Press Release

CalOptima Health and the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) received the Public-Private Partnership Award from the Orange County Business Council Turning Red Tape Into Red Carpet Awards during an event yesterday. The award recognizes both agencies for the launch of Be Well OC’s campus in the city of Orange as a first-of-its-kind center that provides comprehensive behavioral health care to improve mental health and substance use disorder services for Orange County residents.

Opened in 2021, the Be Well OC Orange campus provides an integrated model for mental health and substance use disorder services by breaking down barriers between the public and private sectors, and it has served more than 4,600 patients, including 2,500 CalOptima Health members. CalOptima Health, the HCA, private hospital systems, nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups and other community stakeholders came together to support Orange County’s existing mental health services and identify gaps in care, ultimately creating Be Well OC in response to community needs.

Chair of the CalOptima Health Board of Directors and Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do said: “There has long been a need for a coordinated system to treat mental health illnesses and substance use disorders in Orange County. The Be Well OC campus is the culmination of a public-private partnership that focuses specifically on coordination of patient care and collaboration of resources. This award recognized our effort in building a best-in-class behavioral health system of care.”

“CalOptima Health is honored to receive this award along with the Orange County Health Care Agency — it is a true partnership, including with Be Well. This is a testament to our shared goal of serving members’ mental health,” said Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima Health.

HCA Director Clayton Chau, M.D., Ph.D., MASL, added: “Orange County is fortunate to have so many organizations aligned and motivated to make crucial improvements to our behavioral health system. The HCA and CalOptima Health are committed to leading the state and nation in developing best-in-class mental health services. I’m also grateful to the Board of Supervisors for their championship and commitment to this partnership as an important element in achieving mental health and well-being for all residents in OC.”

“CalOptima Health and the HCA provided significant funding and operational resources back when Be Well OC was just an idea,” said Marshall Moncrief, CEO of Mind OC, the nonprofit that operates Be Well OC. “Their leadership and support helped propel Be Well OC forward, as they tackled complex issues and cut through lots of red tape. The award is fitting, and on behalf of the community, we celebrate this recognition.”

A county-organized health system, CalOptima Health provides publicly funded health care coverage for low-income children, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities in Orange County, California. CalOptima Health’s mission is to serve member health with excellence and dignity, respecting the value and needs of each person. CalOptima Health serves more than 939,000 members with a network of more than 10,700 primary care doctors and specialists and 45 acute and rehab hospitals. caloptima.org