Stockton, CA – San Joaquin County leaders joined with State officials and health care providers today to break ground on the SJ BeWell Campus, a new behavioral health care facility that will expand access to care and strengthen the County’s commitment to building a healthier future.

The campus has been under development among County departments for more than two years and is located on 18.6 acres of County-owned land in French Camp near San Joaquin General Hospital. The SJ BeWell Campus will feature two distinct areas, a South Campus and a North Campus.

South Campus

• Community and Outpatient Services building (76,000 sq. ft.)
• Urgent Care Services building with 42 beds (35,250 sq. ft.)
• Residential Treatment Program buildings (two, totaling 132 beds)
• Urgent Care Clinic Operations by SJ Health Centers

North Campus

• Supportive Transitional Housing with 252 beds (150,360 sq. ft)

The four-building campus will provide a full spectrum of behavioral health services, integrating mental health and substance use disorder treatment from outpatient care to residential treatment and crisis stabilization. This range of services in one location will allow individuals to seamlessly transition through various stages of recovery, from crisis intervention to long-term care and outpatient follow-up.

“The SJ BeWell Campus will ensure that San Joaquin County residents can access compassionate, effective care close to home, while also easing the pressure on our hospitals and emergency services,” said Paul Canepa, Chair of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors. “Today we are not just moving dirt, we are moving forward with a vision that puts people first.”

Vice Chair Sonny Dhaliwal stressed equity in care: “The SJ BeWell Campus is about removing barriers to treatment. Every resident, regardless of background, deserves access to behavioral health services. This project will open doors and save lives.”

Supervisor Mario Gardea highlighted the community impact: “Behavioral health touches every family in some way. The SJ BeWell Campus will give our residents real tools and real hope, and it will make our communities healthier and stronger.”

Supervisor Steve Ding reflected on the County’s responsibility and the project’s impact: “By making smart choices, we are spending this money in a way that will improve people’s health and make our communities safer.  We know that we need bold steps to make a difference.  SJ BeWell will change lives, and I am proud to be a part of making it a reality.”

Supervisor Robert Rickman emphasized the long-term benefits: “This is a generational investment. The SJ BeWell Campus is built not only for today’s needs, but for the needs of our children and grandchildren. It is a forward-looking commitment to the health and wellness of our County.”

Genevieve Valentine, Director of San Joaquin County Health Care Services, said the project represents a new chapter in care delivery. “The SJ BeWell Campus is more than buildings; it is a promise to deliver compassionate, innovative care in a setting designed to heal. We are deeply grateful to the Board of Supervisors, our state partners, and our community for making this vision a reality.”

The groundbreaking ceremony included remarks from County and State leaders, a ceremonial shovel turning with 15 participants, and a project video unveiling the design vision.

The total project cost is estimated at $261 million. Site work for construction will begin in early November 2025 with the first building anticipated to be open in July 2027, with the remaining three buildings opening in six-month intervals. The entire campus is projected to be complete and operational in 2029.

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