Community stakeholders, health professionals, and county officials gather to discuss the proposed True North Behavioral Health Campus — a $216 million integrated facility that would provide psychiatric beds, crisis stabilization, youth residential care, and intensive outpatient services. The project is spearheaded by the Arch Collaborative nonprofit and would be built and operated by Signature Healthcare Services, a for-profit mental health company. More than 50 regional leaders and organizations ultimately sign on in support.

HHSA Director Christy Coleman emails County Executive Officer David Rickert and Supervisor Kevin Crye — not the full board — attaching an Orange County corrective action notice showing that county had moved to revoke Signature Healthcare's LPS designation after documented deficiencies the company failed to correct. The email was forwarded to Coleman by HHSA Branch Director Cindy Lane.

At a special meeting, three supervisors vote to send a formal letter of opposition to the state — effectively undercutting the True North application just before the BHCIP Round 2 deadline. Supervisor Kevin Crye leads the opposition. Coleman presents. Supervisors Matt Plummer and Allen Long vote against the motion. Sheriff Michael Johnson, District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett, and dozens of community organizations had publicly supported the project.

HHSA Director Coleman issues a formal press release announcing her support for True North. She writes that after completing a deeper review of the project's financial models, payor mix, and state requirements, she gained a "fuller understanding" of the project.

The 3–2 board vote had already occurred. The reversal came five weeks after the damage was done.

Following Coleman's reversal, Shasta Scout reports Crye is still not fully supportive of the project, saying he remains uncertain about the county's long-term financial obligations. No second board vote to change the county's position is scheduled.

The California Department of Health Care Services announces its Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program Round 2 grants. Shasta County does receive a BHCIP award — but not for True North. The Family Dynamics Resource Center in Anderson is awarded $24,705,061 for its Pathways to Leadership Campus Expansion, a youth behavioral health facility.

Arch Collaborative and Signature Healthcare confirm the project is dead without state funding. Signature Healthcare Senior VP Eric Kim says the company will "continue to explore what is possible" for the region but the campus as envisioned will not be built. Shasta Scout and Record Searchlight both report the denial, noting the role of the county's opposition letter.

Twelve days after True North's denial, Item R3 appears on the Board of Supervisors agenda — sponsored by Supervisor Crye. It asks the board to commit up to $1,920,506 from the county's opioid litigation settlement fund as required matching funds for the Family Dynamics Resource Center's Pathways to Leadership Campus Expansion, which received the $24.7 million BHCIP Round 2 award that True North was denied.

The item requires a 4/5 vote. It also requires Anderson City Council approval before any county funds can be released, as the campus will be built within Anderson city limits. No general fund impact — all money comes from opioid settlement accounts.