In a significant boost for mental health care infrastructure, County Behavioral Health Services has been awarded a whopping $29.1 million in state grants aimed at expanding services for individuals grappling with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. According to the County of San Diego, these funds originate from a bond approved by California voters in March 2024, demonstrating a public commitment to addressing growing concerns in behavioral health care.
Prior to the grant approval, the County BHS meticulously gathered input from the community to pinpoint critical needs, besides parsing through local data and engaging with stakeholders. The two funding applications jam-packed with community-backed solutions, were greenlit by the Board of Supervisors in July 2024 and have now both received the thumbs up for funding.
The bulk of the funding, $21.1 million, is earmarked for the creation of the Substance Use Residential & Treatment Services (SURTS) facility. It's set to feature a notable addition of 73 residential treatment beds and 16 recuperative care beds for Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Slated to rise on County-owned land in National City, this facility is on track for completion by late 2026.
Additionally, the county will see the advent of a new Children’s Crisis Residential Care facility. Nestled within the County's Polinsky Children’s Center in Kearny Mesa, this $7.9 million project will herald the creation of 16 children's crisis residential beds, bringing forth a novel resource for hospitalized youth dealing with serious emotional health challenges. "This major investment will fill critical care gaps in our system and support the recovery and wellbeing of some of our most vulnerable clients," Nadia Privara, Acting Behavioral Health Services Director, told the County of San Diego. Construction is expected to wrap up in 2027.
Other entities in the San Diego County region have also caught a financial lift, thanks to Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program grants. Five additional behavioral health providers will be receiving funds to bolster the availability of critical services. These grants will cumulatively add around 375 treatment beds and 1,538 treatment slots, addressing the dire need for enhanced care options substantially.
