YOR IV Project Name: Rapid Access for Youth (RAY)
Project Description: Building on the experience of our YOR III project, The Wellness Center (TWC) in partnership with Substance Use Disorder Integrated Services (SUDIS)’s proposed Rapid Access for Youth (RAY) program, will expand low-barrier, evidence-based substance use disorder (SUD) services for youth and young adults (16–25). This initiative integrates harm reduction, MAT, and recovery support across hospital, community, and outreach settings, ensuring rapid access to medications for opioid and stimulant use disorders, overdose prevention resources, and essential wraparound services. The MAT Telehealth Line, co-managed by The Foundation and SUDIS, ensures immediate, 24/7access to MAT, Narcan, and overdose prevention resources, often within 24 hours.
In-house and community partnerships are critical for youth-centered services. Jovenes, Inc. and Alma Family Services provide housing, mental health care, and family support, while LA Conservation Corps offers job training, and life skills development, addressing key social determinants of health. SUDIS extends targeted outreach in high-need areas, using peer support workers with lived experience to engage youth struggling with OUD/StUD or those at risk of misusing illicit substances. Additionally, SUDIS delivers school-based overdose prevention education, ensuring students, families, and educators have access to Narcan, fentanyl awareness, and harm reduction resources.
SUDIS will establish a Youth Council to ensure services remain youth-driven, culturally responsive, and adaptable to emerging needs. Composed of young people with lived experience, the council will shape program development, outreach strategies, and harm reduction education.
By expanding MAT access, scaling harm reduction efforts, and strengthening community partnerships, this project will reduce overdoses, increase engagement in care, and improve health equity for vulnerable youth across Los Angeles County.
Partner Agencies: Alma Family Services, Jovenes, Inc., LA Conservation Camp, East Los Angeles Women’s Center, YMCA
YOR III Project Name: Quick Start for Youth Program
Project Description: The Quick Start for Youth program within the LA General Medical Center Foundation aims to efficiently connect high-risk priority youth with addiction specialists, with new collaborations between LA County agencies and community members. This initiative will extend the medical model for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) care. Our primary population is current or former child welfare and juvenile justice-involved youth, with a particular focus on those in out-of-home care, specifically foster care.
We encourage medically-driven approaches to effectively address the needs of youth who are using or misusing opioids and/or stimulants. Long-term, this will lay the foundation for sustainable enhanced programming within County systems. We support successful engagement of youth in their medical home, and ensure medical providers are fluent in treating youth with addiction. By linking youth with dedicated specialists, training service providers in evidence-based strategies, standardizing screening processes, and promoting engagement in medical homes, the Quick Start for Youth seeks to significantly impact the lives of high-risk youth, fostering a supportive path to recovery and well-being.
Primary Contact:
Name: Lela Mazdyasnian
Position: Addiction and Community Medicine Coordinator
Email: LMazdyasnian@dhs.lacounty.govÂ
Phone:Â (213) 784-9191
Website: