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IHS breaks ground for new Youth Regional Treatment Center in California
The Indian Health Service, in consultation with the 104 federally-recognized tribes of California, held a ceremonial groundbreaking today for a new Youth Regional Treatment Center in Davis, California. The Sacred Oaks Healing Center will provide culturally appropriate substance use disorder services to American Indian and Alaska Native youth ages 12 to 17.
“Today, IHS is pleased to begin construction on this youth regional treatment center that will serve American Indian and Alaska Native youth in California,” said the IHS Acting Director, Rear Adm. Michael D. Weahkee. “Sacred Oaks demonstrates our commitment to our American Indian and Alaska Native youth and families by offering culturally-centered, evidence-based, individualized behavioral health services.”
The facility is expected to open in 2020. It will be the second IHS Youth Regional Treatment Center in California; the Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center opened in Hemet in 2017. Previously, most of California’s Native American youth who receive residential chemical dependency treatment were sent out-of-state to non-IHS or non-tribal facilities that do not always meet the unique cultural needs of Native American youth.
“The two Youth Regional Treatment Centers in California are important parts of our efforts to help thousands of Native American youth in California who need residential care, “ said IHS California Area Director Beverly Miller, MHA, MBA. “These centers will provide mental health care professionals, medical providers, and traditional healers who will work in concert to treat the whole person.”
The centers will provide comprehensive and holistic care, including:
- Mental health assessments, health care services, and individualized treatment plans
- Structured chemical dependency programs (e.g., 12-step programs)
- Individual, group, and family therapy
- Academic education
- Vocational and life-skills training
- Activities to meet the spiritual and cultural needs of Native American youth
The Sacred Oaks Healing Center in Davis will be approximately 35,000 square feet and include three buildings with 32 beds and five family suites. It will employ 70 full-time employees. Interior features will include classrooms, computer lab, art room, a commercial kitchen, dining area, cultural space, exam rooms, employee offices, an indoor half-court gymnasium, and a weight room. Exterior features will include an outdoor basketball court and walking trails.
IHS will also make road improvements to County Road 31 in conjunction with the project, including construction of a left-turn lane and right-turn taper. “We are pleased to be able to work in partnership with the Yolo County Board of Supervisors to address concerns about road safety. The safety of our patients, staff, and the public are important to us,” Miller said.
The IHS currently funds 12 Youth Regional Treatment Centers nationally. IHS operates five of the centers and contracts with tribes to operate seven of the centers.
The California Area Indian Health Service provides the IHS healthcare delivery system to the State of California, the home of the largest population of American Indians and Alaska Natives in the country.
The IHS, an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives. Follow IHS on Facebook and Twitter.
