Orange County supervisors Tuesday approved plans for another mental health clinic near the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro as well as a new policy to give veterans preference when applying for county jobs.
The supervisors unanimously voted to build a second “Wellness Campus” on 22 acres near the former military base in Irvine.
In February 2018, the board approved the acquisition of property at 265 S. Anita Drive in Orange for the first of the OC Wellness Hubs which is expected to open in January.
County officials are also planning a third hub.
The project is part of a public-private partnership between the county, CalOptima, the county’s health insurance agency for the needy, and the nonprofit organization Mind OC. The aim is to provide an array of mental health services to residents regardless of their ability to pay.
The board at its regular meeting Tuesday also approved a new policy giving veterans a leg up when applying for openings in county posts and paid internships.
Orange County Board chairwoman Michelle Steel said the policy makes Orange County’s program the “most veteran friendly” one in the state.
The county has about 130,000 residents who are veterans.