Substance use recovery services are set to expand in San Bernardino County, following the Board of Supervisors’ unanimous approval Tuesday of more than $15.8 million in state funding for more recovery housing in Victorville.
The Comprehensive Treatment Campus, formerly the Saint John of God Campus at 13333 Palmdale Road, is set to add 52 recovery residence beds. The county Behavioral Health Department operates the facility.
Officials said the expansion aims to “provide safe, sober housing for individuals transitioning from residential substance use disorder treatment to outpatient care in the High Desert, supporting long-term recovery and reintegration into the community.”
Funding is from to grants — $10.5 million from the California Department of Social Services’ Community Care Expansion – Capital Expansion program and $5.3 million in “2011 Realignment funds” mandated by state law, documents show. Of the 52 forthcoming beds, 40 will be dedicated to individuals served through the CCE program.
“The program’s goal is to provide a stable environment for individuals and families while supporting adults in securing permanent housing and reestablishing independence through educational resources and employment assistance,” according to a county staff report.
The Behavioral Health Department secured the CCE grant in March 2023 effective through June 30, 2027, to support the facility expansion.
On Jan. 24, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved the Purchase and Sale Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions for the acquisition of the nearly 29.5-acre Palmdale Road property, which has nine single-story buildings totaling about 17,770 square feet. On Dec. 29, 2023, the county closed escrow through the Chicago Title Company and fully acquired the land.
In May 2024, the county received an increased award by $421,867, according to the report.
“This grant allows DBH to develop and strengthen its existing (substance use disorder) network of care with the goal of increasing access to behavioral health services,” the report states. “It supports the localization and expansion of available treatment infrastructure for SUD residential treatment, SUD outpatient, recovery center, and recovery residence services. Maintaining a robust infrastructure remains a priority for the County, especially given its geographical size, the volume and complexity of consumer needs, in addition to the capital improvement resources required to construct and design facilities and services on such a large scale.”
The Capital Improvement Project recommended for approval addresses the CCE portion of the expansion. The county Project and Facilities Management Department will manage the expansion construction project, which officials expect “will result in a safe and sober living environment for individuals participating in the treatment programs offered at the expanded facility.”
A county environmental report released last month said the full scope of the nearly $64 million Comprehensive Treatment Campus project would develop the site with a total of 144 additional beds.
The proposed project calls for a 36-bed adult residential treatment facility; a 24-bed adult withdrawal management building; one outpatient building with three group rooms, offices, nurses station, examination room, commercial kitchen and reception; adolescent and psychiatric residential treatment facilities with 32 beds, restroom facilities, staff offices, group rooms, therapy rooms, a psychiatrist office, an exam room, medicine room, nurse station, dining room, living/game room, conference rooms and a family visiting room; along with a wellness center containing a basketball court, commercial kitchen, group room, arts-and-crafts room, multipurpose room and office space. The 52-bed state-funded expansion will be in the facility’s “Recovery Residences Building,” according to the report.
The Saint John of God campus closed in 2023 after the county acquired the property.
Information on the county’s Behavioral Health services and facilities in available online at wp.sbcounty.gov/dbh.
