San Jose Unveils Residential Treatment Center to Revolutionize Mental Health Care for Its Residents

The County of Santa Clara has unveiled a brand-new residential treatment center, designed to cater to those with severe mental health needs via Santa Clara County. This innovative facility, a former detox center located near the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (650 S Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA 95128), has been transformed into a 28-bed Adult Residential Treatment (ART) program, marking a significant milestone in the county's ongoing effort to improve behavioral health services for its residents.

The new center is an integral part of the County of Santa Clara's broad vision to uplift mental health care in the region. The facility targets individuals transitioning back to independent living but still require a certain level of care, ensuring they receive the assistance they need without the costly and extended stays at inpatient psychiatric hospitals or mental health rehabilitation centers.

In addition to housing, the Adult Residential Treatment center in San Jose will provide a comprehensive range of services, including psychiatric and case management services, addiction treatment services, medication assistance, and other support. Besides these crucial medical services, residents can expect healthy meals, housekeeping, laundry, transportation to medical appointments, and various activities that help promote self-help skills and appropriate social behaviors, ultimately encouraging self-sufficiency.

Explaining the need for such a facility, Susan Ellenberg, President of the Board of Supervisors, said in a statement, "Twenty months ago, we made a call to action to treat and alleviate the ongoing mental health and substance use crisis in the county." She continued to highlight the county's extensive efforts in recent times, noting the increase in funding, the launch of the comprehensive 988 hotline with mobile response teams, and the groundbreaking of a new adult and adolescent psychiatric hospital as significant achievements. This new treatment center is another major step forward, and according to Ellenberg, it's only the beginning.

County Supervisor Joe Simitian, a long-time advocate for behavioral health services expansion, expressed his encouragement, stating, "We’ll soon have new facilities that help address that need, whether that’s getting beds for young people going through a crisis or giving people transitional care on their path toward independent living."

Renovations for this pivotal project commenced in late 2022, with the costs amounting to around $1.8 million, while the annual expense to provide round-the-clock care at the facility is estimated to be approximately $2.8 million. With impressive progress made within just twenty months and continuous commitment from the County of Santa Clara's officials and partners, this transformative facility is set to revolutionize mental health care for San Jose's residents, catering to their individual needs and ultimately helping them reintegrate back into society and live fulfilling, independent lives.