New crisis, sobering center breaks ground

Madera County took another powerful step toward improving lives and public safety with the groundbreaking of the new state-of-the-art Crisis Stabilization and Sobering Center.

The center in Madera will support thousands of residents battling mental health and addiction crises, county officials said.

The 17,000-square-foot facility will provide care for adults and youth who do not require hospitalization or involvement with the justice system, offering a more appropriate and com passionate alternative for care.

New construction is set to begin next year on the site where the old Behavioral Health building was located near Madera County Animal Services and the jail.

The $27 million project is 90 percent funded by the state after the county was successful in securing a $24.9 million grant from the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program.

The facility will have dedicated mental health meeting rooms and beds for adults and youth serving up to 16 clients per day and another 10 rooms with beds serving clients battling addiction.

Additionally, this facility will play a critical role in early intervention for children, helping guide them toward healthier, more positive outcomes.

Wielding shovels at the groundbreaking were Madera County Supervisors Jordan Wamhoff, David Rogers, Robert Poythress, Leticia Gonzalez and Bobby Macaulay.

Also participating were County Administrative Officer Matt Trener, Acting Director of Behavioral Health Services Art Galindo, Director of Public Health Sara Bosse and Grants Officer Tristan Shamp.

Present from the California Department of Health Care Services was Mark Faucette along with Kitchell Senior Project Manager Jorge Mendoza, Quiring General VP Jim Kennedy and Boulder & Associates Lead Architech Martin Saet.

“This is about meeting people where they are with care and dignity,” said Supervisor Leticia Gonzalez said. “It’s a step toward a stronger, more responsive behavioral health system for our community.”