VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) — Kaweah Health is set to break ground this week on a new child and adolescent mental health expansion aimed at addressing growing needs in Tulare County.<\/p>\n
The child and adolescent wing will add 22 beds to the current adult mental health hospital. These beds will be specifically for children under 18.<\/p>\n
Currently, children requiring inpatient mental health care must travel hours outside the county for treatment.<\/p>\n
“Tulare County, the Valley, just like the rest of the country, we’ve been struggling with a mental health crisis for a long time,” said Marc Mertz, Kaweah Health’s chief executive officer.<\/p>\n
The expansion is intended to allow young patients to receive care closer to home in Visalia.<\/p>\n
Health officials say the facility will focus on early intervention and long-term outcomes.<\/p>\n
“By opening up a facility here to help these patients, we can provide early intervention, reduce psychiatric crises and overall improve long-term outcomes for these patients and their families,” said Dr. Karanbir Randhawa, a Kaweah Health psychiatrist.<\/p>\n
The estimated $13 million project has been in development for years.<\/p>\n
Kaweah Health received a California state grant in 2022 for just under $9 million to support construction.<\/p>\n
“In terms of services, provide immediate stabilization, education regarding symptoms and diagnoses, provide treatment options, including therapy, as well as psychotropic medications, family education,” Dr. Randhawa said.<\/p>\n
The new facility will be built adjacent to the current adult mental health hospital, but will operate separately.<\/p>\n
Staff ensure there will not be interaction between adult and younger patients.<\/p>\n
Hospital leaders say the expansion could also help relieve pressure on other community systems.<\/p>\n
“It can also help decrease emergency room overcrowding and take some of the strain off of law enforcement and school systems,” Dr. Randhawa said.<\/p>\n
In addition to expanding care, the project is expected to bring economic benefits to the region through job creation.<\/p>\n
“We’re estimating at least 30 new positions will be created as part of this expansion,” Mertz said.<\/p>\n
Construction is scheduled to begin following the groundbreaking, with completion expected in 2028.<\/p>\n
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