Funding through California’s Behavioral Health Sustainable Infrastructure Program will support two 16-bed community residential treatment facilities focused on diversion and rehabilitation
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has announced its intention to award $20 million to the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Health through the state’s Behavioral Health Continuing Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), funded by Proposition 1, approved by voters in 2024.
The funding will support the expansion of two 16-bed Community Residential Treatment (CRT) facilities in Santa Maria, expanding treatment capacity for those living with serious mental illness in northern Santa Barbara County.
The facility is planned for development near the North Branch Jail and will focus on supporting justice-involved individuals through transformational and recovery-based treatment, providing a structured residential environment where individuals can stabilize, build life skills, and transition toward independent living.
The State’s Notice of Intent to Award is an important step toward developing the county’s behavioral health care continuum in northern Santa Barbara County. Final approval of the funding will be considered by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors at an upcoming public meeting.
“This potential investment represents a significant opportunity to expand community-based treatment options for people living with serious mental illness,” said Tony Navarro, director of the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Health. “Community rehabilitation facilities play an important role in helping individuals transition from a high level of care to a stable community life, while reducing the need for hospitalization or incarceration.”
The two 16-bed facilities will add 32 inpatient beds in northern Santa Barbara County and support a county-wide effort to expand treatment options that reduce reliance on hospitalization and incarceration.
Behavioral Health will collaborate closely with Santa Barbara County General Services throughout the design, development, and construction phases of the project. If approved by the Board of Supervisors, construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2029.
“We are pleased to partner with Behavioral Health to design and build a new mental health facility that will serve the community,” said Kirk Langerquist, Director of General Services. “We are using an advanced design-build process, a first for the county, that will enable an even faster timeline to complete the project.”
The award will represent another major investment secured by Santa Barbara County through the state’s Behavioral Health Sustainable Infrastructure Program, which supports the development of behavioral health treatment infrastructure in California. Previous BHCHIP awards have supported many projects locally, including the acquisition of Haley Street Behavioral Health Center in Santa Barbara.
“When voters in Santa Barbara County and the state of California approved Proposition 1 in 2024, they invested in the development of new community-based mental health facilities that will make a difference for their neighborhoods.” said Assemblyman Greg Hart. “I applaud Governor Newsom’s decision to award $20 million to help people with mental illness in northern Santa Barbara County. Once built, these facilities will change lives, bring hope, and improve the health and safety of our community.”
If formally approved by the Board of Supervisors, the funding will support the planning, development, and construction of the facility, which is expected to significantly strengthen the county’s ability to provide recovery-oriented behavioral health services closer to home.
Additional details on the project timeline and development process will be shared after consideration by the Board of Supervisors.
For more information about the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Health, visit www.countyofsb.org/behavioral-wellness. The Behavioral Health Hotline can be reached 24/7 (888) 868-1649.
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