Tri-City Mental Health Center, the troubled mental health services agency run by the cities of Claremont, La Verne, and Pomona, has disbanded its citizen advisory board.
The Daily Bulletin's Will Bigham reports that the Tri-City Mental Health Commission was dissolved by the agency's governing board. The article quoted La Verne Mayor and Tri-City governing board vice-president Jon Blickenstaff:
Several former commissioners have been critical of the board's decision to disband the commission, even raising questions about the legality of the move.
But Blickenstaff said the board "did everything by following the word of our legal counsel," and was even encouraged by several commissioners to disband the commission.
"Many of them themselves used the word `dysfunctional' to describe their work, partly because they couldn't get enough participation," Blickenstaff said.
Tri-City's governing board is seeking applicants for 10 positions on a new advisory board. Applications are due by April 18th and are available on the agency's website. You can also call (909)623-6131 for information.
Tri-City filed for bankruptcy in 2004 after over-extending itself by expanding its services too fast. At the time, Tri-City had over $20 million in outstanding debts. The agency did not emerge from bankruptcy until August, 2007.
A state of California review panel found that Tri-City was a redundant agency, providing services that are also available through the County of Los Angeles. The state panel recommended disbanding Tri-City.
Why did they stop caring after 2000?
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