This post was originally published in the morning edition of September 28th.

The county wants to add hundreds of new community-based behavioral health beds to transform the currently clogged system.

County behavioral health officials Tuesday briefed county supervisors on a plan focused on adding more beds outside hospitals, instead using fewer restrictions such as skilled nursing homes and places called respite centers. The goal is to, over time, reduce the need for expensive emergency services and connect those in need with care that meets their needs at the least restrictive level possible.

Luke Bergman, county director of behavioral health services, said the county and outside contractors estimate that nearly 400 new long-term care beds are needed in the area alone. The recent county shift away from plans to build a behavioral health hub on county-owned land and instead to contracting with prime health care means the county will have fewer facilities such as board-and-care beds and recovery care. Beds for discharged people at county-owned facilities in Hillcrest and Midway. The county is considering a similar model for East County.

The Union-Tribune took a deep dive into the county’s plans. Last week, Lisa Halverstadt explained how a long-standing shortage of long-term care options has been exacerbated by the pandemic, and the state’s new CARE court policy could add more pressure. system.

Bergman said county officials will return to supervisors on Oct. 11 to provide details of the strategy to add behavioral health beds.