VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) — Kaweah Health is set to break ground this week on a new child and adolescent mental health expansion aimed at addressing growing needs in Tulare County.
The child and adolescent wing will add 22 beds to the current adult mental health hospital. These beds will be specifically for children under 18.
Currently, children requiring inpatient mental health care must travel hours outside the county for treatment.
“Tulare County, the Valley, just like the rest of the country, we’ve been struggling with a mental health crisis for a long time,” said Marc Mertz, Kaweah Health’s chief executive officer.
The expansion is intended to allow young patients to receive care closer to home in Visalia.
Health officials say the facility will focus on early intervention and long-term outcomes.
“By opening up a facility here to help these patients, we can provide early intervention, reduce psychiatric crises and overall improve long-term outcomes for these patients and their families,” said Dr. Karanbir Randhawa, a Kaweah Health psychiatrist.
The estimated $13 million project has been in development for years.
Kaweah Health received a California state grant in 2022 for just under $9 million to support construction.
“In terms of services, provide immediate stabilization, education regarding symptoms and diagnoses, provide treatment options, including therapy, as well as psychotropic medications, family education,” Dr. Randhawa said.
The new facility will be built adjacent to the current adult mental health hospital, but will operate separately.
Staff ensure there will not be interaction between adult and younger patients.
Hospital leaders say the expansion could also help relieve pressure on other community systems.
“It can also help decrease emergency room overcrowding and take some of the strain off of law enforcement and school systems,” Dr. Randhawa said.
In addition to expanding care, the project is expected to bring economic benefits to the region through job creation.
“We’re estimating at least 30 new positions will be created as part of this expansion,” Mertz said.
Construction is scheduled to begin following the groundbreaking, with completion expected in 2028.
For news updates, follow Danyelle Burke North on Instagram and TikTok.
Copyright © 2026 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.