An artist's rendering shows what a behavioral health hospital will look like on the Valley Children's Hospital campus. Photo via Valley Children's Healthcare

Valley Children’s Healthcare has launched a new partnership to address psychiatric wellness in the region.

Todd Suntrapak, president and CEO of Valley Children’s, announced on Wednesday morning that Universal Health Services will be partnering to construct and operate a new behavioral health facility on the flagship campus in Madera.

This 81,600-square-foot, 128-bed behavioral health hospital will include a unit of 24 beds dedicated specifically to pediatric psychiatric care, treatment, services and educational needs, assisting Valley Children’s in addressing the needs of patients presenting to the emergency department. Additional units will serve adults and seniors.

The new hospital is expected to employ more than 250 clinicians, nurses, mental health technicians, support staff and administrators.

“There is hardly a day that goes by that I don’t get a question from a parent, a health care provider, or a community member in search of behavioral health care for their kids — and in particular— behavioral health care that is right here in the Valley,” Suntrapak said. “The behavioral health care needs of our children and families are significant and this new facility will provide our Valley with new resources closer to home.”

Construction of the new hospital is expected to begin next year, with an opening estimated for 2022.

“We are proud to celebrate this new partnership with Valley Children’s,” said Bob Deney, senior vice president for Universal Health Services’ Behavioral Health Division. “Our mutual goal is to always provide patients and their loved ones with high-quality, compassionate services and support.”

Valley Children’s and UHS will also begin work on a psychiatry residency program, as well as telepsychology services for children served by the Valley Children’s network of care.