New Mental Health Treatment Center Opens In San Jose

SAN JOSE, CA — Santa Clara County on Tuesday celebrated the completion of a new residential treatment center for people experiencing serious mental illness. The newly renovated site replaces a former detox facility across the street from the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose.

It is now home to 28 beds that will serve people with significant mental health needs, helping them make the transition from acute care to independent living.

"Twenty months ago, we made a call to action to treat and alleviate the ongoing mental health and substance use crisis in the county," said Susan Ellenberg, president of the Board of Supervisors. "Since then, we have greatly increased funding to add treatment beds for mental health and detox services, launched the comprehensive 988 hotline with mobile response teams., broken ground on a new adult and adolescent psychiatric hospital, and now we're opening a place to help steer people back to independent living."

The county began renovations at the existing building late last year, and officials said the project cost about $1.8 million. Providing 24/7 care at the facility is expected to cost $2.8 million annually. The new facility is meant to serve as a "middle ground' for people who no longer need the highest level of care but still have specialized needs that keep them from living alone, officials said.

Nurses will be available at all times for one-on-one care, and people needing to stay longer can remain for up to two years.

"People with serious mental health liabilities — particularly those on social security or fixed, limited incomes — face many challenges in finding a place to live," said Therri Terao, director of Behavioral Health Services. "This new treatment center is an important part of the county's care system, allowing clients to live in the least restrictive community setting while avoiding lengthy stays in costlier inpatient psychiatric hospitals or mental rehabilitation centers."

Beyond direct medical care, the treatment center will provide each resident with healthy meals, housekeeping, launch, transportation and other activities designed to develop skills and help people on the road to self-sufficiency, the county said. Residents will also have access to grooming and hygiene support and other clinical services.

Here are a few things the program is designed to provide:

• A safe, supportive, supervised environment that feels like home, with wellness groups and evidence-based practices for adults who can benefit from less restrictive settings.
• On-site services that promote recovery, reducing the length of hospitalization and increasing the number of eligible residents who can go on to independent living. This includes psychiatric services and case management, addiction treatment services, medication assistance and other support.
• Individual, family, and group treatment for mental health and co-occurring disorders.
• Safe opportunities to increase family and social reintegration with social supports nearby.
• Discharge planning – including linkage to outpatient services – will be available to help residents transition to lower levels of care when they meet their goals for independent living.

"When I got involved in this project at the end of last year, there were still a number of hurdles in the way of opening day," said Supervisor Otto Lee. "But I knew that this type of facility was needed as fast as possible, and by working closely with the county's health and hospital system, we were able to expedite the process and bring this vital project to completion."