Board approves Be Well and youth inpatient mental‑health contracts amid public criticism

The Orange County Board of Supervisors on April 23 approved a series of Health Care Agency‑sponsored contracts to advance behavioral‑health infrastructure and inpatient services for children and youth.

Item 12 authorized construction funding and a contract for the Be Well behavioral‑health hub (Irvine campus) with Mind OC; the board then approved related contract actions after extended public comment. Several speakers during the item sharply criticized nonprofit partners and county oversight, alleging inadequate progress, limited transparency and large administrative costs. One commenter said the county has spent “tens of millions” on the organization and urged a halt to contracts until oversight is strengthened.

Health Care Agency Director Dr. Veronica Kelly responded with an overview of project scope and financing: the Irvine campus is intended to serve people with serious mental illness and substance‑use disorders, the county broke ground in October 2023, and the construction budget cited during the meeting was roughly $62 million for building the campus. Kelly said funding is a combination of federal earmarks and state behavioral‑health infrastructure grants and that contractor leadership changes are reflected in staff materials.

Separately, the board approved selection of a provider for a crisis stabilization unit and amended contracts to continue an inpatient mental‑health agreement with Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). Jenna Jensen, CHOC’s vice president for advocacy and public policy, described services at CHOC’s Mental Health Inpatient Center, noting unique capabilities for young children and family visitation policies. Board members pressed for clarity on funding, patient eligibility and parental consent; Dr. Kelly said the contracts cover Medi‑Cal‑eligible and uninsured patients and that parental consent governs admissions for minors.

The board approved the items unanimously. Supervisors signaled a desire for strengthened reporting and oversight measures in follow‑up.

Why it matters: The county is investing in behavioral‑health infrastructure and inpatient capacity amid rising demand for services. Public commenters pressed for more transparency and accountability regarding nonprofit contractors and construction oversight; agency officials said funds come from specific state and federal programs earmarked for behavioral‑health infrastructure.