Orange County boosts mental health and drug rehab at the new Be Well OC Irvine Campus

(Santa Ana, CA) – The County of Orange Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a Master Services Agreement (MSA) with Mind OC, the 501C3 nonprofit organization which is the fiscal agent for public and private funds to support Be Well OC, on May 21, 2024.

The approval allows Be Well OC to expand its provision of a wide range of critical and comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder services to Orange County residents in collaboration with the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Behavioral Health System.
 
“Orange County is a place where community members can find support, resources, and hope on their journey to mental health wellness. I am grateful we can extend the reach of our County’s Behavioral Health System,” said, Chairman Donald P. Wagner, OC Board of Supervisors, Third District. “Our expanding partnership with the Be Well campuses will provide best-in-class clinical services for mental health and substance use for children, adolescents, adults and families.”
 
Services funded under the MSA that will be provided at Be Well’s Irvine campus include:

• Sobering Center
• Adult Clinically Managed Withdrawal Management
• Adult Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Residential Treatment
• Adult Co-Occurring Residential Treatment
• Adolescent Residential SUD Treatment
• Perinatal SUD Residential Treatment
• Adult Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU)
• Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU)

“Orange County is leading the way in Behavioral Health with the expansion of Be Well OC, co-locating mental health care and substance use disorder services all under one roof — something not yet done in the state,” said Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee, OC Board of Supervisors, Fourth District. “We are breaking down barriers towards accessing mental health services and serving as a model for other counties to build upon.”
 
The Irvine campus, currently under construction and scheduled to open in May 2025, has been supported through a variety of stakeholders and partners. The Board of Supervisors approved $40 million for the construction of the Irvine campus. In addition, $15 million was approved by the CalOptima Health Board of Directors, $37.6 million in Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) grant funding from the State of California (secured by the OC Health Care Agency), $12 million for capital was secured by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, $2 million in Federal dollars was secured by Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46) in the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) omnibus appropriations bill, along with additional investments from MemorialCare, Hoag and Kaiser Permanente. 
 
“In 2015, through the Orange County Board of Supervisors Mental Health Ad Hoc Committee, we reexamined local mental health services, leading to the creation of the first Be Well OC campus in Orange,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, First District. “With this second, substantially larger facility in Irvine, Be Well OC has solidified its place as a public-private partnership model for our state and the rest of the country.”
 
The Be Well OC Irvine campus is located on 22 acres of county-owned property that was deeded to the County of Orange as part of on the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. The long-term vision for the Irvine Campus is to provide a full continuum of mental health, substance use, and wellness services for children, adolescents, families and adults in Orange County, from urgent care to residential treatment to community wellness support.
 
“Orange County has become a leader in transforming behavioral health care,” said Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, Second District. “The new campus in Irvine, developed in partnership between the Orange County Health Care Agency and Mind OC, will help us fulfill our commitment to providing the quality treatment every patient deserves, regardless of their financial circumstances. I am pleased to see the expansion of these services, which will increase accessibility for everyone in need.”
 
The Campus will be developed in three areas, beginning with Area 1 which includes approximately 75,000 square feet of building space to house an array of adult services, including crisis stabilization mental health urgent care, a sobering center, and residential and outpatient programs. The community has been instrumental in identifying the types of services and programs needed to help children, adults and families reach their optimal mental health. 
 
“Hope starts here in Orange County. Our vision for transforming the mental health system of care for South County’s children, youth and families continue to grow at the Be Well Irvine Campus,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Fifth District. “With doors opening next year, residents of all economic levels will soon have access to critical mental health and substance use treatment while offering a place for families to support their loved ones in crisis. This latest expansion of services at the Be Well Irvine Campus proves Orange County’s commitment to fostering health, wellness, and resiliency programs for our community.”  
 
Area 2 is planned for child, youth, and perinatal specialty programming, expanding both residential and outpatient services capacity while supporting the entire family. Area 3 will expand opportunities for community connections by providing space for educational programs and classrooms, centralized support and navigation services, community meetings, faith and culture event space, and youth and senior centers. 
 
“Be Well OC represents systems change that makes mental health care accessible to all,” said Rick Afable, MindOC Board Chair. “We appreciate County of Orange and the OC Health Care Agency leadership and the support of our many public, private, academic and faith-based partners who are part of the Be Well movement. The Board’s approval of the MSA accelerates the expansion of Be Well’s programs and services, building upon the success of those offered at our Orange campus. By incorporating additional mental health and substance use disorder programs tailored for children, adolescents, pregnant women and families, we will continue to change the conversation about mental health and wellness in Orange County and beyond.”
 
In addition to much needed clinical services, the Irvine location will provide wrap-around wellness support to families and the entire community, including a multi-entity health care collective integrating public and private health systems across Orange County with youth and community education and enrichment. Services will be available to all Orange County residents regardless of insurance or ability to pay.
 
“Our Be Well OC collaboration represents yet another crucial step forward in our continuing commitment to comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder services for Orange County residents,” said, Dr. Veronica Kelley, OC Health Care Agency Director. “Partnering to provide a wide range of programs tailored to various age groups and needs, we are fostering a community where support and resources are readily accessible to all.”
 
The Campus’ design is intentional – low density, modern, simple, warm and inviting—creating a sense of dignity, belonging and hope to those seeking help. 
 
ABOUT THE OC HEALTH CARE AGENCY

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is a regional interdisciplinary health jurisdiction and an accredited health department, charged with protecting and promoting individual, family and community health through partnership and coordination of public and private sector resources. HCA Behavioral Health Services’ mission is to prevent substance abuse and/or mental health crisis; when signs are present, to intervene early and appropriately; and when assessments indicate that treatment is required to provide the right type of treatment, at the right place, by the right person/program to help individuals achieve and maintain the highest quality of health and wellness.   Visit www.ochealthinfo.com to learn more about services and resources. 
 
ABOUT BE WELL OC

Be Well OC is a transformative initiative bringing together public, private, academic and faith-based organizations, as well as others, to create a coordinated system of mental health care and support for all Orange County residents. The Be Well OC mental health system, which also includes substance use services, features a world-class mental health and wellness facility in Orange and a robust mobile response program currently operating in seven cities and on UCI’s campus. Be Well OC’s movement spans across all cities of Orange County and a range of needs, from prevention and early intervention to crisis aversion, acute care and recovery. For more information visit bewelloc.org.