The All In SJC newsletter is about communicating actions, ideas, policy,
research and stories about people who have been impacted by homelessness.
Making Mental Health a Priority
to Prevent Homelessness
May Recap—Mental Health Awareness Month
Behavioral Health Services (BHS) is investing in the care of adult mental health.
Written by Hilary Crowley — San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services
In the spring of 2023, two 16-bed modulars will be open and operational for justice involved, dual-diagnosed adult men and women age 18 and older.

The purpose of the program is to facilitate a safe and timely transition from a higher level care facility to a community home-like setting to complete their healing and recovery.

Adult residential treatment services are rehabilitative services for individuals who would be at risk of hospitalization or other institutional placement if they were not in a residential treatment program. One modular will be for adult males and the other for adult females ages 18 and older with serious and persistent mental illness.

Participants may suffer from psychosis with moderate to severe impairment in general social functioning and in activities of daily living. Participants will have a diagnosis of a co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder and may also have experienced long periods of homelessness prior to enrollment.

Referrals will come from BHS criminal justice partners that include Law Enforcement Agencies, Correctional Health Services, the District Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, the Probation Department, and the Collaborative Court System.

Grant funding from the California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA) underwrote the construction, modular procurement, and furnishings for the facilities. Services will be funded through the Mental Health Services Act. The modulars will be located in French Camp and program participants may stay for up to six months.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health concern, contact the 24/7 BHS Crisis Line at 209-468-8686 or the consumer supported Warm Line at 209-468-3585.
Behavioral Health Services Director
Tony Vartan, MSW, LCSW
Behavioral Health Services (BHS) provides moderate to serious mental health and substance use disorder services to the County’s Medi-Cal eligible populations.

It provides integrated mental health services to children and adolescents with a serious emotional disturbance and to adults and older adults with moderate to serious mental illness through inpatient and outpatient services.

BHS also provides residential alcohol and other drug treatment and prevention services.

Headlines
San Joaquin County BHS broke ground on Sonora Square
Sonora Square will provide 37 units of permanent supportive housing for the exclusive use of BHS clients who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
2022 San Joaquin County Housing Needs Report is now available "2022 San Joaquin County Housing Needs Report prepared by the California Housing Partnership. This report includes up to date information regarding housing affordability and tax credit production in San Joaquin County. You can find reports from previous years and for other California counties here."
2020–2021 Continuum of Care Impact Report "The San Joaquin CoC Board hopes that this 2020–2021 Impact Report: will provide a robust overview of accomplishments and a blueprint for continuing this essential progress."
Recent $6m grant for suicide prevention, SUD screenings, etc. that will serve 13 school districts and 144k students In January 2022, San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services and the San Joaquin County Office of Education successfully applied to the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commissions's Mental Health Student Services Act for
$6 million.
16-bed emergency shelter for adult males experiencing homelessness who have a serious mental illness coming in 2023.— San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services was awarded grant funding for a 16-bed emergency shelter to house chronically homeless male adults with a serious mental illness who may also have a co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD).
Tracy Temporary Housing Facility GroundbreakingThis project supports the City Council's Strategic Plan to End and Prevent Homelessness by addressing housing issues and bolstering support services to those experiencing homelessness in Tracy. Click here for more information on the City of Tracy’s homelessness initiatives.
Resources & Service Spotlights
211 San Joaquin Call Center 2021 Annual Report is available!
City by City Updates
TRACY
  • Groundwork is underway for the City of Tracy’s Temporary Emergency Housing Facility, including the excavation, placement and compaction of 4,000 cubic yards of soil to provide stable subgrade conditions for structures and to grade the site for upcoming improvements.
  • View recent aerial footage of the project site:
LODI
  • Access Center – The City continues to move forward diligently with the programming and spacial design of the Access Center. The City is including members from the Lodi Committee on Homelessness, social service providers, County, non-profits, as well as City staff in their programming subcommittee to ensure that they capture the key needs of those experiencing homelessness in Lodi and best practices on how to address those needs.
STOCKTON
  • 2021 saw a wave of activity from the City to prevent and address homelessness. In partnership with El Concilio, 211 San Joaquin, local chambers of commerce and other local non-profit organization, the City of Stockton distributed $40 million in emergency rental assistance funds to help more than 5,000 families stay safe and stable in their homes despite economic hardships brought about by the pandemic.
  • In partnership with San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services, the Housing Authority County of San Joaquin (HACSJ) has commenced construction of 37 units of permanent support housing for individuals experiencing homelessness, chronic homelessness, at risk of chronic homelessness, or with a diagnosed mental illness. Construction commenced in April 2022 and will be completed by September 2023.
  • HACSJ and BHS were awarded Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) in September 2021, were awarded nearly $2.1 million in non-competitive No Place Like Home funds, and $456,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds from the City of Stockton. The Housing Authority is providing Housing Choice Project-Based Voucher rental assistance for the 37 units and BHS will provide supportive services to residents.
  • The City of Stockton is proud to partner on this project, which will provide critical housing and support services to our most vulnerable populations.
  • The Clean City Initiative provides several free community recycling events and city-wide clean-up events throughout the year, mitigating illegal dumping and removing thousands of tons of trash each year.
MANTECA
  • The City of Manteca is exploring strategic capital options for a permanent shelter facility.
  • Manteca is actively supported by regional nonprofit agencies like Hope Ministries, Interfaith Ministries, LOVE, Inc., and partnerships with county agencies and the City such as the Manteca Police Department
Partners
Kristen Birtwhistle
United Way of San Joaquin County
Alex McBride
United Way of San Joaquin County
Rebecca Ray
Family Resource & Referral Center
All In SJC is Sponsored by
All In Project SJC Editorial Board: 
Betty Wilson
Business Council

Dana Sovinec
Mayor of Stockton’s Office

Jennifer Rhyne
City of Lodi

Joan Singson
San Joaquin County Clinics
Hilary Crowly
San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services

Kayce Rane
San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office

Melinda Ramirez
SJC Continuum of Care Board Member
Marie Sanchez
Kaiser Permanente

Tammy Shaff
Dignity Health

Toni McNeil
Faith in the Valley
San Joaquin 

Zuleima Flores-Abid
United Way of SJC
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