— The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) joined Riverside University Health System on June 12 to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new behavioral health and physical health care campus called the Wellness Village that will serve individuals who need mental health and substance use disorder treatment. DHCS awarded Riverside University Health System more than $80 million to build a safe space to address gaps in behavioral health treatment.
Groundbreaking for Riverside University Health System Wellness Village
The portions of the campus funded through this effort will enable Riverside University Health System to provide critical resources to more than 20,900 community members annually.
With the recently approved Proposition 1 bonds, in 2025 and 2026, even more behavioral health treatment facilities will be funded and built.
“For too long, communities across the state, including in Riverside County, lacked the resources to address vital behavioral and physical health needs," said
Marlies Perez, Chief of DHCS' Community Services Division. “The Wellness Village will be a first-of-its-kind community center, providing wraparound and community-based services for families in need."
In addition to offering primary and specialty medical and mental health care, substance use disorder treatment, pharmacy, and crisis services, the Wellness Village will provide social services, such as Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and employment readiness training. The mental health and substance use disorder treatment services will offer a continuum of care for adults and children that includes crisis stabilization, residential, rehabilitation, office-based outpatient, and a sobering center.
"The Wellness Village represents a transformative step forward in how we deliver health care, blending hope, healing, and innovation into one cohesive location," said
Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health Director Dr. Matthew Chang. “This project is designed to provide holistic care, addressing behavioral health, physical health, and social support, all in a nurturing and inviting environment. By integrating these essential services, we are creating a comprehensive and accessible system that will significantly enhance the quality of life for our community. Our vision is to foster a place where individuals can find the care they need, all in one location, surrounded by a community that supports their journey to wellness."
This effort, part of the
Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, is a historic investment that provides grant funding to construct new facilities and expand existing facilities that help children, youth, transition-age youth, and pregnant or postpartum individuals and their families with mental health and/or substance use disorders.
RIVERSIDE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM PROJECT: The Riverside University Health System Wellness Village will embody a full-service behavioral health and physical health care campus that serves as a safe, monitored, and therapeutic community and living space while simultaneously delivering high-quality, person-first treatment for behavioral and physical health. Individuals and their families will be able to move through the campus' continuum of care, from intensive oversight and treatment activities to decreased therapeutic contact, enabling them to prepare for a self-sustained recovery grounded in their community.
This project is the first of its kind and hosts a multitude of other wraparound and onsite community services. In addition to grant-funded services, the campus will include recovery residences, transitional living, a primary care health clinic, a pet hotel, and a grocery store for residents. With a focus on social drivers of health, the Wellness Village is designed to deliver care and outreach that supports people in their physical, behavioral, and spiritual growth. The Wellness Village was funded through the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 3: Launch Ready and Round 4: Children and Youth.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: Through
BHCIP, DHCS awards eligible entities funding to construct, acquire, and expand properties and invest in mobile crisis infrastructure to further expand the range of community-based behavioral health treatment options for people with mental health and substance use disorders. BHCIP addresses historic gaps in the behavioral health care system to meet the growing demand for services and supports throughout the lifespan of people in need.
DHCS was authorized through 2021 legislation to award $2.2 billion in BHCIP competitive grants. In addition, DHCS will distribute roughly $4 billion in BHCIP grants under Proposition 1 bond funds. Proposition 1 includes the Behavioral Health Services Act and Behavioral Health Bond Act of 2024; more information about Proposition 1 can be found at
mentalhealth.ca.gov.
Behavioral Health Transformation is DHCS' work to implement Proposition 1. DHCS holds monthly public listening sessions. Updates and recordings of the sessions are available on the
Behavioral Health Transformation webpage.
ABOUT BHCIP ROUND 3: LAUNCH READY:BHCIP Round 3 supported preparation activities to plan for the acquisition and expansion of behavioral health infrastructure throughout the state. The 45 facilities totaling $518.5 million allowed for new construction, acquisition, and rehabilitation of real estate assets to expand the behavioral health continuum of treatment and service resources. BHCIP applicants were required to demonstrate project expansion with the behavioral health continuum of treatment and services in settings that serve Medi-Cal members and have a valid planning process to ensure projects are ready for implementation.
ABOUT BHCIP ROUND 4: CHILDREN AND YOUTH:BHCIP Round 4 focused on Californians ages 25 and younger, including pregnant and postpartum women and their children and youth ages 16-25, along with their families. The 52 awards totaling $480.5 million allowed for new construction and expansion of multiple outpatient and residential facility types, including children's crisis residential programs, perinatal residential substance use disorder facilities, community wellness/youth prevention centers, and outpatient treatment for substance use disorders.
Please see the
BHCIP website for more information about grant recipients and additional details about all BHCIP funding rounds.