(Santa Ana, California) – The Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a Master Services Agreement (MSA) with Mind OC, a 501C3 nonprofit that serves as the fiscal agent for public and private funds. Cheerful OCMay 21, 2024.
This approval will allow Be Well OC, in partnership with the OC Healthcare Authority (HCA) behavioral health system, to expand delivery of a wide range of critical and comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder services to Orange County residents.
“Orange County is a place where community members can find support, resources and hope on their mental health wellness journey, and we are pleased to expand the reach of the county’s behavioral health system.” President Donald P. WagnerOC Board of Supervisors District 3. “Expanding our partnership with the Be Well Campus will enable us to provide best-in-class mental health and substance use clinical services for children, adolescents, adults and families.”
Services funded under the MSA and provided at Be Well’s Irvine campus include:
- Sobering Center
- Clinically Managed Withdrawal Management in Adults
- Inpatient Treatment for Adult Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
- Concurrent inpatient care in adults
- Residential Adolescent SUD Treatment
- Perinatal SUD inpatient treatment
- Adult Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU)
- Child Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU)
“Orange County is leading the way in behavioral health with the expansion of Be Well OC, bringing mental health and substance use disorder services all under one roof, something that has not yet been done in the state,” the county said. Vice Chairman Doug ChaffeeOC Board of Supervisors District 4. “We are breaking down barriers to accessing mental health services and serving as a model other counties can follow.”
The Irvine campus, currently under construction and scheduled to open in May 2025, is supported by a variety of stakeholders and partners. The Board of Supervisors approved $40 million for the construction of the Irvine campus. Additionally, $15 million was approved by the CalOptima Health Board of Directors, a $37.6 million Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) grant from the State of California (secured by OC Healthcare Organizations), $12 million in capital funding secured by State Representative Cotti Petrie Norris, $2 million in federal funding secured by Representative Lou Correa (CA-46) in the FY23 omnibus appropriations bill, and additional investments from MemorialCare, Hoag and Kaiser Permanente.
“In 2015, through the Orange County Board of Supervisors’ Mental Health Task Force, we reviewed our local mental health services and established the first Be Well OC campus in Orange.” Supervisor Andrew DoDistrict 1. “With its second and significantly larger facility in Irvine, Be Well OC has solidified itself as a public-private partnership model for the rest of the state and country.”
Be Well OC Irvine Campus is located on 22 acres of county-owned land deeded to Orange County as part of the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. The long-term vision for the Irvine Campus is to provide a full range of mental health, substance use and wellness services to children, youth, families and adults in Orange County – from urgent care to residential treatment and community wellness supports.
“Orange County has become a leader in transforming behavioral health care.” Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, District 2. “Our new Irvine campus, developed in partnership with the Orange County Health Department and Mind OC, will help us deliver on our promise to provide all patients with the quality care they deserve, regardless of their economic situation. We are pleased to see these services expand and become more accessible to all who need them.”
The campus will be developed into three areas. The first, Area 1, will include approximately 75,000 square feet of building space that will house a number of adult services, including crisis stabilization mental health urgent care, sobriety centers, and residential and outpatient programs. The community has played a key role in identifying the types of services and programs children, adults and families need to reach optimal mental health.
“Hope starts here in Orange County, and our vision to transform the mental health care system for children, youth and families in South County continues to grow at the BeWell Irvine campus.” Supervisor Katrina FoleyDistrict 5. “Opening next year will provide residents of all economic levels with access to critical mental health and substance use treatment while also providing families with a place to support loved ones in crisis. This latest expansion of services at the Be Well Irvine campus demonstrates Orange County’s commitment to advancing health, wellness and resiliency programming in our community.”
Area 2 is planned for specialized child, adolescent and perinatal programs, expanding capacity for both residential and outpatient services while supporting the whole family. Area 3 will expand opportunities for community connection by providing space for educational programs and classrooms, intensive support and navigation services, community meetings, faith and cultural event space, and a youth and senior center.
“Be Well OC represents a systems change to make mental health care accessible to all.” Rick AfableMindOC Board Chair Ann Mindock said, “We are grateful for the leadership of Orange County and the OC Health Care Agency, and the support of the many public, private, academic and faith-based partners who are part of the Be Well movement. The Board’s recognition of the MSA will accelerate the expansion of Be Well’s programs and services, building on the success of the programs offered at our Orange campus. By incorporating additional mental health and substance use disorder programming customized for children, adolescents, pregnant women and families, we will continue to change the conversation about mental health and wellness in Orange County and beyond.”
In addition to much-needed clinical services, the Irvine facility will provide comprehensive health supports to families and the entire community, including a multi-agency health care collective that integrates public and private health systems across Orange County, and youth and community education and enrichment. Services are available to all Orange County residents, regardless of insurance or ability to pay.
“Our collaboration with Be Well OC marks another important step in our ongoing commitment to comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder services for Orange County residents.” Dr. Veronica KellyDirector of OC Healthcare Organization. “We work together to provide a wide range of programs for different age groups and needs, fostering a community where everyone has easy access to support and resources.”
The campus design is intentionally low density, modern, simple, warm and inviting, providing dignity, a sense of belonging and hope to those in need.
About OC Healthcare Agency
OC Healthcare Authority (HCA) is a local, multidisciplinary health jurisdiction and chartered health authority charged with protecting and promoting the health of individuals, families and communities through the collaboration and coordination of public and private sector resources. The mission of HCA Behavioral Health Services is to prevent substance abuse and mental health crises; intervene early and appropriately when there are signs; and, when an evaluation indicates treatment is needed, provide the right type of treatment in the right place, with the right person/program, so individuals can achieve and maintain the highest quality of health and wellness. For more information on services and resources, visit www.ochealthinfo.com.
About BE WELL OC
Be Well OC is a transformative effort bringing together public, private, academic, and faith-based organizations to create a coordinated system of mental health care and support for all Orange County residents. The Be Well OC mental health system also includes substance use services, has world-class mental health and wellness facilities in Orange County, and a robust mobile response program currently operating in seven cities and on the UCI campus. Be Well OC’s work reaches every city in Orange County, addressing a range of needs from prevention and early intervention to crisis prevention to acute care and recovery. For more information, please visit: Visit bewelloc.org.
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