California Governor Gavin Newsom has agreed to disperse $480.5 million between 54 different projects to help improve youth mental health programs throughout the state.
The largest grant of $57.4 million will go to Los Angeles' Kedren South Psychiatric Acute Care Hospital and Children's Village to build a 36-bed acute care psychiatric hospital.
"We're overhauling our mental health system to connect young Californians with the care and support they need," Mr. Newsom said in a Dec. 7 news release from his office. "Too many Californians are struggling with mental illness and substance abuse. This funding will support critical mental health and substance use disorder treatment facilities that have committed to serving the diverse range of children and youth covered by Medi-Cal."
The grants will go toward community wellness programs, youth prevention centers, substance abuse outpatient treatment, school health centers and outpatient community mental health clinics.