March 26, 2024

Use Your Voice to Safeguard & Preserve Our Public Spaces

Comments on the proposed Redondo Beach General Plan Update are due by March 31!

In its General Plan update, the City of Redondo Beach is considering a reduction in how much can be built on public property – a change that would not allow full development of Phase 1 of the Healthy Living Campus or any development of Phase II (Community Wellness Pavilion, Aquatic Center, Center for Health & Fitness). If approved, this would significantly limit our ability to modernize our campus and compromise BCHD's ability to provide preventive health services to the community.

In planning jargon, the draft Focused General Plan Update includes a maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) – calculated by dividing the gross floor area of a building by the total lot size – at BCHD’s campus at 514 N. Prospect Avenue in Redondo Beach. The change would set a 0.75 FAR on BCHD’s campus while allowing a 1.25 FAR for city properties. This would be a devastating blow to BCHD's plans for the future.

As this action would directly impact BCHD’s ability to meet the health needs of residents in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach, we invite you to actively engage and participate in the public process for the City of Redondo Beach’s draft Focused General Plan Update.  

GET INVOLVED

Your voice matters, and we encourage you to get involved:

• Comment on the draft General Plan: https://redondo.konveio.com/focused-general-plan-update#page=35 (The FAR change affecting BCHD can be found in the Land Use Element section, page 2-11 (p. 35 of the full document) under "Public/ Institutional/Open Space.") Click anywhere in the document to add a comment. The City is accepting comments through March 31, 2024.

Building a Healthier Future

To learn more about the Healthy Living Campus, please visit our website at www.bchdcampus.org.

March is Social Worker Month 

Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) has a wonderful team of dedicated and knowledgeable social workers who support older adults and young people in our community. Social workers at BCHD help older adults age in place and support their quality of life while our social workers at allcove Beach Cities support the mental health and overall well-being of young people ages 12-25 across the South Bay. 

BCHD social workers through our Care Management Program provide confidential in-home visits and assessments along with recommended care plans and frequent follow-up to support independent living at home. The program is designed to address the challenges related to caregiving, isolation, difficulty with daily tasks, transportation, mobility, healthcare access and more. Our social workers also provide social support to clients with dementia as well as their caregivers and are out in the community facilitating workshops for older adults. 

Social workers at allcove Beach Cities provide care to young people ages 12-25 ensuring they get the support, treatment and tools needed to take care of their mental health. This includes counseling, bereavement support, eating disorder prevention and support groups. 

During Social Worker Month in March, we’re recognizing this special team for all their contributions! Thank you for all that you do! 

BCHD's Healthy Living Campus:

Building the Future Home of Youth Mental Health

Groundbreaking expected Fall 2024

The Healthy Living Campus project continues to move forward, transforming the 63-year-old Beach Cities Health District campus in Redondo Beach. In December 2023, BCHD and the City of Redondo Beach put the finishing touches on the Diamond Street Bike Path project, a precursor to the Healthy Living Campus, which will get underway later this year with the groundbreaking for the permanent home of allcove Beach Cities. 

The new campus will provide one of the area’s only youth wellness centers specifically focused on the mental health of young people, allcove Beach Cities. The allcove facility will be built at the SW corner of Beryl Street and Flagler Lane, on land owned by BCHD. The next steps for allcove Beach Cities include the selection of a Progressive Design Build team, with groundbreaking for fall 2024. 

Phase I of the campus also includes acres of green space; a unique all-inclusive out-patient facility for older adults that includes medical care, and residential care facilities for the elderly. Phase II includes a Community Wellness Pavilion, aquatics and the Center for Health & Fitness.

Four Ways to Prioritize Your Sleep Health

Getting enough sleep is important for people of all ages to stay in good health. Sleep plays a crucial role in our daily lives and can impact many aspects of our health and well-being. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), insufficient sleep in children and adolescents can lead to various health issues, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, poor mental health and injuries. Moreover, they may suffer from attention and behavior problems, which can negatively impact their academic performance. 

Questions about Medicare?  

Receive free, unbiased Medicare help from the Center for Health Care Rights by scheduling an in-person appointment with a State-registered Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) counselor. 

The counselor can assist with questions and problems related to: 

• Medicare coverage rules 
• Medicare Part A and B eligibility, benefits and claims 
• Medicare coordination with private insurance  
• Medicare Part D plan choices  
• Insurance options for supplementing Medicare — Medigap insurance, Medicare Advantage, Medi-Cal 
• Programs that help low-income beneficiaries with Medical expenses — Medi-Cal, Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help to assist those who qualify pay for prescription drugs 

To schedule an appointment, please call Beach Cities Health District’s Assistance, Information and Referral line at (310) 374-3426, Option 1. Appointments are currently available most Thursdays at the Center for Health and Fitness; please call us to book your appointment. 

BCHD Board of Directors Invites Residents and High School Students to Apply for Advisory Committees 

The Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) Board of Directors is seeking qualified residents and Youth Representatives to serve on its advisory committees. All committee members have a direct impact on the health and wellness programs and services BCHD provides to the Beach Cities community. Meetings are generally held quarterly and scheduled for evenings. Committee members must reside in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach or Redondo Beach. 

The following committees are seeking candidates: 

Community Health Committee 

Responsible for assessing community health and wellness concerns, monitoring the availability of community health resources, and recommending programs, service areas and business ventures to promote high-quality standards of health in the Beach Cities. 

Strategic Planning Committee 

Assists the Board in formulating and fulfilling BCHD’s strategic vision, mission and goals on an annual basis. Additionally, the committee is responsible for overseeing the development of BCHD’s strategic plan, which is updated every three years. 

Finance Committee 

Responsible for budget oversight, audit review, setting investment policies and business plan development. Members are expected to have demonstrated experience in finance, business or banking. 

Properties Committee Community Advisors 

Assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for managing District properties. The Committee Advisors are responsible for policy advice to the Board on property assets; acquisition, development, leasing and disposition of District properties; lease negotiation oversight; and, capital development plans. 

Residents who wish to be considered must complete an application.

PLEASE CLICK HERE.   

Youth Representatives who wish to be considered must complete an application.

PLEASE CLICK HERE. 

All applications are due by noon on Monday, May 6, 2024. Top candidates will be contacted for interviews and appointments will be announced in June. All terms begin July 1, 2024. Terms are two years for adult members and one year for high school students. 

Community members with questions about the positions or application process should contact Charlie Velasquez at charlie.velasquez@bchd.org or call

(310) 374-3426, Ext. 8213. 

Join the Moai Movement  

 A Moai® (pronounced “Mo Eye”) is a group of people meeting for a common purpose and can include activities like walking, purpose discussions and potluck meals. The word “Moai” comes from Okinawa, Japan, where neighbors use Moais as support systems. Based on this tradition, Moai groups are considered just as important to a person’s health as the benefits of being active, healthy eating and finding a purpose. 

Join us for a Free Screening of "Screenagers: Under the Influence” 

Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) and South Bay Families Connected are partnering with Redondo Beach Unified School District to host a community showing of the documentary, “Screenagers: Under the Influence,” a film that delves into how the tech revolution has reshaped adolescence and its effects on substance use. Watch the trailer here. 

Students and families are invited to attend an informative and entertaining film experience that focuses on practical solutions for keeping teens safe in a changing world. The film debunks myths and depicts strategies parents and schools can use to encourage healthy decision-making, support teen mental health, set limits and create healthy home environments. The film also includes many ways young people are using their wisdom and strength to help each other and themselves through this complicated terrain around substance use.   

Attendees will have the opportunity to take home a free Narcan (common brand name of naloxone) kit. Naloxone is a life-saving opioid reversal medication when administered immediately after a potential opioid overdose. BCHD’s supply of naloxone is provided by the California Department of Health Care Services’ Naloxone Distribution Project.   

Wednesday, March 27 

Parras Middle School, Multipurpose Room  

200 N. Lucia Ave., Redondo Beach  

6 – 7:30 p.m., doors open at 5:30 p.m.  

South Bay students and families are welcome to attend.

Hybrid Board of Directors Meetings



BCHD holds public board meetings on the fourth Wednesday of the 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, March 27

6:30 p.m.

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

(April 2 & 9)

10 – 11 a.m.

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

2nd Mondays, In person 

(April 8)

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

(April 3)

4 – 4:30 p.m.

QPR Suicide Prevention Training  

QPR Suicide Prevention Training helps individuals recognize warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to Question, Persuade and Refer someone to help. The training is aimed at equipping people with the knowledge and skills necessary to intervene and support someone who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts or behaviors.  

Learn skills to engage someone in crisis to discuss their distress, provide hope and refer them to someone who can formally assess and intervene. Attendees will have the opportunity to take home a free Narcan (common brand name of naloxone) kit.  

Monday, April 8, 2024  

4 - 6 p.m.  

514 N. Prospect Ave.,  

Redondo Beach  

Lower Level – Beach Cities Room 

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

(April 9)

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

(April 9)

12:30 – 1 p.m.

teen Mental Health First Aid Training 

Beach Cities Health District is providing an opportunity for young people, ages 15 -18, to be trained in teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA). Training is currently free to attend. 

tMHFA is a training program that teaches teens ages 15 -18 how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in their friends and peers. 

Participants must: 

• Attend all three sessions to be certified. 
• Must be in 10^th, 11^th or 12th grade or between ages 15 -18 to participate. 

Wednesdays, April 10, 17 and 24 

5 - 6:30 p.m. 

1200 Del Amo St., Redondo Beach, CA 90277 

What I Wish My Parents Knew:

Dangers of Youth Substance Use and Fentanyl 

Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) and the Beach Cities Partnership for Youth Coalition is partnering with South Bay Families Connected to host in-person events that will include a film screening of “Dead on Arrival,” a fentanyl documentary by Dominic Tierno and Christine Wood, followed by a panel discussion. This event is intended for parents and caregivers to hear from local young people who have lived experience with substance use. Panelists: 

  

• Sebastian Martin, Executive Director of Operations at New Life House   
• Brooke Juhasz, Program Director at Clarity Sober Living  

Thursday, April 11  

6 – 7:30 p.m.   

Manhattan Beach Middle School   

Multipurpose Room  

1501 N. Redondo Ave.,   

Manhattan Beach 

Tuesday, April 16  

6 – 7:30 p.m.   

Adams Middle School   

Multipurpose Room  

2600 Ripley Ave., 

Redondo Beach  

Naloxone (the life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication) will be available for participants. BCHD’s supply of naloxone is provided by the California Health Care Services’ Naloxone Distribution Project. 

Hermosa Beach Senior

Coffee Hour 

Join us at the Hermosa Five-0 Senior Activity Center for a cup of coffee and to learn more about the services Beach Cities Health District provides to older adult residents. This event is open to the public. Stop by anytime and join the discussion! 



Thursday, April 18 

9 - 10 a.m. 

Hermosa Five-0 

710 Pier Ave., Hermosa 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 one of two fitness facilities 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