News & Updates

A message on behalf of Board of Supervisors Chair Andersen and the County Administrator's Office.

Contra Costa County stands with our immigrant communities. We know recent federal immigration actions have caused fear and confusion for many across our region and beyond. Our commitment to serving all people, regardless of immigration status, has not changed.

County services like healthcare, public assistance, and mental health support are provided to all, without exception. We operate within our legal authority, focusing on community trust and public safety —not immigration enforcement.

Our community is stronger because of our differences, and we remain committed to dignity, fairness, and access for all. We also support your right to express concern through peaceful protest. In times like these, showing up for each other — in voice, in action, and in care — is how we move forward.

Our strength lies in the people who call this County home. You are not alone, and we will continue to stand with you.

Need support or information?

• Visit Immigration Resources & Public Charge Information | EHSD [ehsd.org] for information about immigration resources in our area
• Call or text 988 for 24/7, confidential support through the Contra Costa Crisis Center.
• The Contra Costa County Library is hosting a Know Your Rights online presentation on Monday, June 23 at 11 AM. Learn your rights when interacting with ICE and the immigration system. The program will have a live Spanish interpretation. To register click here.

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El Condado de Contra Costa apoya a nuestras comunidades de inmigrantes. Sabemos que las recientes acciones federales de inmigración han causado miedo y confusión para muchos en nuestra región y más allá. Nuestro compromiso de servir a todas las personas, independientemente de su estatus migratorio, no ha cambiado.

Los servicios del condado, como la atención médica, la asistencia pública y el apoyo a la salud mental, se brindan a todos, sin excepción. Operamos dentro de nuestra autoridad legal, enfocándonos en la confianza de la comunidad y la seguridad pública, no en la aplicación de la ley de inmigración.

Nuestra comunidad es más fuerte debido a nuestras diferencias, y seguimos comprometidos con la dignidad, la equidad y el acceso para todos. También apoyamos su derecho a expresar su preocupación a través de la protesta pacífica. En tiempos como estos, nos apoyamos los unos a los otros, en la voz, en la acción y en el cuidado, es la forma en que avanzamos.

Nuestra fuerza radica en las personas que llaman hogar a este condado. No están solos, y continuaremos estando a su lado.

¿Necesita apoyo o información?

• Visite Recursos de Inmigración e Información de Carga Pública | EHSD [ehsd.org] para obtener información sobre recursos de inmigración en nuestra área
• Llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al 988 para obtener apoyo confidencial las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana a través del Centro de Crisis de Contra Costa.
• La Biblioteca del Condado de Contra Costa está organizando una presentación en línea de Conozca sus Derechos el lunes 23 de junio a las 11 a.m. Conozca sus derechos al interactuar con ICE y el sistema de inmigración. El programa contará con una interpretación en vivo al español. Para inscribirse haga clic aquí.

Today, several Contra Costa Health staff spoke at the Board of Supervisors meeting in honor of Pride Month, sharing their lived experiences and about the work we do together to support the LGBTQIA+ community. I want to thank them for bringing their voices to this moment.

The chance to work alongside people whose lives, identities and perspectives reflect the full diversity of our county energizes me and, I think, anyone who loves working in health. That richness of experience strengthens our mission and improves the care we provide.

From the Pride Initiative’s early days in 2009 to the Gender Clinic’s launch in 2016, CCH has worked to create inclusive spaces and services. Today, that work continues through gender-affirming care, peer support programs, provider training, and strong partnerships with Rainbow Community Center, PFLAG, and other community groups.

These efforts reflect our department’s deepest values: equity, respect, and care for all people. Because of your dedication, LGBTQ+ residents across Contra Costa have greater access to safe, welcoming care and support.

Pride Month is both a celebration and a call to action. It’s a time to honor how far we’ve come—and recommit to a future where everyone belongs.

Thank you for making that future possible.

In pride and gratitude,

Ori Tzvieli, MD MS
Chief Executive Officer and Health Director (Interim)
Health Officer, Contra Costa County

As I shared last week, Contra Costa Health is evolving, not only in how we organize and support our teams, but also in how we respond to a changing fiscal landscape. As part of our ongoing transformation work, the Office of the Director is bringing together a range of essential services – including communications, quality, compliance, facilities, executive functions, and more – that every division depends on.

By organizing these areas under one umbrella, we are creating a structure that helps ensure all teams have clearer, more consistent access to the support they need. This new structure is led by our three deputy directors:

• Lavonna Martin oversees capital planning, health equity, Office of the Director administration, and Detention Health.
• Matt Kaufmann supervises communications, personnel, and an in-development, department-level office to coordinate compliance-related activities across the department.
• Rachael Birch leads our department-level quality efforts, strategic initiatives, and informatics and technology.

Several of these new offices are still under development, and we will share more about them in coming months. Each deputy director also supports the leadership of different divisions and branches. Together these directors help connect our day-to-day work with the broader resources of the department, reducing duplication, encouraging collaboration, and giving division leaders clear points of contact.

I am also excited to share several recent leadership transitions that reflect the deep talent within our organization:

• Dr. Sergio Urcuyo has been appointed Chief Medical Officer for Contra Costa Regional Medical Center & Health Centers (CCRMC&HC)
• Shannon Abella has stepped into the role of interim Chief Operating Officer for CCRMC&HC
• Helena Martey has taken on the role of interim Chief Nursing Officer for CCRMC&HC
• Mary Jane De Jesus-Saepham has been promoted to Health Services Personnel Manager
• Shulin Lin has joined CCH as Deputy Chief Financial Officer

Please join me in congratulating (and welcoming) these exceptional colleagues.

These changes are part of our broader effort to make CCH more connected, more coordinated, and more supportive of the people who make our mission possible. I am grateful to all of you for the work you do every day, and I look forward to continuing this journey together.

With Appreciation,

Ori Tzvieli, MD MS
Chief Executive Officer and Health Director (Interim)
Health Officer, Contra Costa County

With both state and federal budgets still in flux, we are taking measured steps to navigate uncertainty in the months ahead. I want to share a brief update about what we know so far and share what we are working on to ensure Contra Costa Health remains stable and focused on its mission.

To start, we are implementing two department-wide policy changes, effective today:

• Hiring pause. Any new hiring or filling of current vacancies must receive freeze approval from the Office of the Director.
• Travel approval. All out-of-county travel will require prior approval from the Office of the Director.

These measures are intended to help us manage resources carefully while we learn more about the evolving budget picture. If you have questions or need to request an exception, please contact your division head.

Earlier this month, Governor Newsom released his revised state budget proposal (the “May Revise”). While the final budget will be negotiated through June, some proposals, especially around Medi-Cal, could affect many of the people we serve.

The most significant proposed changes include ending new Medi-Cal enrollment for adults with unsatisfactory immigration status in January 2026, and requiring those who remain enrolled to pay a $100 monthly premium beginning in 2027. If adopted, these changes could cause as many as 40,000 CCH patients to lose their healthcare in the next two years.

CCH is the safety-net provider for our County, so I want to assure everyone that we will continue to serve this population. However, when patients have less access to primary and preventive care, we are more likely to see them only when their health concerns become serious enough to drive them to emergency departments.

The May Revise also proposes ending enhanced reimbursement rates for undocumented adult visits at our Federally Qualified Health Centers, meaning we would receive much less funding for the same care.

Altogether, these proposed changes could result in as much as $25 million in reduced revenue in FY 2025–26, and up to $35 million in FY 2026–27. Federal funding changes are also expected later this year, adding to the uncertainty and potentially further reducing the number of people eligible for Medicaid (Medi-Cal). Our county leadership is working with our state and federal partner organizations to protect health coverage as much as possible.

It’s important to note that CCH does not currently anticipate any reductions in services or staff. The transformation efforts already underway are helping us stay adaptive and resilient.

Before closing, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the recent passing of former Contra Costa Supervisor Federal Glover. Supervisor Glover was a lifelong public servant and steadfast champion for health and equity in our community. His leadership helped shape many CCH programs and partnerships. Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and the many people whose lives he touched.

I will continue to share updates as we know more. Thank you for your flexibility, thoughtfulness, and unwavering commitment to the people of Contra Costa.

Sincerely,

Ori Tzvieli, MD MS
Chief Executive Officer and Health Director (Interim)
Health Officer, Contra Costa County

Contra Costa Health (CCH) has secured about $98 million in state funding to build three new facilities to better serve county residents in need of mental health and recovery services.

The funding comes from California’s Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), a multi-year state initiative to improve behavioral healthcare infrastructure paid through Proposition 1.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced the awards this week.

“We are grateful to Gov. Newsom and DHCS for recognizing the need to invest in this kind of infrastructure in Contra Costa County,” said Candace Andersen, chair of the county Board of Supervisors. “We desperately need more beds for residential care and treatment.”

Projects selected for funding include:

• Delta Recovery Center (Oakley)
  A campus to include a 16 bed-adult residential treatment center and a 16-bed mental health rehabilitation center.
  
  
• Los Medanos Recovery Center (Pittsburg)
  A hub including a sobering center, crisis triage center, withdrawal management program and outpatient behavioral healthcare services.
  
  
• Sherman Recovery Center (Pleasant Hill)
  A 16-bed adult residential treatment and transitional residential facility designed to support adults with behavioral health needs in a structured setting.

“These investments help us to meet people where they are, offering meaningful treatment and support close to home,” Contra Costa Supervisor Ken Carlson said. “They are a vital part of our ongoing efforts to reduce emergency room visits, reduce contact with the criminal justice system, and support recovery in our community.”

The Board of Supervisors yesterday appointed Supervisors Carlson and Andersen as its representatives on the recently established Behavioral Health Commission, which advises the full board on matters relating to mental health, substance use disorder and behavioral health in the county.

Contra Costa County owns the properties on which all three facilities will be built. More details about the projects and their timelines will be released in early summer.

“We have a critical need for these programs to better serve Contra Costa residents throughout the County and close to their home communities. The addition of these facilities will expand access to essential care to better support people who are in need of and would benefit from the mental health treatment services to be provided,” said Dr. Suzanne Tavano, Director of Behavioral Health Services for CCH. “This investment will make our county healthier, safer and more able to provide appropriate care for all our residents.”

Statewide, Proposition 1 funding is expected to create over 5,000 residential treatment beds and expand outpatient capacity by 21,800, with a focus on helping individuals who are homeless or at risk of institutionalization.

I’m pleased to share some exciting news about a major investment in the future of behavioral healthcare in our county.

Late last week, Contra Costa Health was awarded approximately $98 million in state funds through the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), part of the Proposition 1 bond initiative announced by Governor Newsom.

This is a historic investment not only for California, but for Contra Costa, where three major new projects will soon begin development. The funding will support:

• Delta Recovery Center, a 16-bed adult residential treatment and 16-bed mental health rehabilitation center in Oakley

• Sherman Recovery Center, a 16-bed Adult Residential Treatment facility in Pleasant Hill

• Los Medanos Recovery Center, offering a Sobering Center, Crisis Triage, Withdrawal Management, and Outpatient Services in Pittsburg

These projects will expand access to high-quality care in the communities where our patients live, reduce avoidable emergency department visits and contacts with the criminal justice system, and improve the lives of residents who have serious mental illness or substance use disorder.

I want to thank everyone who contributed to developing these proposals and guiding them through a highly competitive process.

We’ll be sharing more information as timelines and details are finalized. For now, please take a moment to recognize what this means: Many more people in Contra Costa will get the support they need, when and where they need it.

With gratitude,

Ori Tzvieli, MD MS
Chief Executive Officer and Health Director (Interim)
Health Officer, Contra Costa County

Let’s take a moment today to honor the 1,600+ nurses of Contra Costa Health, whose skill, compassion and commitment are at the heart of our mission.

They serve across nearly every part of our department, from the hospital to our health centers to the county detention system, in behavioral health clinics, shelters and on our crisis teams, in homes and in neighborhoods.

They care for people during life’s most vulnerable moments, and they do so with grace, courage and professionalism. They are educators, advocates, problem-solvers and leaders. They improve countless lives in Contra Costa County every day, and we are all better for their contributions.

To our nurses: We see you. We appreciate you. And we are grateful for your unwavering dedication not just this week, which happens to be National Nurses’ Week (May 6-12), but all year long.

Please join me in thanking the nurses around you for the extraordinary work they do and the humanity they bring to our healthcare system. Let us also support and care for each other, as we continue this essential work together.

Also, please enjoy this short video (also above) featuring nurses from all over the department.

With deep appreciation,

Ori Tzvieli, MD MS

Chief Executive Officer and Health Director (Interim)

Health Officer, Contra Costa County

The new West County Reentry, Treatment and Housing Facility (WRTH), an addition to the West County Detention Facility in Richmond, will open in late summer or fall to help us better serve community members who are incarcerated.

This project represents a major effort by the county to improve conditions for incarcerated individuals who require medical and behavioral healthcare, and to provide a more responsive and appropriate care environment within our detention system.

WRTH does not expand capacity but allows the Sheriff’s Office to decompress Martinez Detention Facility and re-allocate within the system 272 beds, including 96 designated for persons behavioral health treatment and support.

I’m glad to report that the WRTH will include a new health clinic that will offer care, such as optometry, dental care, x-ray and dialysis, as well as designated space for reentry, family reunification and workforce readiness programs.

Recruitment is now underway for more than 70 medical and behavioral health staff members who will provide care inside WRTH and play a critical role in preparing patients for reentry.

As part of this work, CCH has implemented processes through Cal-AIM’s Justice Involved Initiative to screen and enroll every eligible, incarcerated individual into Medi-Cal prior to their release, to ensure a smooth transition to community-based care.

We recognize that not all community members will view improvements made to a detention facility the same way. But our role as a health department is to ensure that patients who are incarcerated receive care that is appropriate and excellent, regardless of the setting. WRTH offers a space where that care can be provided safely, humanely and effectively.

I am grateful to all who have worked to bring us so far, including Deputy Director Lavonna Martin, Detention Health Medical Director Dr. Sonia Sutherland, Nurse Program Manager Sujeeta Sukhu, Mental Health Program Chief Manju Mathews-Campbell, and project manager Jena Williams, among many others.

Thank you all,

Ori Tzvieli, MD MS

Chief Executive Officer and Health Director (Interim)

Health Officer, Contra Costa County

After achieving a top grade as one the nation’s highest quality hospitals last fall, Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (CCRMC), part of Contra Costa Health, has maintained its “A” in the Spring 2025 safety report card from the Leapfrog Group [hospitalsafetygrade.org].

The “A” grade places CCRMC in the top 32% of the 3,000 hospitals surveyed nationwide. Leapfrog is an independent nonprofit healthcare watchdog committed to driving quality, safety and transparency in the U.S. health system.

“This A grade comes as we prepare to celebrate our amazing nursing staff during National Nurses Week (May 6-12) and share our gratitude for their invaluable contributions to our hospital and health centers,” said Supervisor Candace Andersen, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “It takes a strong team to provide an outstanding health system. I’m proud of our entire CCRMC team and delighted by this recognition of their commitment to safe and high-quality care.”

Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade report is updated twice a year – in the spring and fall. CCRMC earned an “A” in the previous report in the fall of 2024. Grades are assigned to general hospitals across the country based on up to 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them. The grading system is peer-reviewed, transparent and available free to the public.

“This rating is a testament to the hard work of our staff and their dedication to excellent patient care,” said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, interim chief executive officer of Contra Costa Health. “Our patients deserve to be able to trust the care they receive. Independent reviews from organizations like Leapfrog help us build that trust."

CCRMC is a full-service, 167-bed designated public hospital that primarily serves residents with Medi-Cal. It has a 24-hour emergency department, accredited cancer care program and a nationally recognized family medicine residency program.

Dear colleagues,

On Monday, interim CCH Chief Financial Officer Brian Buchanan and I presented Contra Costa Health’s proposed 2025-26 budget to the Board of Supervisors. I want to take a moment to speak directly to you about where we stand.

CCH has grown rapidly over the past decade, and our community relies on us more than ever. Contra Costa Health Plan membership has more than doubled since 2020, and in the past year served more than 323,000 unique Medi-Cal members, which is an all-time high. CCH services touch 1 out of 3 county residents, and we have been adding new programs like our youth stabilization unit at CCRMC that help us address critical needs in the community.

At the same time, we face real uncertainty about the future. Potential federal Medicaid cuts could have a major impact on our funding and the services we provide, and tens of thousands of county residents could lose their healthcare coverage. The details are not yet clear, and it may be months before we have a full picture.

The Board will consider adoption of the proposed 2025-26 budget at a hearing in May, but we will likely return to provide updates throughout the upcoming fiscal year as we gain more clarity about the federal budget.

What is clear is that our mission has never been more important. Whether or not the patient can pay, or whether or not we are reimbursed for services, it is our legal and moral obligation to offer the best possible care to anyone who needs it. We are the safety net for Contra Costa County. That will not change, no matter what happens in Washington.

We will continue to focus on what we can control: improving and ensuring access to care, strengthening prevention efforts, and making health more attainable for every person in our community. We have built a strong, resilient foundation. Together, we will navigate whatever lies ahead .

Thank you for all you do. Your work matters, today and every day. I will continue to share updates whenever there are developments.

Sincerely,
Ori