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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10b - Los Angeles Found Project Lifesaver Program DATE: November 7, 2023 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Sara Somogyi, Director of Recreation and Community Services Candice Cheung, Deputy Director of Recreation and Community Services By: Ashley Marston, Management Analyst SUBJECT: LOS ANGELES FOUND PROJECT LIFESAVER PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH COGNITIVE DISORDERS CEQA: Not a Project Recommendation: Receive and File SUMMARY The Los Angeles Found (“L.A. Found”) Project Lifesaver is a voluntary system of trackable bracelets for at-risk individuals provided through the Los Angeles County Aging and Disabilities Department . The program is available to all individuals in Los Angeles County, including City of Arcadia residents. It is recommended that the City Council receive and file the information provided related to the L.A. Found Project Lifesaver Program for individuals with cognitive disorders. BACKGROUND At the September 5, 2023, City Council meeting, the City Council voiced interest in hearing about programs that assist in locating individuals with fluctuating or limited cognitive ability, if they wander away from their home or other location. Wandering is a common problem associated with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Autism. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 60% of people with dementia will wander at some point; and a study by the Interactive Autism Network found that 49% of children with Autism will engage in wandering behavior. While many of these individuals who wander are recovered, wandering cases create risk and can end in tragedy. In February 2018, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the ‘Bringing Our Loved Ones Home’ initiative (now known as L.A. Found), a groundbreaking countywide initiative to help locate individuals with cognitive impairments who wander. L.A. Found is proud to partner with Project Lifesaver, a voluntary system of trackable bracelets for at-risk individuals. The bracelet works by L.A. Found Project Lifesaver Program November 7, 2023 Page 2 of 3 emitting a radio frequency signal every couple of seconds. Project Lifesaver bracelets are intended for individuals who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Autism, or other cognitive impairments, including some mental illnesses. When an individual wearing a bracelet goes missing, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deploys a specially equipped team to assist with search and rescue. Weather permitting, the Sheriff’s Department can also deploy a helicopter with receivers to assist the ground search team and help expedite locating the missing person. When the individual wanders, caregivers are asked to quickly call 911 and advise the operator that the missing person is wearing a Project Lifesaver bracelet. The bracelet is not monitored until the person is reported missing. DISCUSSION The Recreation and Community Services Department has been advertising and promoting L.A. Found Project Lifesaver since its inception. To promote the program, the Department partners with L.A. Found Project Lifesaver by: • Hosting informational seminars at the Arcadia Community Center • Providing booth space for L.A. Found at the annual Senior Health Fair • Displaying the resource in the 50+ Connection publication, senior newsletter • Marketing the program through flyers and the electronic display board at the Arcadia Community Center, and on the City’s website • Including the program as an essential piece of the City’s Information & Referral program With this approach, the Department distributes L.A. Found Project Lifesaver applications to caretakers of at-risk Arcadians, promoting resources to combat and lessen the length of wandering incidences. The applications for the Project Lifesaver bracelet in Los Angeles County can be located on the L.A. Found website: https://lafound.lacounty.gov/project-lifesaver/. Free bracelets are limited in supply and are also available for direct purchase for $375. Once an application has been approved, the L.A. Found Unit within the Aging and Disabilities Department, will contact the individual to schedule distribution of the bracelet, train the caregiver on how to assemble the bracelet and how to test/replace batteries on the device. Information on the required documentation, or more assistance with the application can be obtained by contacting L.A. Found at LAFound@ad.lacounty.gov, or by calling the L.A. Found Hotline at (833) 569-7651. L.A. Found Project Lifesaver Program November 7, 2023 Page 3 of 3 ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), as it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund as a result of this program. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and receive and file the information related to the Los Angeles Found Project Lifesaver Program for individuals with cognitive disorders.