The Nevada County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a grant application to fund a 16-bed inpatient mental health treatment facility. The proposed project aims to address critical gaps in care for residents with serious mental illness, particularly in rural areas.
A Regional Solution for Intensive Mental Health Care
This facility will be a pivotal resource for Nevada County and neighboring rural counties that struggle with limited mental health infrastructure. Behavioral Health Director Phebe Bell highlighted the pressing need, saying, “We currently do not have the capacity to provide a high level of care to residents on 5150 holds within our county, and much of Northern California faces the same challenge. This facility will help us address that gap.”
Planned for the county-owned land at the Government Center, the facility will serve as a mixed-use treatment center, offering both short-term stabilization and long-term care of 6 to 9 months.
Leveraging Prop 1 Funding
Nevada County’s grant application seeks to tap into the $3.3 billion in state Proposition 1 funding announced in July 2024, described by Bell as a “once-in-a-generation investment” in California’s mental health infrastructure. This funding is critical to addressing the lack of treatment facilities in rural regions.
With construction costs estimated between $16-20 million, the county sees the grant as essential for project realization. Bell expressed optimism, stating, “This new investment represents an opportunity to finally address the insufficient supply of needed treatment facilities in rural California, and it will ensure that we can meet the needs of our community for the next 20 to 30 years.”
Economic and Social Benefits
Currently, Nevada County spends $2.6 million annually sending residents out of the county for intensive mental health care. Board of Supervisors Chair Hardy Bullock emphasized the value of retaining those dollars locally, adding, “To serve those 16 people to be able to receive support here and be with their families is important.”
Next Steps
Should the grant be awarded in early 2025, the county plans to contract with Crestwood, a recognized mental health care provider, to manage the facility’s operations. Additionally, a contract for the facility’s design will be presented to the Board of Supervisors in December, contingent on securing the grant.
This facility represents a transformative step toward addressing long-standing mental health care challenges in rural California, providing hope and stability for individuals and families in need.
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