Golden State Today

California providers, with support from the Newsom administration, have begun construction on three new behavioral health care centers with funding from the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program. Following voter passage of Proposition 1, more behavioral health treatment sites will be funded and built in the coming years.

In recent weeks, California has supported the groundbreakings of three new behavioral health centers to increase access to both outpatient and inpatient care. The sites include a Community Wellness and Prevention Center for youth in Oakland, an outpatient behavioral health center in Modesto for children, youth, and their families in the Central Valley, and a behavioral and physical health care campus called the Wellness Village in Coachella Valley for individuals needing mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

Governor Gavin Newsom stated: "We are following through on our promise to move forward full steam ahead on new behavioral health centers and support for Californians – especially young people – who are struggling. Just as we ask our local officials to step up, use the tools available to them, and take accountability, my administration is doing the same. These new centers will soon be providing care and services to people across our state and are a beacon of more to come."

These efforts are part of California’s Mental Health for All Initiative. They represent a fraction of historic investments made by this administration to provide grant funding to local governments, businesses, non-profits, and tribal organizations for constructing new sites and expanding existing ones.

The funds will help children, youth up to 25 years old, pregnant or postpartum individuals, and their families with mental health or substance use disorders. In 2025 and 2026, more behavioral health treatment sites for all ages will be funded thanks to Proposition 1.

On June 6th in Oakland:

Safe Passages broke ground on a Community Wellness and Prevention Center serving youth. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) awarded Safe Passages $9 million for building a safe space addressing gaps in mental health and substance use disorder treatment. This wellness center aims to serve over 4,800 community members with critical resources through community-derived models of mental health services.

On June 10th in Modesto:

Construction began on an outpatient behavioral health center by Center for Human Services. DHCS awarded over $5 million for creating a safe space addressing gaps in mental health and substance use disorder treatment. This center aims to serve more than 1,425 new community members annually.

On June 12th in Coachella Valley:

Riverside University Health System broke ground on Wellness Village—a campus offering both behavioral and physical healthcare services. DHCS awarded over $80 million towards building facilities that address gaps in behavioral health treatment. The campus is expected to provide critical resources annually to over 20,900 community members.

Through the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), DHCS awards funding to eligible entities for constructing properties or investing in mobile crisis infrastructure aimed at expanding community-based behavioral healthcare options. This program seeks to address long-standing gaps within the system while meeting growing demands throughout people's lifespans.

Authorized by legislation passed in 2021:

DHCS can award $2.2 billion via BHCIP competitive grants alongside roughly $4 billion under Proposition 1 bond funds dedicated through the Behavioral Health Services Act & Behavioral Health Bond Act of 2024—allocating up-to $4.4 billion towards infrastructure projects supporting statewide initiatives like Mental Health For All.