CHICO, Calif. – Butte County has been awarded a $7.7 million state grant to establish its first mental health rehabilitation center, a major step toward addressing the county’s growing mental health care needs.
The new facility will be located in the former Enloe Behavioral Health building on Cohasset Road and will provide long-term housing for individuals with severe mental health disorders who are unable to live safely in the community. The center will feature 40 beds, with 20 designated for Butte County residents and another 20 available for patients from neighboring counties.
Scott Kennelly, Director of Butte Behavioral Health, explained that the grant will be used for renovations to the building. He also highlighted the significant economic impact of the project, which is expected to create numerous job opportunities. “Millions of dollars will be invested into the facility for staffing and operations,” Kennelly said. “We’re going to need people to staff up the facility, so this will create new jobs in the community.”
In addition to the economic benefits, Kennelly stressed the positive impact the center will have on patient care. The new facility will allow clients to receive care locally, potentially preventing the need for out-of-county placements or transfers to state hospitals. “The overall care for our clients will improve as they are able to stay closer to home,” he said.
Although the grant is expected to be awarded later this year, Kennelly is in discussions with the state to possibly begin renovations sooner, with plans for reimbursement. If these efforts are successful, the center could open its doors to patients as early as Spring 2026.
