Kings County updates Care Court launch, opens bridge housing units and starts 24/7 behavioral health line

Dr. Lisa Lewis, speaking for Kings County Behavioral Health, told the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 14 that the state’s Care Act program (established by Senate Bill 1338) launched in Kings County Dec. 1 and that the department and the Kings County Superior Court are working on the county’s first petition under the program.

Lewis said the program allows family members, support persons, first responders or treatment providers to petition a local civil court to initiate engagement and connect eligible adults with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders to assessment, treatment and housing "as appropriate and as the person is eligible." She announced the promotion of Kristie Levke to assistant director of Kings County Behavioral Health and said the department has posted a press release and a public information flyer.

A county behavioral health staff member (unidentified in the transcript) provided operational updates: the county launched a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week behavioral health call center and a linked mobile crisis response on Dec. 31. The staff member said the line handles both access/warm-line calls and crises, has received more than 100 calls, and has dispatched mobile crisis teams to assist individuals and families. The public contact number given at the meeting was 559-247-HELP.

Lewis and staff also described a grant-funded bridge-housing effort to support Care Act participants. The county awarded a grant to Kings Community Action Organization (KCAO) to convert 27 units at the Holiday Lodge on East Lacey into short-term bridge housing; the transcript reports 13 of 27 units were open as of Jan. 13 and the remaining 14 were anticipated to open in April. The bridge housing is intended as transitional support for people leaving the street or shelters as they move toward permanent supportive housing, and placements will prioritize individuals enrolled in Care Court when housing assistance is part of a care plan.

The staff member also reported that Good Samaritan Hospital submitted a sole application for B-CHIP round 1 for a site near Lacey Medical Plaza, across from the old courthouse, for an adult crisis stabilization unit and related services; award decisions for that round were expected in May. Board members asked clarifying questions about operations and application timing.

The board did not take formal action on these items during the hearing; presenters said materials and a press release are on the public table for the record. The county encouraged community members to use the posted resources and the 559-247-HELP line for access to services or crisis assistance.