Aegis proposes mobile opioid‑treatment unit for Calaveras; board signals support to proceed

Aegis Treatment Center, in partnership with Calaveras County Behavioral Health, presented Jan. 27 a proposal to operate a mobile medication unit to deliver medication‑assisted treatment to adults with opioid use disorder across Amador and Calaveras counties.

Dr. Sara Pajalajiani of Aegis told the board the program is funded through state grants and that "each grant was in $1,700,000" to outfit units, hire staff and meet DEA, DHCS and SAMHSA requirements. Aegis representatives described a wraparound model: two nurses on the vehicle, a security/driver to control entry, patient navigators for case coordination and telehealth counseling for short stop durations.

Behavioral Health director Wendy Alt said the county currently has residents traveling to Sonora, Stockton and Lodi for treatment and that local access would reduce relapse risk and emergency room burden. Probation and public‑safety representatives—including a probation official and CAL FIRE unit chief—told the board the proposal would aid client monitoring and interagency response.

Aegis proposed operating five days a week with interchangeable stops in Amador and Calaveras and using the HHSA parking lot at 509 E. Charles St. as an initial Calaveras stop; the final address will be included in licensing materials submitted to DHCS. The presenters said licensure walkthrough and approval could take four to six weeks after application updates.

The item was agendized as informational; the board gave an initial thumbs‑up and asked staff to return with formal agreements, a specific location and any needed local approvals. No final contract or county funding decision was made at the meeting.