Sonoma County to receive $29.5 million in state grants for behavioral health and homelessness services

Sonoma County is set to receive $29.5 million through two separate state grants focused on expanding local support for children as well as unsheltered individuals, the county announced today.

The county was awarded $18.25 million from the state Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program to support, among other programs, the creation of a children's crisis residential program and an adolescent residential substance use disorder treatment facility in Sonoma Valley.

At the same time, the county also has been notified that it will be receiving $11.25 million from the state Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program to house homeless individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.

“With these grants, we will be able to provide residential and outpatient behavioral health treatment services to our youth population as well as providing treatment and recovery services for homeless individuals,” said Tina Rivera, director of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services. “Our team did some incredible work to bring these dollars into the county, and I am so proud of the work we have done.”

The $18.25 million grant will allow the county to provide a variety of services including intensive outpatient treatment for youth, young adults, and their families. It will also help establish a children's crisis residential program and an adolescent residential substance use disorder treatment facility that is anticipated to serve more than 600 youth, young adults and their families each year. The 2-acre, 14-bed facility will be located at the county’s Los Guilicos campus located in Sonoma Valley.

With the $11.25 million grant, the county will prioritize mental health and substance use services, as well as housing supports for participants of the state Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Court. The funding will also provide behavioral health services and support for homeless individuals as well as those exiting jails and hospitals, providing treatment and recovery services for those struggling with mental health and substance use disorders.