San Diego County’s Behavioral Health Services (BHS) has received $29.1 million in state funding to enhance mental health and substance use treatment facilities across the region. The funding is part of the California Department of Health Care Services’ Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), financed by a voter-approved bond in March 2024.
Community-Informed Planning and Dual Grant Approvals
Before applying, County BHS conducted thorough stakeholder outreach, analyzed local data, and gathered community feedback to assess pressing needs. The Board of Supervisors approved two funding applications in July 2024—both of which have now been granted.
Major Projects Funded
$21.1 million for the Substance Use Residential & Treatment Services (SURTS) Facility
Located on County-owned land in National City, the new SURTS facility will provide:
73 residential substance use treatment beds
16 recuperative care beds for Medi-Cal eligible individuals
Renovations are scheduled for completion by late 2026.
$7.9 million for a Children’s Crisis Residential Care Facility
This facility, to be built at the Polinsky Children’s Center in Kearny Mesa, will feature:
16 new crisis residential beds for children and youth with serious emotional health needs
This will be the first facility of its kind locally, offering an alternative to hospitalization.
Construction is expected to finish by 2027.
Additional Behavioral Health Investments in San Diego County
Five additional behavioral health organizations have also secured BHCIP grants, significantly expanding treatment capacity throughout the region:
Palomar Health Foundation – $49.9M for an acute psychiatric hospital in Escondido
InnerTribal Treatment – $19.9M for an adult residential substance use disorder (SUD) facility in Pauma Valley
McAlister Institute – $34.5M for an adult residential SUD facility in San Diego
Casa de Amparo – $19.9M for a psychiatric residential treatment facility in San Marcos
Epidaurus (Amity Vista Ranch) – $31.5M for an adult residential SUD facility in Vista
Regional Impact
Combined, these seven awarded grants will deliver:
- Approximately 375 new treatment beds
- Over 1,500 treatment slots, enhancing access to care across the county
This large-scale investment represents a significant step forward in addressing mental health and substance use challenges in San Diego County by increasing treatment availability and reducing pressure on emergency and hospital systems.
