EL CENTRO — The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved a budget amendment resolution on Tuesday, Feb. 10, of more than $22,000,000 to remodel the old courthouse in Brawley, expanding access to behavioral health services in Imperial County. This action comes from a postponed agenda item from the previous board meetings, where there was much discussion both for and against the resolution.
Imperial County Behavioral Health Services Director Leticia Plancarte-Garcia reminded supervisors that there is no impact to the County’s general fund, as the more than $22,000,000 is covered by the Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) grant funds. The 10% match that is required will be covered through the property value and the Healthcare Infrastructure Development Matching Grant. The matching grant was conditionally awarded by the California Medical Services Program.
The updated location will provide services, including assessments, individual and group therapy, medication support services, targeted case management, crisis intervention, crisis stabilization, and referral and coordination to inpatient treatment.
The BHCIP Round 1: Launch Ready program is a state-administered capital fund initiative that was established through the Behavioral Health Services Bond Act, which was approved by California voters. The program is designed to expand, renovate, and modernize infrastructure to address the treatment shortages experienced by behavioral health agencies across the state. This phase of the program focuses on “launch-ready” projects that have already completed the preliminary planning and can move forward with construction.
The old courthouse in Brawley, located at 220 East Main Street, was identified as being a “launch-ready” location and qualifies for the program. Plancarte-Garcia reminded the Board and public in attendance that Imperial County residents face a unique set of challenges due to geographic isolation and high needs to address behavioral health issues in the community. She said this project will specifically address concerns related to high rates of overdose emergency hospitalizations and death locally. She also said the substance use disorder and behavioral health services in Imperial County need to be expanded to reach patients in the north-end.
Several speakers were in attendance to share their testimony regarding personal struggles with addiction and the impact addiction had on their families.
Norman Chandler is a local resident who works with Turning Point men’s home. He spoke about his son’s struggles with addiction. Chandler said his son was connected with behavioral health services while living in Riverside County.
“I was amazed at the change in his life,” said Chandler.
Unfortunately, Chandler said his son spiraled after discontinuing his medication. After being unable to get back onto his medication, he turned to the streets to purchase pills that were unknowingly laced with fentanyl. This led to his overdose and death on Christmas Eve of 2022.
“I just know there’s other folks out there like my son that has fallen through the cracks,” he said. “We have a lot of great resources in our community. This is a tool. Our programs are tools, and I hope we can work together in the future.”