The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) plans to allocate $20 million to the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness. This funding comes through the State’s Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), which is financed by Proposition 1, approved by voters in 2024. The funds will facilitate the establishment of two 16-bed Community Residential Treatment (CRT) facilities in Santa Maria, aimed at improving treatment capacity for individuals grappling with serious mental illnesses in northern Santa Barbara County.
The proposed facilities will be located near the North Branch Jail and are designed to assist justice-involved individuals. By providing diversion and recovery-oriented treatment, the facilities will create a structured residential environment where residents can stabilize, develop life skills, and transition toward independent living. The state’s announcement represents a significant advancement in enhancing the county’s behavioral health continuum of care.
Toni Navarro, director of the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness, emphasized the importance of this investment. “This potential investment represents a significant opportunity to expand community-based treatment options for people living with serious mental illness,” Navarro stated. She highlighted that social rehabilitation facilities play a critical role in helping individuals shift from higher levels of care to stable community living, ultimately reducing the need for hospitalization or incarceration.
Constructing the two facilities will increase the number of residential treatment beds by 32 in northern Santa Barbara County. This expansion aligns with the county’s broader initiative to enhance treatment options that minimize reliance on hospitalization and incarceration. Throughout the project’s design, development, and construction phases, Behavioral Wellness will work closely with Santa Barbara County General Services.
If the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approves the funding, construction is expected to conclude by fall 2029. Kirk Langerquist, director for General Services, expressed enthusiasm about the project. “We are excited to partner with Behavioral Wellness to design and construct a new mental health facility that will serve the community,” he said. Langerquist noted that a progressive design-build process would be employed, marking a first for the county and allowing for a more expedited timeline.
This funding represents another significant investment by Santa Barbara County through the BHCIP, which supports the development of behavioral health treatment infrastructure statewide. Previous awards from this program have facilitated various local projects, including the acquisition of the Haley Street Behavioral Wellness Center in Santa Barbara.
Assemblymember Gregg Hart commended the decision to allocate $20 million for mental health services in northern Santa Barbara County. “When voters throughout 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 would make a difference for their neighbors,” Hart stated. He believes that once completed, the new facilities will significantly impact the community by enhancing health and safety.
For more information about the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness, visit www.countyofsb.org/behavioral-wellness. Those in need of immediate assistance can reach the Behavioral Wellness 24/7 Access Line at 888-868-1649.
