CALIFORNIA TO EXPAND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Project Will Expand Capacity by 40 Beds, Serving Nearly 1,000 Children and Individuals Annually
SACRAMENTO — On April 4, 2025, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and
Kedren celebrated the groundbreaking of Kedren South-Psychiatric Acute Care Hospital & Children's Village to serve the South Los Angeles community. This transformative project will provide a comprehensive system of care and support for children and youth experiencing significant mental health challenges—all in one location. It is funded by DHCS'
Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 4: Children and Youth and will serve as an integrated “Village Care" model designed for children and their families to receive their services.
Groundbreaking for Kedren South-Psychiatric Acute Care Hospital & Children's Village
DHCS awarded Kedren more than $57 million through BHCIP, which is part of California's ongoing commitment to expand behavioral health services for all Californians. With the passage of Proposition 1,
even more behavioral health treatment facilities will be funded and built in 2025 and 2026.
"The Kedren Children's Village represents a critical resource in ensuring the well-being and future of our state's most at-risk children. By prioritizing funding for this campus, California has reinforced its commitment to being a leader in providing high-quality, compassionate care that supports the mental and physical health of children in need," said
DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “Kedren's comprehensive approach to mental and physical health care aligns with our vision for a healthier, more resilient future for all children in California. It is an investment not just in their lives, but in the strength and prosperity of our communities."
Kedren South-Psychiatric Acute Care Hospital & Children's Village: This project was awarded more than $57 million through BHCIP. The facility will provide life-changing care for children and youth suffering from mental illness, trauma, and other behavioral health challenges. The BHCIP-funded portion of the new campus will consist of an acute psychiatric hospital with 24 beds (will serve more than 520 individuals annually), a children's crisis residential program with 8 beds (will serve nearly 300 children annually), and a psychiatric health facility with another 8 beds (will serve nearly 100 individuals annually). In addition to the BHCIP grant, part of the campus will have two buildings – funded with Mental Health Services Act funds – to include children's outpatient services and provide transitional housing for children experiencing mental difficulties and their families for up to 18 months.
“For nearly 60 years, Kedren has been committed to eliminating health disparities in South Los Angeles by expanding access to care,“ said
Kedren CEO Gregory Polk. “The Children's Village will be the first of its kind in the nation, providing a full continuum of mental health care for children and youth on one campus. We are looking forward to providing these needed and valuable resources for our community."
Kedren will offer a myriad of evidence-based therapies, including individual, group, family, recreational, occupational, and play. Staff will tailor treatments for each child with a mix of individual psychotherapy, behavioral modification, family counseling, and psychotropic medications. Kedren will also provide specialized assessments, such as psychological testing and occupational therapy assessments.
Director Baass | “The challenges we face in behavioral health are significant, but today, we demonstrate our collective commitment to building a strong, comprehensive system of care that will improve lives for years to come," said
Baass.
“Thanks to BHCIP, trusted community providers like Kedren will finally have the facilities and resources to provide essential services across the continuum of care, enabling individuals to receive the right care at the right time in the right setting with providers they trust." |
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: BHCIP is part of California's ongoing commitment to expand behavioral health services for all Californians. 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 co-occurring mental health treatment needs and substance use disorders. BHCIP is addressing 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 has awarded $1.7 billion in BHCIP competitive grants. In addition, DHCS will distribute up to $4.4 billion in competitive Bond BHCIP funding, including $3.3 billion for Round 1: Launch Ready grants as part of
Behavioral Health Transformation, DHCS' work to implement
Proposition 1.
ABOUT BHCIP ROUND 4: CHILDREN AND YOUTH:BHCIP Round 4, part of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, focuses on Californians ages 25 and younger, including pregnant and postpartum women and their children and transition-age youth ages 18-25, along with their families. The 52 awards totaling $480.5 million allow 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 disorder.