COUNTY NEWS YOU CAN USE

November 20, 2025

San Diego County is taking multiple steps to address behavioral health and food insecurity challenges facing its residents. The county plans to construct a $210 million Behavioral Health Wellness Campus in the Midway District that would consolidate mental health and addiction services to serve over 20,000 people annually. In response to federal funding cuts threatening food assistance programs, the Prebys Foundation partnered with major food banks to provide $3 million in emergency funding to maintain the food security network.

Who is affected

More than 20,000 people annually who will use the Behavioral Health Wellness Campus, including veterans, adults, and justice-involved residents
Approximately 400,000 San Diego County residents who receive CalFresh benefits
Hundreds of thousands of San Diegans at risk of losing food assistance due to federal cuts
Small farmers whose livelihoods are jeopardized by the loss of federal food benefits
Residents who may lose Medi-Cal, CalFresh, or other essential benefits due to federal policy changes
Local food relief organizations on the frontlines of hunger relief

What action is being taken

Full November CalFresh/SNAP benefits are being loaded onto EBT cards for San Diego beneficiaries
The Prebys Foundation, in partnership with Feeding San Diego and the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, is providing $3 million in emergency funding (two grants of $1.5 million each) to expand emergency food distribution and support local farms
County staff is working to report back within 45 days with preliminary findings on the Safety Net Bridge Program

Why it matters

This matters because San Diego County faces significant threats to its social safety net, with projected losses of over $300 million annually in government funding, including approximately $200 million in CalFresh costs or cuts. The loss of federal food benefits deepens food insecurity for hundreds of thousands of residents and removes $260 million from the local economy. The Behavioral Health Wellness Campus represents a critical shift from a fragmented mental health system to coordinated, whole-person care for vulnerable populations. The emergency measures being taken help maintain essential services during a period of federal uncertainty and protect both residents' access to basic needs and the infrastructure that supports them.

What's next

San Diego County is seeking up to $100 million in state funding through Proposition 1 to support construction of the Behavioral Health Wellness Campus
Remaining CalFresh benefits will be issued as regularly scheduled through November tenth
County staff will report back within 45 days with preliminary findings on the Safety Net Bridge Program, followed by an implementation plan outlining costs and funding sources to launch the program
Legal cases regarding CalFresh benefits remain ongoing, with the County planning to provide more information as it becomes available

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint