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Lake County Behavioral Health outlines closures of peer centers, interim services and Clubhouse plan
Summary
Lake County Behavioral Health told ERTH it closed several peer support centers and is shifting services to a Clubhouse model in Clearlake, with interim mobile crisis coverage and partnerships sought for food and clothing services; officials noted funding limits and staff reassignments.
Elise Jones, director of Lake County Behavioral Health, told the East Region Town Hall on June 3 that the department has closed the Big Oak Peer Support Center, Circle of Native Minds and La Voz as it moves services under the Behavioral Health Services Act toward a Clubhouse model based in Clearlake. "This resulted in closure of the Big Oak Peer Support Center, Circle of Native Minds and La Voz, with plans to move towards a Clubhouse model based out of Clearlake," Jones said.
April Gambra summarized current interim supports: a mobile crisis center operating Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., continued food drop-offs and a mobile shower. Gambra and Jones said the department does not currently have funding for clean clothes or hot meals and that current staff are being reassigned to different roles as programs shift.
Lisa Marie Benavides, Simple Gesture Northshore administrator, offered use of the Upper Lake Grange Hall as a potential partner site and said she is seeking Clearlake Oaks food partners. Angela Amaral asked Director Jones about a lease agreement for the Big Oak Peer Support Center; Jones said she could not provide an answer at the meeting.
Why this matters: the changes alter where and how behavioral health and peer support are delivered in the northshore, and local advocates told ERTH they are seeking partnerships to fill service gaps that the department said it cannot fund. ERTH members and the public discussed local options and volunteer efforts; David Abels later said a new nonprofit, Kindred Spirits, is forming to replace peer-center activities.
The department provided a mobile crisis line (800-900-2075) and encouraged agencies to partner where space or resources are lacking. ERTH members said they will follow up with draft letters and coordination requests to county bodies and potential community partners. The meeting video and organizational materials were made available on the ERTH website.
