In August, mold contamination in the air ducts at Sonoma County’s crisis stabilization unit (CSU) forced the CSU’s closure, as mentioned previously, and the necessary repairs could take several months, extending into the new year. This valuable facility’s closure is not only significantly impacting patients who need immediate mental health care, but also placing strain on local emergency departments.
Sonoma County hospital representatives have worked with county officials to begin developing short- and long-term solutions. Hospital Council appreciates Sonoma County Supervisor David Rabbitt’s leadership and commitment to ensuring all patients with behavioral health needs — especially those covered by Medi-Cal — receive equitable, timely services.
Hospital Council is working on long-term projects to help build more capacity for patients:
- In Sonoma County, a public-private partnership model is exploring a multi-license facility to serve the region, similar to a model Orange County has developed.
- In Humboldt County, a behavioral health triage center on the Mad River Community Hospital campus will be constructed thanks to the successful behavioral health continuum infrastructure planning application project initially led by Hospital Council in 2021.
- In Lake County, which currently lacks CSU services, stakeholders are beginning to discuss blending public and private interests and explore launching a CSU on a hospital campus.
- In Sacramento County, collaborative sessions among Hospital Council, Sacramento County leadership, hospitals, and community stakeholders (including emergency medical services) are discussing the implementation of Senate Bill 43 (2023), which expands the definition of the term “gravely disabled.”
Hospital Council remains committed to accelerating behavioral health collaborations across the region, working tirelessly to create long-term solutions that will support both our member hospitals and the communities they serve. Our efforts are focused not just on addressing the immediate crisis in Sonoma County, but also on building sustainable infrastructures that ensure every patient has access to the right care at the right time.