REDDING, Calif. — The State of California recently announced $1.18 billion in awards through the final round of the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program, bringing the total investment to approximately $6 billion since 2021. However, the True North Behavioral Health Campus, a proposed $206 million project in Shasta County, was not selected for funding despite a 16-month effort to secure support.
According to Arch Collaborative, the proposed True North Campus aimed to provide comprehensive behavioral health services, including crisis stabilization and coordinated care, in a region where access is limited. Despite widespread support from 12 counties and 69 letters of endorsement, the project was not selected for funding.
“I am disappointed in the state’s decision not to fund the True North Campus,” said Kimberly Johnson, CEO of Arch Collaborative. She acknowledged that while the decision is understandable given political and logistical complexities, the need for such infrastructure remains.
Eric Kim of Signature Healthcare, a partner in the project, emphasized the importance of addressing gaps in behavioral health access in rural Northern California. “Without BHCIP funding, the True North Campus cannot move forward as envisioned,” Kim said. “But Signature is committed to expanding access to care in underserved communities, and we will continue to explore what is possible.”
While the proposal did not receive funding, the coalition remains determined to address the growing needs in rural Northern California. “The people of this region showed up with unprecedented unity. They deserve solutions that match their courage,” Johnson said.
Previous reporting:
Health and Human Services Director Christy Coleman has shifted her stance on the proposed True North Behavioral Health Campus, offering a conditional letter of support to Arch Collaborative, Signature Healthcare, and other stakeholders.
The proposal has received more than 50 letters of support from organizations and community leaders. The True North Campus is expected to create about 200 new local health-care jobs.
Tensions are rising in Shasta County over the future of a proposed mental health and addiction treatment facility. The Shasta County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 against the “True North Behavioral Health Campus,” but hundreds of residents and advocates are not backing down.
Signature Healthcare and Arch Collaborative plan to continue working with local, regional, and state partners to secure the necessary support and reduce risk exposure. Final award decisions are expected in spring 2026.
The Shasta County Board of Supervisors is holding a special meeting Friday to discussd the proposal.
The proposal will be submitted under the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), a funding opportunity established by Proposition 1, which California voters approved in 2024.