Mental Health Crisis: County Ends Arrangement with Be Well for Wellness Campus

Mental health and wellness services in Orange County are facing a significant change as the county has decided to end its arrangement with Be Well, the nonprofit managing the Mental Health and Wellness campus in Orange. This decision came after an audit revealed deficiencies in billing and training practices at the facility. Representatives for Be Well assert that they had addressed many of these issues and were caught off guard by the funding withdrawal.

The Mental Health and Wellness campus was established to provide critical services to the region's homeless population and those in need of mental health and substance abuse treatment. Since its inception in 2021, the facility received substantial backing, including a $16.6 million commitment from the Orange County Board of Supervisors, additional funding from CalOptima, and local hospitals. This financial support was aimed at reducing emergency room congestion by providing necessary mental health resources.

However, the audit, conducted in July, indicated problems with how staff training, credentials, and quality management were monitored at the Orange campus. Concerns were also raised regarding the potential for inaccuracies in billing practices. As the county seeks alternatives to continue providing essential mental health services, the future of the campus remains uncertain.