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Santa Clara County board hears behavioral‑health crisis update; staff outlines BH Connect opportunities and new beds
Summary
County staff told supervisors the behavioral‑health system has added dozens of treatment beds and is preparing to opt into the state—H Connect Medi‑Cal waiver. Supervisors accepted the quarterly update and asked for a September 2026 report on older‑adult suicide strategies and a response to a UCSF workforce study.
County officials presented the board with an update on the county's behavioral‑health public‑health crisis response Tuesday, highlighting new treatment beds, workforce initiatives and an opportunity to draw federal funds through California's BH Connect Medi‑Cal waiver.
Deputy County Executive Key Lee told the board the county has increased access to behavioral‑health beds since the last report, adding 34 beds to the earlier total; projects in development would add roughly 242 beds and, if all move forward, staff estimate the county's expanded capacity could serve an additional about 2,800 people per year. Lee said the Morrison Avenue facility opened the day before the meeting and the county is working to place clients there as quickly as possible.
'The county has added 34 more beds since our last report, including Morrison Avenue, and has additional projects underway that will substantially increase residential and withdrawal management capacity,' Lee said.
The presentation also explained BH Connect, a new…
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