First Drug and Mental Health Treatment Center in Tulare County Gets a Boost: A Milestone for Community Well-Being
In the heart of California’s Central Valley, Tulare County has long grappled with the intertwined challenges of substance abuse and mental health crises. With a population exceeding 480,000, the region faces higher-than-average rates of opioid overdoses, homelessness linked to addiction, and untreated mental illnesses that strain local resources. For years, residents requiring intensive, residential care have been shuttled out of county—away from family support networks and familiar communities—to access treatment elsewhere. This not only exacerbates emotional distress but also burdens the county’s budget with transportation and out-of-area placement costs. But a beacon of hope is emerging on the horizon. On September 19, 2025, groundbreaking developments were announced for the first-ever dedicated drug and mental health treatment center in Tulare County, poised to revolutionize local access to care. Bolstered by additional grant funding, this facility promises to keep healing close to home, marking a pivotal step forward in addressing the county’s behavioral health needs.
The Genesis of the Project: From Vision to Funding Reality
The story of this treatment center begins with Proposition 1, a landmark $6.38 billion bond measure approved by California voters in March 2024. Dubbed the Behavioral Health Services Program, Prop 1 aimed to overhaul the state’s mental health infrastructure by funding new facilities, expanding outpatient services, and creating over 5,000 residential treatment beds statewide. Tulare County, identified as a high-need area due to its rural-urban mix and socioeconomic challenges, was among the first recipients of this transformative funding.
In May 2025, the county secured an initial $11 million grant from the state’s Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Challenge and Innovation Program (BHCIP). This award targeted the development of a residential campus at the former Casa Grande site in Visalia—a sprawling property acquired by the county specifically for behavioral health expansion. The site, once a commercial hub, now represents renewal, with plans to repurpose two of its buildings into a state-of-the-art treatment facility. According to county officials, this initial infusion covered foundational planning, site preparation, and preliminary design work, setting the stage for a center that would specialize in dual-diagnosis treatment—addressing both substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
But the journey didn’t stop there. Fast-forward to September 2025, and the project received a significant “boost” in the form of supplemental grant funding. While exact figures for this latest award remain under negotiation, sources indicate it could add millions more, allowing for expanded capacity and enhanced services. This additional support stems from Round 1 of the BHCIP awards, part of the broader $3.3 billion disbursed earlier in the year to prioritize community-based solutions. Donna Ortiz, Director of Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA), hailed the development as a “game-changer,” stating, “This funding opens doors to build infrastructure that brings severe mental illness treatment right here to our local families, reducing the isolation that comes with out-of-county care.”
Explore more on Proposition 1’s impact.
Why Tulare County Needs This Center Now More Than Ever
Tulare County’s behavioral health landscape is a tale of resilience amid adversity. Agriculture dominates the economy, employing over 40% of the workforce in seasonal labor that often leads to economic instability, family separations, and high stress levels—perfect storm conditions for mental health struggles and substance misuse. Data from the California Department of Public Health reveals that Tulare ranks among the top 10 counties for fentanyl-related overdoses, with rates climbing 25% year-over-year in 2024 alone. Mental health referrals have surged post-pandemic, yet local inpatient beds number fewer than 50, forcing 70% of severe cases to seek treatment in Fresno or Kern Counties.
Under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act—a 1967 law mandating strict client protections and community-based care—Tulare has been compelled to outsource higher-level interventions. Casie Ennis, HHSA’s Deputy Director for Behavioral Health Services, explained the ripple effects: “We’re sending a lot of folks who need intensive care out of county, away from their support systems. This new center will change that, offering residential treatment that’s compliant with LPS standards while keeping families intact.” The facility will include crisis stabilization units, detox beds, and long-term residential programs, all tailored to adults with severe persistent mental illness and substance dependencies.
Moreover, the center aligns with emerging state mandates like CARE Court, a civil court program launching in Tulare by late 2025, which requires enhanced treatment options for individuals with untreated schizophrenia spectrum disorders. It also supports Proposition 47 reforms, the 2024 voter-approved measure that ramps up penalties for repeat drug offenses while mandating counseling access. Without local infrastructure, compliance would be impossible—making this boost not just timely, but essential.
Learn about CARE Court implementation.
Facility Features: A Holistic Approach to Healing
Set to break ground in November 2027, the treatment center will span approximately 50,000 square feet across the repurposed Casa Grande buildings, with potential for phased expansions. Core features include:
- Residential Treatment Wings: 60 beds dedicated to dual-diagnosis care, featuring private and semi-private rooms designed for comfort and privacy. Each wing will incorporate trauma-informed design elements, such as natural light, quiet zones, and access to outdoor green spaces to promote therapeutic environments.
- Detox and Crisis Stabilization: Medically supervised detox units equipped for opioid, alcohol, and polysubstance withdrawal, staffed by round-the-clock nurses and physicians. Adjacent stabilization pods will handle acute psychiatric episodes, reducing the need for emergency room diversions.
- Therapy and Rehabilitation Programs: A multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, therapists, peer counselors, and addiction specialists will deliver evidence-based modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine and naltrexone. Group sessions, family therapy, and vocational rehab will address root causes and reintegration.
- Community Integration Spaces: On-site cafeteria, gym, art studio, and community room for skill-building workshops, yoga, and peer support groups. Telehealth suites will connect residents to specialists beyond Visalia, ensuring continuity of care.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Given Tulare’s 55% Latino population, services will be bilingual, with culturally attuned programming drawing from farmworker experiences and family-centric values.
This holistic model draws inspiration from successful programs like those at Kaweah Health’s Mental Health Hospital, which already provides acute inpatient care but lacks the residential focus. By integrating physical health screenings and nutritional support, the center aims to treat the whole person, reducing relapse rates by up to 40%, per national benchmarks from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Discover SAMHSA’s dual-diagnosis guidelines.
The Broader Impact: Transforming Lives and Communities
The ripple effects of this center extend far beyond its walls. Economically, construction will create 200+ jobs over two years, injecting millions into local vendors for materials and services. Operationally, it will save the county upwards of $5 million annually in out-of-county placements, freeing funds for prevention initiatives like school-based counseling and perinatal substance programs.
On a human level, stories from current HHSA clients underscore the urgency. Take Maria, a 42-year-old farmworker from Porterville who battled meth addiction and postpartum depression. Shuttled to a Fresno facility last year, she endured weeks without family visits, leading to heightened anxiety upon discharge. “I felt like I was starting over alone,” she shared. Facilities like the upcoming center could have kept her grounded, with family involvement boosting recovery odds by 25%, according to studies.
For youth, the center’s emphasis on transitional-age programs (ages 18-25) addresses a critical gap. Tulare’s adolescent overdose rates are double the state average, often tied to untreated trauma from poverty or abuse. By partnering with the Tulare County Office of Education’s Behavioral Health Services, the facility will offer seamless referrals from schools, ensuring early intervention.
Read more on youth mental health in schools.
Challenges Ahead and Pathways to Success
No project of this scale is without hurdles. Zoning approvals for the Casa Grande site, environmental impact assessments, and community buy-in remain key milestones. Local advocacy groups, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Central Valley chapter, have voiced concerns over potential stigma, urging inclusive outreach. HHSA has responded with town halls and partnerships with faith-based organizations to foster acceptance.
Funding sustainability post-grant is another concern. While Prop 1 provides seed money, ongoing operations will rely on Medi-Cal reimbursements, federal block grants, and philanthropic support. Experts recommend a hybrid model blending public funds with private donations, similar to Visalia Recovery Center’s approach, which accepts most insurances for outpatient care.
To ensure equity, the center must prioritize underserved groups: farmworkers, veterans, and LGBTQ+ individuals facing compounded discrimination. Training staff in cultural humility and trauma-informed care will be non-negotiable.
Visit NAMI for advocacy resources.
Voices from the Frontlines: Stakeholders Weigh In
Local leaders are unanimous in their enthusiasm. Supervisor Larry Micari, whose district includes Visalia, called it “a legacy project that honors our agricultural roots by nurturing the hands that feed California.” Behavioral health advocates echo this sentiment. Dr. Elena Ramirez, a Visalia-based psychiatrist, noted, “This isn’t just a building; it’s a lifeline. We’ve lost too many to the shadows of untreated illness.”
Community testimonials flood HHSA’s feedback lines. One anonymous resident wrote, “As someone in recovery, knowing help is coming home changes everything. No more goodbyes to get better.” These voices propel the momentum, reminding all involved of the human stakes.
Looking Forward: A Model for Rural America
Slated for a November 2027 opening, the Tulare County treatment center isn’t just a local win—it’s a blueprint for rural counties nationwide facing similar voids. As climate change intensifies agricultural stresses and the opioid epidemic evolves, scalable models like this one, rooted in community collaboration, offer hope. With its grant-fueled boost, Tulare is proving that targeted investment can bridge gaps, one bed, one therapy session at a time.
For residents seeking immediate help, resources abound: Call the Mental Health Services Access Line at 1-800-320-1616 or the Substance Use Disorder Line at 1-866-732-4114. The road to recovery starts with a single step—and soon, that step will lead right back home.