these organizations.