REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 23, 2026
FROM
JOSHUA DUGAS, Acting Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Contract with Pacific Clinics for Clubhouse and Community Connections Peer-Run Centers
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 23-600 with Pacific Clinics for Clubhouse and Community Connections peer-run centers, increasing the total contract amount by $968,000, from $12,511,811 to $13,479,811, with no change to the contract term of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2028.
(Presenter: Joshua Dugas, Acting Director, 252-5142)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote and Fulfill the Countywide Vision.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The recommended contract increase of $968,000 will be funded by the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), Behavioral Health Services and Support funds. Adequate appropriation and revenue are included in the Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) 2025-26 and 2026-27 budgets and will be included in the 2027-28 recommended budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
DBH is responsible for providing mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services to San Bernardino County (County) residents experiencing severe mental illness and/or SUD. As part of the DBH continuum of care, Clubhouse and Community Connections programs (Clubhouses) serve as peer-run centers that provide recovery-oriented mental health services for adults ages 18 and older. These programs support individuals in achieving improved social and vocational functioning through a restorative, community-based environment that promotes self-sufficiency, skill development, and overall wellness.
Since 1994, Clubhouses have used a Recovery, Wellness, and Resilience model focused on hope, empowerment, stigma reduction, and community reintegration. Through collaborative member and staff engagement, Clubhouses provide educational, vocational, social, and recreational services that support long-term recovery and quality of life. Clubhouses remain highly valued across the County, with service expansion consistently recommended by consumers, families, first responders, outreach workers, behavioral health providers, and community partners. Currently, 11 DBH and contracted peer-run Clubhouses serve communities throughout the county, including Apple Valley, San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario, Victorville, Barstow, Lucerne Valley, Yucca Valley, Rialto, Needles, and Loma Linda.
The Needles Clubhouse was specifically established to expand access to behavioral health and recovery services in the underserved Mojave Desert region of the County. Utilizing a recovery-oriented, peer-support model, the Clubhouse provides wellness programming, life-skills development, employment support, substance use support, and connections to community resources. By reducing transportation barriers and offering a safe and supportive environment, the program improves access to care while promoting recovery, community integration, and social connection. The Clubhouse also plays an important role in reducing mental health stigma, meeting basic needs that support recovery and strengthening support networks for vulnerable and underserved populations in the rural desert community.
In addition to behavioral health services, the Needles Clubhouse continues to address critical community needs through member support services and food distribution efforts. During Fiscal Year 2024-25, the Needles Clubhouse conducted 12 food distributions, providing 23,873 pounds of food, equivalent to approximately 19,894 meals. These efforts served 583 households and 1,427 individuals through monthly food distribution events. Following the Clubhouse opening in November 2024, an additional 1,803 meals were served directly to members. In Fiscal Year 2025-26 year-to-date (July 2025 through April 2026), the Needles Clubhouse has conducted 10 food distributions, distributing 15,218 pounds of food, equivalent to approximately 12,681 meals. These services have supported 383 households and 1,081 individuals, while an additional 1,913 meals have been served directly to Clubhouse members. These outcomes demonstrate the continued importance of Clubhouse programs in supporting recovery, reducing food insecurity, strengthening community engagement, and improving the overall well-being of vulnerable populations in the Needles community.
The Needles Clubhouse faces growing service demands and requires strategic investments over the next two years to strengthen program operations, expand access to food and hygiene services, and ensure consistent onsite supervision. The recommended budget of $968,000 includes targeted enhancements in program support, technology, transportation, staffing, hygiene access, waste management, and food resources. Program improvements focus on increasing member engagement, improving data tracking, and enabling better participation in county-led activities through technology upgrades such as the purchase of a conference system, tablets, and licenses. Transportation costs, which include leasing or renting vehicles, are substantial due to the geographic isolation of Needles. The proposed options allow increased food distribution capacity and reliable consumer transport. Staffing enhancements include adding a full-time Peer Support Specialist and establishing an onsite Team Lead to support daily operations and program integrity. To address basic needs, the budget outlines two possible approaches for providing shower and laundry services-either through the purchase of an ADA-compliant trailer or by transporting members to external facilities. Additional operational costs include waste disposal and expanded food support. These combined investments aim to significantly increase service capacity, meet identified community needs, and enhance the overall functioning of the Needles Clubhouse.
On June 27, 2023 (Item No. 39), the Board of Supervisors approved Contract No. 23-600 with Pacific Clinics for Clubhouse and Community Connections peer-run centers, in the amount of $12,511,811, for the contract period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2028.
Approval of this item will increase the funding to allow the Needles Clubhouse to continue to expand and support critical community needs that support behavioral health recovery in this region of the County.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Behavioral Health (Marianna Martinez, Administrative Supervisor II, 383-3940) on May 29, 2026; Deputy County Counsel (Dawn Martin, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 29, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Iliana Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on June 4, 2026.