CALIFORNIA TO EXPAND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE IN CALAVERAS COUNTY
Project Will Serve 3,760 Individuals Annually
SACRAMENTO — As California continues working to strengthen its behavioral health care system, on April 18, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Mark Twain Health Care District celebrated the ribbon cutting of a new Crisis and Wellness Center in Calaveras County. Funded by more than $3.3 million through the
Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 5: Crisis and Behavioral Health Continuum, the center will offer urgent mental health care, substance use disorder treatment, and early intervention to serve 3,760 residents annually.
Ribbon Cutting for Mark Twain Health Care District
“Investing in behavioral health infrastructure is a critical step toward ensuring that every Californian — no matter where they live — has access to timely, equitable, and quality care," said
DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “We're pleased to support Mark Twain Health Care District as it expands vital services that will strengthen community wellness and support individuals on their path to recovery. Bringing care closer to home helps prevent crises before they escalate and strengthens the local support networks people rely on."
MARK TWAIN HEALTH CARE DISTRICT: The expanded Crisis and Wellness Center is projected to serve 3,760 individuals annually. The center will provide outpatient behavioral health treatment, including therapy, medication management, and psychiatric urgent care. Additionally, the project will leverage partnerships with youth organizations to provide early intervention services geared toward preventing joblessness, homelessness, substance use, and confinement.
“Patients in Calaveras County are underserved, often confined or incarcerated, and, if they finish school, are frequently involved with justice authorities," said
Randy Smart, CEO of Mark Twain Health Care District. “Our community recognizes that these outcomes are preventable and treatable, but more resources are desperately needed. Our county has the willpower, leadership, and vision to commit to an outpatient crisis center and prevention center that will be a critical step forward in meeting the demand for behavioral health care."
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: BHCIP is part of California's ongoing commitment to expand behavioral health services for all Californians. 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. With the passage of Proposition 1, even more behavioral health treatment facilities will be funded and built in 2025 and 2026.
Through BHCIP, DHCS awards eligible entities funding to construct, acquire, and expand properties and invest in mobile crisis infrastructure, helping communities meet rising demand and close historic service gaps. These investments are especially critical in rural communities, ensuring people can access timely, life-saving care without having to travel long distances.
ABOUT BHCIP ROUND 5: CRISIS AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONTINUUM: BHCIP Round 5: Crisis and Behavioral Health Continuum was developed, in part, through a statewide needs assessment that identified significant gaps in available crisis services. This assessment showed the need for a better system of crisis care to reduce emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and incarceration. The 33 awards, totaling $430 million, are being used to build and expand crisis care and behavioral health facilities statewide and will serve Californians of all ages, including Medi-Cal members. Please see the BHCIP website for more information about grant recipients and additional details about all BHCIP funding rounds.