The California Department of Health Care Services recently announced awards in excess of $32 million for Kern County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services (KernBHRS) as part of the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCHIP) Round 5: Crisis and Behavioral Health Continuum Grants and the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) Program.



“This is outstanding news for Kern County,” says Stacy Kuwahara, Director of KernBRHS. “These resources will support infrastructure needed for youth experiencing mental health crises and in the work we are doing to house mentally ill and substance abuse individuals.”



The funds will help build a new Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit and Family Resource Center Project, which will house vital crisis services operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Kern County youth and families. Additionally, funds will help support five key areas that have been identified as gaps in the housing continuum for individuals with serious mental health issues that are homeless or at significant risk of becoming homeless. The funding will also include a partnership with the Kern County Housing Authority to convert an existing motel to a facility that supports bridge housing for 40 clients. It will also allow for KernBHRS clinicians to provide onsite services. The motel site has not been determined. The Department of Health Care Services provides funding to county behavioral health agencies and Tribal entities through June 30, 2027.