Strategy & Tactics in San Diego

San Ysidro Health Launches Arts-Based Social Prescribing Pilot — 250 Youth Prescribed Art for Mental Health

San Ysidro Health is piloting an innovative behavioral health model: 250 adolescents aged 12-25 with anxiety, depression, or social isolation receive 'arts prescriptions' through a partnership with Art Pharmacy. BH specialists prescribe arts/culture experiences from 115+ partner organizations (~200 venues) across San Diego. This represents a novel non-clinical intervention model for FQHC youth mental health. Funded with support from Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties.

San Ysidro Health Opening 3 New Centers in 2026: Julian, Joe & Vi Jacobs, Chula Vista

San Ysidro Health, one of San Diego County's largest FQHCs, is scheduled to open three new health centers in 2026 — Julian Family Medicine (March), Joe & Vi Jacobs Center (fall), and Chula Vista Specialty Care (winter). This follows the recent opening of a $55M National City center expected to serve 20,000 people annually and create 200-250 permanent jobs. CEO Kevin Mattson noted 25-30% of National City's community lacks access to medical and behavioral health care, and the expansion comes as 'families are losing healthcare coverage and federal funding is increasingly limited.'

San Ysidro Health Opens $55M Center in National City — 'Doing More with Less'

San Ysidro Health opened the $54.5M Macias Family Health Center in National City just as federal cuts to Medi-Cal intensify. CEO Kevin Mattson described it as 'a fraught moment' — work requirements and coverage changes will increase uninsured patients while reducing revenue. La Maestra and FHCSD also bracing for higher demand with less funding.