It's time to set the record straight on Sacramento County's Behavioral Health Services for people experiencing homelessness, as well as two specific strategic plans to improve service coordination, collaboration, and funding among governments and non-profit partners.
The County is actively working to strengthen engagement and expand access to behavioral health services for the unhoused population with a variety of services and comprehensive strategic plans.
Strategic Plans to Improve Service Coordination and Collaboration Among Governments
The County, City of Sacramento, SHRA, and Sac Steps Forward (the local Continuum of Care lead agency for the Homeless Response System) adopted a Local Homeless Action Plan (LHAP) last fall. This plan includes strategies aimed at addressing behavioral health and substance use disorder services. Also, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors recently adopted the AT HOME plan developed by the California State Association of Counties. The plan addresses the lack of a comprehensive statewide approach to homelessness. The goal of the collaborative effort is to establish responsibility and accountability between state and local governments.
Sacramento County is committed to creating real change in our community while also promoting accountability. Sacramento County has numerous programs that provide care for the unhoused, including several services provided by behavioral health staff.
County Behavioral Health Programs and Services for the Unhoused
CORE Wellness Centers: CORE sites are located throughout Sacramento County in neighborhoods where services are most needed. CORE sites were specifically designed with community feedback in mind. The sites provide mental health outpatient services. Staff provides trauma-informed care to help patients. Services at the sites are flexible, and treatments are adjusted based on the patient's personal journey. Each CORE site also has a community wellness center. The wellness centers are open to anyone in Sacramento County.
Homeless Engagement and Response Teams (HEART): The HEART team provides services in encampments and at shelters. The group includes counselors and people who offer peer support. The team works to build trusting relationships with unhoused individuals while meeting them where they are.
24/7 Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic: The clinic provides walk-in services to people of all ages who are experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis. The clinic has safe spaces for individuals and families.
Sacramento County's Behavioral Health Services for the unhoused also include a Mobile Crisis Response Team to address immediate crisis needs in the community, and the Substance Use Disorder and Youth System of Care, among others.
Through these programs and the tireless efforts of the staff who provide these supports, the County is offering hope to those in need.
Recent Investments in Behavioral Health Services
Recognizing the importance of continued investment in behavioral health services, the Board of Supervisors recently approved over $78 million in additional Behavioral Health investments within the County, including expanding services to the unhoused community, enhancing supported employment services, justice-involved services, building out a second Mental Health Urgent Care, and developing a new Mental Health Treatment Center.
The 64-bed Mental Health Treatment Center will be located on Branch Center Road and is projected to begin operations by the end of 2026. Once it is operational, the capacity will be assessed to determine additional needs.
The County also applied for and was awarded $21.5M for a youth crisis facility. The facility will include a 16-bed psychiatric health facility and a crisis stabilization unit with a capacity for up to 27 youths at a time.
Acute/Subacute Hospitalization Beds
While the County has successfully met the acute bed needs for psychiatric hospitalization and there is not a shortage of acute beds, a recent RAND report revealed a shortage of 253 subacute beds for the entirety of Sacramento County.
It is important to note that Sacramento County Behavioral Health is responsible for providing mental health services specifically to individuals who are Medi-Cal recipients within the County, rather than the entire County population. There are a total of 566 acute psychiatric hospitalization beds in Sacramento County. Of those, 98 are County-controlled beds (available solely for County Behavioral Health Services clients).
It is also important to note the difference between acute and subacute care. Individuals require an acute bed when they are considered a danger to themselves or others due to a mental health condition. Subacute beds are used when someone's crisis has been resolved but they are still recovering, and in need of additional support and not ready for independent living. Subacute beds also help free up acute beds for other people in crisis.
Sacramento County Behavioral Health has taken immediate steps to increase subacute bed availability by expanding funding for contracts with out-of-county Mental Health Rehabilitation Centers (MHRCs). Available beds from these centers have been identified.
Addressing Homelessness: A County Priority
With these significant investments and efforts to expand behavioral health services, Sacramento County is taking action to improve the lives of unhoused individuals.
As Sacramento County continues its journey to deepen engagement and expand access to behavioral health services for the unhoused, it serves as an inspiring example of compassion and collective action.
Beyond behavioral health services, several other Sacramento County departments have programs aimed at helping the unhoused and those who are housing insecure, including the Department of Human Assistance and the Department of Homeless Services and Housing. By prioritizing collaboration, accountability, and comprehensive care, the County aims to make a lasting impact in addressing the mental health needs of this vulnerable community.
Through these efforts and support from the community, Sacramento County is paving the way for a brighter future aimed at providing unhoused individuals with the support they deserve.