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County outlines 10,000 sq ft youth and family wellness center for Orland; residents raise notice, access and safety questions
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Summary
County behavioral health staff and Banner Construction Management presented plans for a state‑funded 10,000 sq ft youth and family wellness center near South Street; presenters said services will focus on Glenn County Medi‑Cal beneficiaries, aim to open by July 2027, and will include outreach and a planned bus stop, while neighbors asked about notification, security, licensing and clinical scope.
County behavioral health representatives presented plans for a 10,000 square‑foot Youth and Family Wellness Center on county‑owned land near South and 8th streets during the Orland City Council meeting on April 7.
Eloise (county behavioral health presenter) said the project is funded through the Department of Health Care Services’ Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program. The facility is intended to expand specialty mental‑health and substance‑use services for children, adolescents and transition‑age youth, with on‑site therapy, intensive home‑based services, case management and perinatal supports. Eloise said the county has encumbered the land for behavioral health services for 30 years as required by the grant and that the team aims to open by July 2027.
Banner Construction Management’s Keith Burton described the building as a single‑story, wood‑frame structure designed to fit the neighborhood and accommodate clinical and group spaces. County staff said the facility will primarily serve local Medi‑Cal beneficiaries and that psychiatric care will be provided by licensed clinicians using a mix of on‑site and telepsychiatry services. Staff stated that opioid‑replacement treatments such as methadone would require separate licensing and are not part of the planned scope.
During an extended public comment period, local business owners and residents raised concerns that neighbors and adjacent businesses were not given early notice of the county’s land purchase and questioned the impact on property tax rolls, transportation access, security for staff working evening shifts, and whether the site could be expanded for other future uses. Presenter Eloise acknowledged gaps in outreach to adjacent neighbors, said county jurisdiction limited city permitting authority for the site and committed to improved community communications, offering to post project information and to coordinate bus shelter planning with the county transportation committee.
County staff also said the facility will not provide overnight shelter or allow sleeping on site, and that the program includes a “no‑wrong‑door” policy to connect people to appropriate county resources.
The council took no formal action on the project; presenters agreed to return with further data and outreach plans and to provide the council updates during construction.
