Madera County Behavioral Health Services (MCBHS) announced Wednesday it has been conditionally selected to receive nearly $25 million from a California Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program grant for the Madera County Youth/Adult Crisis Stabilization Unit & the Adult Sobering Center project.

MCBHS is one of 30 recipients of the grant.

“Madera County Behavioral Health Services strives to be at the forefront of preventive and recovery care from mental illness and substance abuse.” said Connie Moreno-Peraza, MCBHS director.

The Department of Health Care Services received a total of 118 applications for the $430 million in funding from Round 5: Crisis and Behavioral Health Continuum. The San Joaquin Valley had five awards, including projects in Fresno, Madera, Kern, San Joaquin and Tulare counties. The money was allocated to assess and identify gaps in crisis and continuum of care services to reduce emergency department visits, hospitalizations and incarcerations throughout the state.

MCBHS also received nearly $3 million for the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) Program, which aims to assist individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness and may have serious behavioral health conditions that prevents them from accessing help to transition out of homelessness.

MCBHS representatives said they are honored to receive close to $30 million in state behavioral health grants, among others, over the last two years.

The state Department of Health Care Services awarded more than $900 million in Behavioral Health Bridge Housing funding to county behavioral health agencies across California. Projects awarded funding include tiny homes, interim housing, rental assistance models and assisted living. 

“As part of our efforts to reduce homelessness in Madera County, the Department of Behavioral Health Services (DBHS) is committed to use these Bridge Housing funds to increase access to a “One Stop Shop” with a multitude of behavioral health services 24/ 7 weekly, 365 days per year. DBHS is a key player in the Housing the Homeless Committee of Madera County which focused on identifying solutions and implementing strategies that help prevent homelessness. Bridge Housing funds will serve as a solution to the homeless problem” said Connie Moreno-Peraza, MCBHS Director.

MCBHS will use the Bridge Housing allocation to lease 20 housing units for eligible single adults and families within local jurisdictions for a period of four years. The housing units will be leased to meet the needs of the BHP participants at risk of homelessness or are currently homeless; and are able to remain in the units from six to 12 months depending on their care plan.