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San Joaquin supervisors proclaim Mental Health Matters Month and highlight $137 million state grant for ‘Be Well’ project
Summary
The Board of Supervisors proclaimed May 2025 as Mental Health Matters Month and heard updates on county behavioral health efforts, including announcement of a $137 million state infrastructure grant toward the county's Be Well project and near-term plans for an access center and expanded services.
San Joaquin County supervisors proclaimed May 2025 as Mental Health Matters Month and used the recognition to spotlight a major state infrastructure award for local behavioral-health facilities.
The county's health officials told the board the Behavioral Health Department has been awarded $137,000,000 in state grant funding intended for infrastructure related to the county's Be Well project.
Why it matters: County leaders said the money will fund capital work intended to expand local treatment capacity and access to care. During public remarks, Health Care Services Director Genevieve Valentine described the grant as the largest county award of its kind and said it represents a major step toward building new local facilities and services.
Valentine told the board the grant will be used toward infrastructure for the county's planned Be Well project and related programs. "We are collectively putting our resources and energy to the forefront to break stigma, to advocate for better access," she said. Pat Barrett, a member of the Behavioral Health Advisory Board who spoke during the ceremony, shared a personal account of family loss and urged vigilance on services and access.
Supervisors at the meeting emphasized the grant's potential to expand crisis and stepped-care options. Supervisor Curt Rickman and others described the award as validation of the county's multi-year push to expand treatment and diversion options and said they expect the funding to accelerate local projects such as the Lodi Access Center and other behavioral-health facilities. Rickman thanked staff and community partners and urged continued attention to operational details and access for first responders.
No service commitments or contract awards were finalized at the meeting; supervisors heard the report and expressed support. County staff said more specific agreements and implementation steps will come to the board for review as project designs and partnerships are finalized.
What's next: County officials said they will return with implementation plans and contract approvals as design and procurement work advances. Board members asked staff to prioritize plans for transport and alternative destinations that reduce strain on emergency departments and to bring back details on operations and timelines.
