Alameda County Health Committee hears update on African American Wellness Hub; $19 million set aside

Alameda County Behavioral Health and the General Services Agency updated the county Health Committee on July 14 on the African American Wellness Hub, a county‑backed project aimed at creating a culturally grounded center for mental‑health, substance‑use and navigation services. Dr. Karen Tribble, Alameda County Behavioral Health director, said the county has designated more than $19,000,000 in capital for the Hub and has acquired a site the county plans to replace with a new, larger facility.

The presentation laid out why the Hub was developed, the research and community input that drove it, and the timeline and procurement steps ahead. "What this is not is just a building that serves only black people," Dr. Tribble said, emphasizing the Hub’s intent to provide culturally affirming services while remaining open to all who seek care. County staff also highlighted data showing high utilization: Stephanie Montgomery said African Americans made up roughly 32% of county mental‑health clients and 22% of substance‑use clients in fiscal 2023, and presenters said full‑service partnership recipients include an outsized portion of Black residents.

Why it matters: County officials framed the Hub as a response to long‑standing disparities. Presenters said prior utilization studies and community steering‑committee work found higher rates of incarceration and long‑term treatment among African American residents, and the Hub is intended to expand culturally congruent care, strengthen referrals to housing and employment programs and improve family and community engagement.

Details and timeline: GSA Director Kimberly Gassaway said the county completed the site acquisition in May 2024 and, after facility assessment, determined it would be more cost‑effective to build a new structure than retrofit the existing one. The proposed new building is estimated at about 17,500 square feet. Gassaway said the county posted an RFQ for a progressive design‑build team on June 1; submittals are due July 29, the award and protest period would follow, and staff expect to return to the Board with a recommended award in October. She estimated design and construction costs (excluding soft costs) at about $23,000,000 and a roughly 24‑month schedule once construction begins.

Operations and funding questions: Supervisors pressed presenters about interim services and how the Hub will coordinate navigation, housing and workforce supports. Dr. Tribble said the Hub is intended as a "spoke and wheel"—a central site linked to other community locations—and that staffing and partner organizations will provide warm handoffs, internships and training. On funding, presenters said the county remains committed to at least $2,000,000 in community‑directed funding that originated in earlier MHSA allocations, but acknowledged programmatic shifts tied to changes such as Prop 1/BHSA and federal eligibility rules.

Community engagement and programming: Officials outlined past and ongoing engagement—listening sessions, key informant interviews, national site visits and partnerships with community organizations—and described planned culturally specific services, family engagement work and training for clinicians on culturally congruent approaches. A public commenter recommended a family advisory board to provide psychoeducation and improve clinician understanding of family contexts for people with serious mental illness.

Next steps: County staff will evaluate procurement submittals, incorporate cultural‑competency criteria into evaluation, and expect to bring a recommended design‑build award to the Board in October. If the procurement and schedule proceed as described, construction would take about two years; staff and supervisors noted the Hub’s operational opening is targeted after construction, with interim services continuing through partnerships.

The Health Committee received the informational update and adjourned. The project remains in planning and procurement; no formal Board action was taken at the July 14 meeting.