July 21, 2026 - Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) has been honored with two 2026 National Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo), recognizing innovative programs that are transforming how residents experiencing mental health challenges access care, hope, and support.
The awards recognize BHRS for its XFERALL Patient Transfer Network, which has dramatically reduced the time it takes to connect people in psychiatric crisis with appropriate treatment, and its CARE Act Pre-Petition Referral Pathway, which created a compassionate, community-centered approach to connecting individuals living with serious mental illness to services before a crisis escalates.
"These awards reflect Merced County's unwavering commitment to improving the lives of our residents," said Merced County Board of Supervisors Chairman Daron McDaniel. "When we come together with our healthcare providers, community partners, and local agencies, we can create lasting solutions that ensure people receive the care they need with dignity, compassion, and urgency."
The XFERALL Patient Transfer Network, developed in partnership with Dignity Health – St. Joseph's Medical Center, replaced an outdated process that relied on phone calls and faxes with a real-time electronic transfer system connecting emergency departments with psychiatric facilities.
Since its implementation in 2024, the program has transformed the experience for patients and healthcare providers alike. The median time required to place adult behavioral health patients has dropped from approximately eight hours to just 39 minutes. For children and adolescents, placement times have fallen from more than 24 hours to an average of just seven minutes. Every minute saved means someone in crisis can begin receiving care sooner, families spend less time waiting for answers, and emergency departments are better equipped to serve everyone who walks through their doors.
The CARE Act Pre-Petition Referral Pathway builds on that commitment by making it easier for families, first responders, healthcare providers, and community members to connect individuals living with untreated schizophrenia spectrum disorders to behavioral health services before their circumstances become more severe.
The program established a dedicated referral phone line and email, developed easy-to-use referral materials for the community, and assigns every referral to a dedicated BHRS team member to ensure timely follow-up and coordinated care. It also stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved through partnership, bringing together BHRS, the Merced Superior Court, the Merced County Public Defender's Office, the Merced County Counsel's Office, and many other community partners around a shared mission of helping people access treatment and stability.
Since launching in December 2024, the program has received 192 referrals, resulting in 69 CARE petitions, 54 CARE Agreements, 57 diversions from the criminal justice system, and 27 housing placements—representing real people who are finding pathways to treatment, stability, and hope.
"These nationally recognized programs demonstrate what is possible when innovation is guided by compassion and a shared commitment to public service," said County Executive Officer Mark J. Hendrickson. "Our Behavioral Health and Recovery Services team continues to build practical solutions that expand access to care, strengthen partnerships across our community, and create meaningful, lasting change for the people of Merced County."
Both award-winning initiatives reflect a common vision: intervening earlier, strengthening collaboration among healthcare providers, law enforcement, courts, and community organizations, and ensuring individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges receive the care they need when they need it most.
"Our mission is to ensure every resident has timely access to compassionate, effective behavioral health care," said Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Director Kimiko Vang. "These programs remind us that behind every referral, every partnership, and every improved process is a person whose life can be changed by receiving the right care at the right time. By working together, we are removing barriers, supporting families, and building a stronger, healthier future for our entire community."
Established in 1970, the National Association of Counties Achievement Awards recognize innovative county government programs that strengthen services for residents and serve as models for counties across the nation.
Source: Merced County
