San Rafael, CA – The County of Marin has invested in a new psychiatric health facility in Santa Rosa so clients can be closer to families while receiving treatment.
The Sonoma County Healing Center marked its grand opening with a ceremony January 20 and expects to open the doors to its first clients in early February.The Sonoma County Healing Center marked its grand opening with a ceremony January 20 and expects to open the doors to its first clients in early February. It is a 16-room facility at 7440 Los Guilicos Road owned by the County of Sonoma. The County of Marin contributed funding for two of the rooms so adult residents from Marin can receive short-term treatment for mental health issues through Medi-Cal coverage.
The two counties partnered with Kaiser Permanente, Providence St. Joseph Health, and Sutter Health on the project, which was approved by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors in May 2020. The mission was to improve the availability of inpatient psychiatric services and bolster the mental health continuum of care that includes hospital emergency rooms, jails, and crisis stabilization facilities. The new healing center will allow people in crisis to continue to live in their community and receive care rather than traveling to another county to find treatment.
The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was an enthusiastic participant in the project. HHS Director Benita McLarin attended a virtual grand opening of the facility with Dr. Jei Africa, Director of HHS’ Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division.
“The need for additional psychiatric beds in the Bay Area has reached a critical state,” McLarin said, “and we in Marin are especially excited to partner with the County of Sonoma on this important project to establish more opportunity for many people, for years to come, to work toward wellness and recovery close to home. … We look forward to visiting the facility in person in the near future, but we are glad that we haven’t allowed the challenges of the pandemic to stop us from moving forward with this highly anticipated opening.”
“It’s long overdue, and we are so thankful for our county partners who developed and designed this beautiful, peaceful recovery site,” said Tina Rivera, Interim Director of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services (DHS).
Sonoma DHS contracted with Crestwood Behavioral Health to operate the center. The staff will focus on stabilizing clients while providing support to gain self-reliance, build strength, and become independent with structure and support.
Learn more at www.marinhhs.org.