VENTURA, Calif. – The County of Ventura has been awarded $93,760,044.27 in funding from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) through Proposition 1’s Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 1: Launch Ready funds. The competitive grant will support the development of three major behavioral health projects that will expand access to care throughout the region: the Lewis Road Mental Health Rehabilitation Center (MHRC), the East County Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), and the East County Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF).
The County of Ventura was selected as two of 124 projects across 43 counties to receive funding through BHCIP, which is part of a $3.3 billion statewide initiative to improve and modernize California’s behavioral health infrastructure. These projects will significantly strengthen the County of Ventura’s ability to respond to mental health needs across the care continuum.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build out critical high-level behavioral health infrastructure in Ventura County,” said Dr. Loretta Denering, Ventura County Behavioral Health Director. “These investments will help us deliver timely, effective care for those with the most serious behavioral health conditions – in our own community. We’ve been committed to bringing our residents back into our County and closer to home during their treatment.”
With this investment, the County will transform the former RAIN Transitional Living Center on the Lewis Road campus in unincorporated Camarillo into a 38-bed MHRC. The project includes not only renovations to the existing building, but also key infrastructure improvements such as upgraded water and road systems. In addition, the site will feature a new community center and a transit hub, helping to support clients.
This funding will make possible the development of the East County Psychiatric Health Facility on a shared campus with the Crisis Stabilization Unit, currently in development. This co-location model is designed to streamline care for residents in crisis while also providing a direct path to higher-acuity services when needed. These will be the first facilities of their kind in East County, addressing a gap in the current continuum.
“This endeavor is at the core of the Board of Supervisors’ strategic priorities of having healthy, safe, and resilient communities and creating reliable infrastructure to serve the needs of our community members,” said Dr. Sevet Johnson, County Executive Officer. “We know this investment will improve and change lives for decades to come.”
Proposition 1 funding contributes to the State of California’s overarching initiative to update and strengthen its behavioral health care infrastructure—improving transparency, accountability, and access across the state. These new facilities will expand the County of Ventura’s capacity to serve residents with dignity and timely support.
For more information about funding provided by DHCS, please visit the BHCIP webpage.
