Butte County to get $5.7M to boost youth behavioral health services

OROVILLE — A grant agreement with the state could allow Butte County to bolster its local youth services dramatically.

Behavioral Health Director Scott Kennelly is set to bring an item for approval before the Board of Supervisors at Tuesday’s meeting that would bring in $5,670,951, plus a $469,211 match from the county, ultimately providing capacity for more behavioral health clients via an expansion to the Chico Stepping Stones Facility.

Kennelly

According to the related staff report, once approved, the funding will go toward a new building purchase as well as renovations with the goal of adding 148 new clients as well as 43 new substance use disorder clients.

“The facility expansion will be conducive to individual treatment and groups, enhance services for mothers and children, and for children and youth requiring treatment,” the staff report reads.

The match by the county is currently allocated for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

If approved, the grant agreement will run through June 30, 2027.

The Stepping Stones Perinatal Program provides treatment for both alcohol and drug addiction for pregnant women and women with children. It is overseen by Butte County Behavioral Health.

Other business

Aside from the grant funding, the board will consider and hear the following items:

• The Butte County Sheriff’s Office will provide its annual Military Equipment Use Policy presentation for a renewal of its local ordinance. A second presentation by the BCSO will go over its inmate access policy when working with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

• A budget adjustment of $2.7 million for county facility repairs will be considered by the board, which previously approved $50.7 million in PG&E settlement funds for building infrastructure rehabilitation.

• A series of liens will be considered against five Butte County properties declared to be public nuisances.

The Butte County Board of Supervisors generally meets at 9 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at its chambers located at 25 County Center Drive, Suite 205 in Oroville. Meetings are free and open to the public.