Lofgren Secures $900K for Substance Use Disorder Treatment Center in Watsonville

WATSONVILLE, CA - Yesterday, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) visited the construction site for the Sí Se Puede Behavioral Health Center in Watsonville to deliver a check for $900,000 as one of her 13 community projects she submitted for the Fiscal Year 2026 congressional appropriations cycle. This funding will help to provide furniture, fixtures, and IT equipment for the new substance use disorder treatment facility operated by Encompass Community Services.

"One of my top priorities as a Member of Congress is ensuring that constituents in California's 18^th congressional district have access to comprehensive care, no matter the language they speak," Rep. Lofgren said. "I was very encouraged to hear that this facility was being built to offer bilingual services to hundreds and hundreds of our community members. It's my pleasure to deliver this $900,000 check to ensure that this facility has the capacity to serve more clients and change more lives."

"We are deeply grateful to Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren for her leadership and steadfast advocacy on behalf of Santa Cruz County," said Kim Morrison, Interim CEO of Encompass Community Services. "This funding will allow us to expand life-saving behavioral health treatment at our new Sí Se Puede Behavioral Health Center in Watsonville, ensuring more individuals and families can access the care they need, close to home. Congresswoman Lofgren's continued support has a direct and lasting impact on the health and future of our community."

The Sí Se Puede Behavioral Health Center will provide personalized, bilingual treatment to nearly 1,000 community members annually, directly contributing to a safer, more prosperous community. Equipping the facility with the latest medical technology will not only enhance the quality of care but also increase operational efficiency. Funding will also be used to outfit a kitchen, treatment and wellness facilities, and bedrooms and communal living spaces to serve 30 people at a time.

Rep. Lofgren will continue to deliver checks to community project funding recipients in the near future, which includes a total of $58,022,000 for Watsonville and Santa Cruz County.

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