January 25, 2024

BCHD Awarded $1 Million allcove

Beach Cities Expansion Grant 

Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) was awarded $1,000,000 to expand allcove Beach Cities programs and services through the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) for the California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Round 4: Youth-Driven Programs. 

As part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Plan for Kids’ Mental Health, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) awarded $150 million to 262 organizations to support wellness and build resilience of children, youth, and young adults. This grant program will allow for expansion of existing allcove locations in the Beach Cities, Orange County, Sacramento and San Mateo, and will add six new allcove centers to the statewide network.

Join the Center for Health and Fitness 

Looking for a new fitness center to propel your fitness goals forward? Make the new year great with a membership to the Center for Health and Fitness (CHF)! At CHF, we've eliminated all the obstacles.  

Come in anytime and see for yourself what makes CHF so special and when you're ready to join you'll find straight-forward, affordable rates with no enrollment fees. Get a $50 service gift card and a FREE gift bag when you join by January 31.  

Mindful Eating: A Recipe for Wellness

The new year normally means it’s time for new wellness goals, resolutions to break old habits and vows to get rid of things that didn’t work the last 365 days. A consistent theme adopted around January is better eating leading to a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. At best, being mindful of what you eat, how you eat and when you eat will lead to great outcomes if done consistently. Here are some tips to help you kickstart the new year on a positive note. 

Health Insurance FAQs 

The new year is a good time to check on any changes to your health insurance and ensure you know how to make the most out of your benefits. Learn about some commonly asked questions about insurance and links to resources to get more information. 

Click here to learn more about Officer Hedde's experience with BCHD.

lil'Vegerie puts Diners on the Path to Longevity

Blue Zones Project Approved™ Restaurants pledge to make the healthy choice, the easy choice by implementing evidence-backed actions that promote a healthier eating environment. 

Stop by lil'Vegerie at 800 S. Pacific Coast Hwy. in Redondo Beach to experience how they have expanded their commitment to customer well-being. 

Blue Zones Project Social Hour 

Blue Zones Project's quarterly Social Hour is an opportunity to experience good company and practice some of Blue Zones Project’s Power 9 Principles of Longevity, including Down Shift and Positive Pack, at a Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant. 



This month, we will celebrate our newest Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant, Banana Leaf in Redondo Beach, featuring South Indian dishes and gold pineapple lassi. 

Come join us to connect with others, watch a cooking demo led by the owner-chef Sri and sample some delicious dishes! 

Wednesday, February 21 

5 - 7 p.m. 

Banana Leaf  

1406 S. Pacific Coast Hwy.,

Redondo Beach, CA 90277 

Dementia Caregiver Support Groups  

Are you caring for a loved one with dementia and in search of more support? Join BCHD social workers for an 8-week caregiver support group in Redondo Beach to connect with others, share your experience and receive support. We have two options available:  

General Caregiver Support Group 

(facilitated by Joy Schmidt, LCSW)   

Mondays, 12 - 1:30 p.m. beginning January 29, 2024  

Men's Caregiver Support Group 

(for male caregivers facilitated by Rudy Diaz, MSW)   

Wednesdays, 12 - 1:30 p.m., beginning February 7, 2024  

1200 Del Amo St., Redondo Beach, CA 90277 

Social Hour with BCHD Care Manager Charlotte Barnett



If you have a question regarding community resources, want to learn more about Beach Cities Health District or share and learn ways to keep busy, please join us! These meetings are for all, a place to connect and feel heard.

First & Third Tuesday of the Month, Virtual

(February 6 & 20)

10 – 11 a.m.

Zoom link: https://bchd-org.zoom.us/j/87651635014 

2nd Mondays, In person 

(February 12)

2 – 3 p.m. 

Manhattan Beach Joslyn Center, Sunset Room 

1601 N Valley Dr., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 

Virtual Mindfulness Drop-In

Take 30 minutes to downshift and practice mindfulness techniques. The guided session will be led by a trained Beach Cities Health District instructor.



First Wednesday of the Month

(February 7)

4 – 4:30 p.m.

Virtual Families Connected

Parent Chat 

Provided in partnership with South Bay Families Connected, Beach Cities Health District and Thelma McMillen Center, the Parent Chat offers its participants a confidential and supportive space to share their parenting challenges and successes. 

Second Tuesday of the Month

(February 13)

10 – 11 a.m. 

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87374623578

Virtual Happiness Chats

This is a casual discussion group with light-hearted activities to spark conversation. Share ideas, tips, resources, jokes, quotes – anything that supports our happiness! 



Second Tuesday of the Month

(February 13)

12:30 – 1 p.m.

Ask an Advocate: Introducing our new Medicare Counseling Program with the Center for Health Care Rights  

Do you have questions about Medicare? Learn more about free, unbiased Medicare help from the Center for Health Care Rights, which runs the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) in Los Angeles County. 

During this session, a representative from HICAP will explain more about their free Medicare information and counseling services, which types of Medicare questions and problems they can assist with, and will also hold a question and answer session so that you can get some of your pressing Medicare questions answered.  

Thursday, February 15  

11 a.m. - 12 p.m.  

514 N. Prospect Ave.  

Lower Level, Beach Cities Room  

Redondo Beach, CA 90277 

BCHD Strategic Development Half-Day Meeting

Please join Beach Cities Health District's (BCHD) Board of Directors, Strategic

Planning Committee and staff for our Strategic Planning Half-Day.

The Half-Day brings together BCHD's Board, committees, staff, volunteers, community partners, and members of the public to improve decision-making, enhance organizational responsiveness, improve performance and strengthen the organization.

Please RSVP by Friday, February 9 to help us organize and plan for breakout groups during the session. Those that will be in attendance will receive a calendar invite.

Friday, February 16, 2024

8:00 a.m. – Noon

AdventurePlex

1701 Marine Ave., Manhattan Beach

The South Bay Dementia Education Consortium Presents: Accessing Affordable Dementia Care 

Join us for an overview of Medi-Cal, including recent asset changes and the Spousal Impoverishment benefit, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and other Medicaid waiver programs that can support you in caring for your loved one with dementia. 

The presentation will be led by Kim Selfon, Medi-Cal and IHSS Policy Specialist from Bet Tzedek Legal Services, and Emily Brosius, LCSW, Director of Community Services with Beach Cities Health District, followed by ample time for questions and answers from attendees. 

Thursday, February 22  

3 - 4:30 p.m. 

QPR Suicide Prevention Training 



BCHD is hosting a QPR Suicide Prevention training to help individuals recognize warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to Question, Persuade and Refer someone to get help. Learn skills to engage someone in crisis to discuss their distress, provide hope and refer them to someone who can formally assess and intervene. 

February 27, 2024  

4 - 6 p.m.  

514 N Prospect Ave.,  

Redondo Beach  

Lower Level – Beach Cities Room 

Hybrid Board of Directors Meetings



BCHD holds public board meetings on the fourth Wednesday of every month. Residents are encouraged to attend board meetings either via Zoom or in BCHD’s Beach Cities Room - Lower Level, 514 N. Prospect Ave. in Redondo Beach. You may also contact board members directly with questions or comments, or call 310-374-3426, ext. 8213.

Regular Board Meeting

Wednesday, February 28

6:30 p.m.

Mental Health First Aid Training

BCHD will host Mental Health First Aid trainings from the National Council for Mental Health. Similar to CPR training, individuals will learn how to provide support to people experiencing mental health challenges. It is an eight-hour training that requires two hours of pre-work and six hours of in-person instruction.  

At this training, you'll learn how to assess risk factors, provide initial support and connect individuals to professional resources, when needed.  

Friday, March 8, 2024  

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  

Beach Cities Health District 

Beach Cities Room 

514 N. Prospect Ave.,  

Redondo Beach 

allcove Beach Cities

allcove is a place for young people (ages 12-25) to take a moment of pause and access a range of services that include:

• Mental health
• Physical health
• Substance use
• Peer support
• Family support
• Supported education and employment

Center for Health & Fitness

Our comprehensive fitness center in Redondo Beach is the only fitness facility in California certified by the Medical Fitness Association!

• Cycling, Zumba, yoga, Pilates, strength & other exercise classes
• Online exercise classes
• Classes for older adults
• Programs for chronic conditions
• Access to trainers
• Massage
• Nutrition consultation
• Access to state-of-the-art gym equipment