PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 26, 2025
UPDATE: Since this release was issued, Shasta County Supervisor Chris Kelstrom and Shasta County Public Health Officer Dr. James Mu have also submitted formal Letters of Support for the proposed True North Behavioral Health Campus.
Redding, CA – Arch Collaborative, in partnership with Signature Healthcare Services, announced today that Shasta County HHSA Director Christy Coleman has submitted a formal Letter of Support and Supervisor Chris Kelstrom has confirmed he will be submitting a Letter of Support for the proposed True North Behavioral Health Campus as well.
Their support reflects growing countywide and regional alignment around the need for expanded behavioral health care access in the rural North State. Together, they join more than 50 letters of support submitted by organizations, agencies, and community leaders throughout the North State, including Shasta County Supervisors Plummer and Long.
Over the past year, development of the True North Behavioral Health Campus has been shaped by hundreds of engagements across the region. Counties, hospitals, service providers, law enforcement, and families consistently identified the same urgent priorities: local crisis stabilization, inpatient psychiatric treatment, youth services, and medically supported detox, all available close to home.
Statements From County Leaders
HHSA Director Christy Coleman: “I am confident the True North Behavioral Health Campus is in the best interest of Shasta County. HHSA looks forward to continued collaboration with Signature Healthcare, SHARC, and Arch Collaborative to expand access to critically needed behavioral health services for our community.”
Supervisor Chris Kelstrom: “When this previously came before the board, I felt I needed to stand with staff while things were still unclear. Now that there’s a solid path forward, I’m glad to support this project and submit my Letter of Support.”
Statements From Project Partners
Senior Vice President of Strategy and Planning at Signature Healthcare Services, Eric Kim: “We appreciate HHSA’s thoughtful review of our proposal and the collaborative conversations in recent weeks. Our desire has always been and remains to expand access to critical services in the North State through transparency, partnership, and a shared vision for improved behavioral health care.”
Arch Collaborative CEO Kimberly Johnson: “The True North Behavioral Health Campus reflects a regional, community-driven effort shaped through hundreds of voices across the North State. We are grateful for the partnership shown in recent weeks and remain committed to transparent, collaborative work that strengthens the behavioral health system for our region.”
Next Steps:
Between now and the spring 2026 award announcement, Arch Collaborative and Signature Healthcare will continue working closely with HHSA to ensure project readiness, financial safeguards, and a coordinated, community-centered implementation plan should the project be funded.
Project Overview
The proposed True North Behavioral Health Campus will include:
Together, these components are designed to reduce reliance on emergency rooms and jails and to ensure individuals receive appropriate, timely care close to home.
The proposal was submitted to the California Department of Health Care Services’ BHCIP program in October 2025. Letters of support may still be submitted through November 28, 2025.
Upcoming Town Hall on the True North Campus Project:
Hosted and Facilitated by Matt Plummer – Supervisor, District 4
December 8th
6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Dignity Health Connected Living
200 Mercy Oaks Dr, Redding, CA 96003
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About Arch Collaborative
Arch Collaborative works to ensure trauma-informed, community-based services are available to vulnerable populations across Northern California. The organization specializes in building regional partnerships, securing government funding, and developing sustainable programs that reflect the needs of rural communities.
About Signature Healthcare
Founded in 2000 by a psychiatrist, Signature Healthcare has grown into one of the nation’s largest behavioral health systems with 19 facilities across five states. In California, it operates nine hospitals across six counties - the state’s largest network of freestanding psychiatric hospitals -providing inpatient, residential, restore-to-competency programs for justice-involved adults, and partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient services for adults, children, and youth. More than half of its patients statewide are covered by Medi-Cal or county-funded sources, underscoring its role as a safety net partner. In the past four years, Signature has opened three new facilities, demonstrating its ability to navigate state and county systems efficiently. For the North State, Signature is contributing the required 25 percent match and committing to proactive workforce development from the outset.
Media Contact:
Sarah Peery
Chief Communications and Program Administration Officer
media@archcollaborative.org
530.917.5270
