
Origins of Hollywood 2.0
The conception and goals of this innovative program
The idea for H20 was hatched in Trieste, Italy. People living with mental health conditions there have been treated effectively for decades with community-centered care and compassion. After several visits to Trieste, a delegation of progressive LA leaders in both the mental health and homelessness sectors determined to bring this model of “radical hospitality” to an American community that needed it badly. Hollywood 2.0 was born.

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Community Launch
Five years after conception, H20 launches in July of 2022
Once LACDMH received approval to proceed with this innovative program, they recognized the need for a partner who could help activate the Hollywood community. H4WRD was the logical choice. After bringing together a robust coalition of public/private stakeholders invested in creating systemic change, H4WRD helped support DMH with the launch of H20 in July of 2022.
Hollywood 2.0 Workgroups
Workgroups are formed to gather community input
People-Systems
Identify the current gaps that exist for treating individuals experiencing mental illness or homelessness.
Purpose
Create opportunities for people to find purpose in their lives through education, mentorship and employment.
Place
Help people move off the street and into the best housing opportunities available, from interim shelters to permanent homes.
The Place participants may have had the clearest mandate of all the workgroups -- to move folks off the streets and into some form of housing -- but also found themselves confronting the same thorny challenges that have made homelessness in Hollywood the crisis it is today: not enough available beds, overwhelming bureaucracy to navigate, mental health issues that require more time, effort, and training to treat, etc. Fortunately, the Place participants were not deterred, and instead came up with some of the more innovative ideas that will address, when implemented, both mental health AND homelessness.
Community Activation/ Focus Groups
Community Activation/Focus Groups
Supporting and listening to those with lived experience.
Ever since its launch, H20 has continually cast a light on the lived experience of those the program is designed to support. In fall ‘22, that meant hosting a screening of a documentary about the world’s first orchestra comprised primarily of musicians living with mental health conditions. In early ‘23, we gathered three focus groups from the TAY (Transitional Aged Youth), SMI (Serious Mental Illness) and PEH (persons experiencing homelessness) populations, which helped provide the H20 workgroups with invaluable ideas and contributions.

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In-person Crosswalk
Workgroups gather to select top ideas for DMH.
After months of meeting only virtually, our Crosswalk event in February ‘23 brought all 3 workgroups together in person for the first time. The DMH team provided updates from their end, while the workgroups offered an overview of their work so far. The Crosswalk culminated in an engaged polling process, which allowed participants to select the top ideas each group would submit to DMH.
Concept Notes / Recommendations
Following the Crosswalk polling process, the workgroups divided up into six subgroups to create Concept Notes for each idea being recommended to DMH for further consideration. The six Concept Notes below represent the product of nearly a year of workgroup meetings and focused community engagement – and the culmination of a 6 year vision of bringing “radical hospitality” to Hollywood:
H20's catchment area

Send us an email at H20@Hollywood4WRD.org to stay up to date on our progress!
Email Us!You can also contact DMH's Program Manager here: hollywood2.0@dmh.lacounty.gov