Latest news with #GenevieveValentine
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
San Joaquin County receives $137M for behavioral health campus
May 14—STOCKTON — San Joaquin County's Behavioral Health Services announced Monday that it will be receiving $137 million in state grant funds. BHS was one of 124 agencies to receive funding, which was made possible through Proposition 1 and $3.3 billion to create more than 5,000 residential treatment beds for behavioral health care services statewide. "Today's announcement is a huge step forward for the county's efforts to bring this much needed resource to our residents," Health Care Services Agency director Genevieve Valentine said. "This critical funding allows us to move closer to construction, and ultimately toward opening the doors for those who need it most. I want to thank DHCS and the State for helping make dreams come true." Funding will be used for the county's Be Well Campus, a behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment facility located on 23 acres of land in French Camp near San Joaquin General Hospital. The campus will provide 172 beds dedicated to psychiatric health and substance use fisorder treatment services, including crisis stabilization, detox and sobriety centers, youth and family outpatient services, substance use treatment, integrated behavioral health urgent care and a mental health rehabilitative center. "This is a transformational moment for San Joaquin County," San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors chair Paul Canepa said. "The Be Well Campus is more than a facility — it's a commitment to making mental and behavioral health care accessible, compassionate, and dignified for everyone in our community. We are investing in care that treats the whole person, especially our most vulnerable residents, and bringing services closer to home. It's how we create a healthier, stronger, and more connected San Joaquin County." This will be the first facility in the region to consolidate comprehensive services in one location. The county said it will improve access, reduce stigma and help residents avoid unnecessary hospitalizations or incarceration. It will also be the first youth substance abuse residential program in the San Joaquin Valley. "This is a big deal for our community," said Supervisor Steve Ding, who represents the Lodi area. "The Be Well Campus means people in Lodi and across the county will finally have access to mental health care nearby — when they need it most. For too long, the system hasn't worked. Now we're doing something that will really help. I've pushed hard to change the rules and open the door for projects like this. We're finally moving in the right direction, and I'm proud to be part of it." Construction is expected to begin in September following environmental review and final permitting. The first phase of the campus is scheduled for substantial completion by July 2027. With Monday's award, BHS has secured $203.7 million toward the total estimated project cost of $261.8 million, with the balance being sought through pending grants and local partnerships. The county plans to hold a groundbreaking ceremony later this year to coincide with the start of construction.
CBS News
24-04-2025
- Health
- CBS News
San Joaquin County approves $261 million budget for Be Well Campus
San Joaquin County approves budget for Be Well campus south of Stockton San Joaquin County approves budget for Be Well campus south of Stockton San Joaquin County approves budget for Be Well campus south of Stockton SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY - The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously this week to approve a $261 million budget to move forward with the Be Well Campus project. "We want to increase access to behavioral health in the community, divert people needing this care from jail or going to emergency rooms," said Genevieve Valentine, the director of the county's health care services, in Tuesday afternoon's board meeting. The campus will have sobriety centers, treatment beds, and other mental health resources. County officials are using $1.6 million to outline the process of building the campus and the scope of care. "We want to create the first in-county medical substance abuse residential program, increase treatment bed capacity, allow for an integrated care model between behavioral health, the health clinics and public health," Valentine said. The campus will be built at Hospital Road and Interstate 5. "We have a massive problem here and I think it'll fill a gap that we are missing," said Jessica Velez. Velez is the founder of Red Rabbit Advocacy Programs in San Joaquin County, which helps those struggling with homelessness, drug abuse, and mental issues. She said that there aren't enough beds or treatments to go around for those who need them. "You're homeless, you go there, you're seen, then where? You got to go back to your camp to start taking [medicine]? That doesn't really work," she said. Velez hopes the Be Well Campus can put the county in the right position to help those who want it. "I hope people are willing to give these alternatives a chance because, obviously, what we're doing isn't working," she said. This campus will be built in two phases, starting with the south side of the campus and then the north. The county's goal is to have part of it built and ready in 2026.
