Nearly $97M to be used to improve behavioral health services in Fresno County

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Fresno County and Community Health System have secured nearly $97 million in funding to strengthen behavioral health services.

The funds come from California Prop. 1, which allocated over $4 billion in bond funding for “use in competitive Behavioral Health Continuum Infraestructure Program (BHCIP) grants focused on behavioral health treatment settings for individuals experiencing mental health and substance disorders,” according to county officials.

From those funds, the County of Fresno secured $67 million in grants for projects that will allow them to meet the increased demand for these services; Community Health System, on the other hand, received $29.7 million, which they will use to expand acute care services for Community Behavioral Health Center and improve its infrastructure.

“We are honored to play a role in providing solutions and bringing mental and behavioral health care closer to home for area residents and excited for continued collaboration with our DBH partners,” said Cory Belliston, Community’s chief operating officer, Post-Acute Services.

The county says it will use $47 million for a modern treatment center near Highway 180 that will serve youth and adults; another $10 million will be used for a psychiatric residential treatment facility that will expand the care for youth and young adults and add 16 new treatment beds.

The last $10 million will be used for a psychiatric health facility to support community needs and provide involuntary care for people with co-occurring mental health and/or severe substance disorder, adding 16 new treatment beds.

Community, on the other hand, will use its funds to expand its Community Behavioral Health Center from 73 to 107 acute psychiatric beds and improve the facility’s infrastructure. Community officials say they expect construction, completely funded by the grant, to be completed by the end of 2028.