San Joaquin County is moving ahead with the first phase of its $261.8 million Be Well behavioral health campus in French Camp following unanimous approval by the Board of Supervisors this week to fund the project and award a design-build contract.
The board authorized a $1.675 million agreement with Herrero-McGuire Hester (HMH), a joint venture based in Oakland, to provide validation services for the multi-year project aimed at reshaping mental health care in the region.
“We’re building a system of care that will address the behavioral health and substance use challenges our residents face, reduce homelessness, and offer long-term recovery options right here at home,” District 2 Supervisor and board chair Paul Canepa said at the Tuesday meeting.
The vote followed the board’s approval of an application in November for a $137.5 million Proposition 1 grant through the state’s Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program. That application marked the formal launch of the Be Well project, envisioned as a comprehensive care campus offering physical and behavioral health services in a secure, therapeutic environment.
The need for the facility is rooted in staggering local health data.
“Sixty percent of emergency room visits in our county are tied to acute substance use disorder,” said Genevieve Valentine, director of the San Joaquin County Health Care Services Agency.
The campus plan includes four buildings and 178 beds, covering outpatient, urgent care and residential treatment services. The proposed Be Well facility will be located on 20.1 acres of county-owned land in French Camp.
The contract approved this week covers validation services and pre-construction work. A full design-build agreement is expected to come before the board in June 2025.
Funding sources and permitting milestones
The first phase of the project includes construction, design, permitting, inspections, and contingency costs. The county has secured $66.3 million in confirmed funding from sources including the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program, state budget allocations, opioid settlement funds, and health care partnerships such as the Health Plan of San Joaquin and Sutter Health, as explained by San Joaquin County’s General Services Department.
An additional $232 million in potential funding has been identified, including a $137.5 million Proposition 1 grant expected to be announced next month. If all funding is secured, the project will move forward as planned. If not, some components such as the campus’ outpatient services center may be delayed.
The environmental review and final construction documents are expected to be completed during the 2025-26 fiscal year. Construction is projected to begin in September and finish by July 2027.
In addition to construction activities, the board has approved public events to mark key milestones, including a groundbreaking ceremony and a future facility dedication.