The Adult Services Section is part of Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Division.  This section provides clinical services to adults, older adults, and transition age (18-25) young adults in need of mental health treatment.  Mental health services for youth and substance abuse services for youth and adults are provided by the agency’s other sections.

The adult program focus, as defined by State law, is to serve individuals with serious and persistent mental disabilities, authorize and oversee the provision of mental health services to Santa Cruz County Medi-Cal recipients meeting medical necessity criteria and to serve those at risk of psychiatric hospitalization.

Services provided by County Mental Health and its contract agencies include: assessment, medication management, partial hospitalization/day treatment services, case management, rehabilitation counseling, individual therapy, group therapy, consultation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, and self-help programs.

The needs of persons served are diverse and often complex requiring a broad continuum of care from outpatient assessment to inpatient hospitalization and community based psychosocial rehabilitation.  The adult system is comprised of a mixture of services provided directly by County Mental Health, services are provided in collaboration with community based organizations that contract with the county, and services provided solely by the contract agencies.  Following is a brief list and description of the services that are provided.  For further information contact Yana Jacobs, Acting Chief of Adult Services at (831) 454-4539.

Services Provided By County Employed Staff

General Mental Health Services 

The Access Team evaluates all requests for non-emergency services for those individuals not currently receiving services from County/Contract Mental Health Coordinated Care Teams. This team is comprised of senior mental health clinicians and psychiatrists who provide assessments and referrals to mental health services. The Access Team is routinely available Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. at (800) 952-2335. Urgent care can be requested 24 hours per day by calling the same number.

Based upon the results of an assessment, the team’s care managers will link individuals and their families to the most appropriate services available.

Those individuals meeting the System of Care criteria (i.e., having a serious and persistent mental illness) are referred to one of several coordinated care treatment teams (see below) based in Santa Cruz or Watsonville.  

Santa Cruz County Medi-Cal beneficiaries who meet the State's medical necessity criteria for specialty out-patient mental health services are referred to a member of the local provider panel which includes clinics and individual practitioners.  As appropriate, pharmacotherapy is also available.  The Access team will continue to monitor the individual’s treatment progress and authorize necessary services.

Individuals who are in need of urgent care, but do not meet system of care criteria and/or are not Medi-Cal beneficiaries, may be seen for brief treatment by the Access Team staff. Typically these services are only provided when an individual is experiencing substantial functional impairments and without intervention would likely be hospitalized.

Coordinated Care Services are provided by Santa Cruz County Mental Health to individuals with a serious and persistent major mental illness (such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) at the direction of a Team Care Coordinator.  The staff is organized into teams in order to better coordinate care and meet the complex needs of persons receiving services.

All teams have 24-HR, on-call, 7-days a week.  Access to the North County teams occurs via referrals from the Access Team but may also be upon referral from the Dominican Hospital Behavioral Health Unit or Partial Hospital.

The teams are typically comprised of one psychiatrist, four Mental Health Care Coordinators, one Team Aide, one half-time therapist and one clinic supervisor. Regular weekday services of medication, social rehabilitation, therapy, and case management are provided. 

Team clients typically live in a variety of treatment settings including board and care facilities, L-facilities and supportive housing as well as other independent living arrangements.  The teams also serve individuals who are homeless.  For program information, contact Program Manager, Karolin Schwartz, at (831) 454-4170.

Teams 1, and 2 are the 2 adult care teams based at North County Mental Health, 320 Encinal Street, in Santa Cruz.  For more information about adult care teams, teams 1 and 2, contact Susan Matulich, Supervisor, at (831) 454-4170.

Staff for the Older Adult Team are located both in North County and in South County and provide specialty services for clients over 60 years old who have both a psychiatric disability and complex medical problems. This team is staffed with bilingual staff; one Crisis Worker/Registered Nurse, three Care Coordinators, and a half-time psychiatrist. This team provides a mobile crisis service, available Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. with services provided throughout the County of Santa Cruz.  For more information contact Steve Ruzicka, Supervisor, at (831) 454-4170.

The South County Clinic located at 12 West Beach Street in Watsonville serves the County residents south of Park Avenue.  This clinic is staffed with bilingual (Spanish speaking) staff.   For more information about the South County Clinic, contact

Alan Lamb Team Supervisor, at (831)

763-8990.

Specialized County Mental Health Services

Transition Age Youth Team.  This is a specialty team, which serves our target population between the ages of 18-25 years of age.  This team serves the entire County.  They maintain smaller case loads of approximately 15 to one.  They utilize the intensive case management model of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT).  For more information contact, Steve Ruzicka, Supervisor at (831) 454-4170.

Homeless Persons Grant Team.  This is a state funded pilot project funded by the State Department of Mental Health. The Homeless Mental Health team is collaboration with the Homeless Persons Health Project and Mental Health. The participants all have a major mental illness and are homeless. There will be up to 30 clients enrolled in this special program. The goal of this grant is to reduce homelessness for the mentally disabled. For more information, contact Yana Jacobs, Acting Chief of Adult Services, (831) 454-4539.

Maintaining Ongoing Stability through Treatment (MOST) is a pilot project specialty team funded by a grant from the California Bureau of Corrections.  The participants all have major mental illnesses and have had at least two arrests for crimes, other than traffic violations, in the last three years.  There are 75 clients who have been assigned to this team for treatment.  The goal of the grant is to reduce the amount of time that the team members spend in jail and other institutional settings by providing intensive case management services.

The team is comprised of a case aide, two case coordinators, one of whom is a nurse, two probation officers, a half-time psychiatrist, a supervisor and a half-time clerk.  Caseloads for this specialized team will average between 15-20 clients.  Intensive wrap around services are offered based on the ACT model.  The MOST team will be available to serve clients seven days, 24-hours a day by pager.  For more information, contact Dave Polak at (831) 454-5150.

Jail Mental Health Services are provided only at the Jail on Water Street, which is a maximum-security facility. Services are available 8 hours a day, seven days a week. An assigned psychiatrist is available Monday-Friday for medication services. There is a 24-hour, on-call capacity for psychiatric coverage.

A full-time Jail Discharge Planner functions as the liaison to the courts, the public defender, and the district attorney. The Discharge Planner is responsible for placing those inmates who are amenable and appropriate for community mental health care.

Santa Cruz County is one of the few counties in the State to have on staff a Probation Officer who works for the Department of Mental Health. This person works in conjunction with the other mental health staff to monitor post-adjudicated clients in the community.  For more information contact Paul Bellina, (831) 454-4170.

The Downtown Outreach Program provides outreach, evaluation, and linkage to health agencies and other organizations for homeless individuals who gather in downtown Santa Cruz.  The goal is to improve the quality of life and reduce the potential need for inpatient psychiatric treatment or involvement in the criminal justice system.

The Outreach Worker identifies the service needs of at-risk individuals by direct client contact and interfacing with law enforcement and the business community. The population served includes the following high-risk categories: individuals who are mentally disabled, suffering from chronic alcohol and other substance abuse, older adults, families with children and adolescent youth.  When appropriate, the Outreach Worker may consult with the Access Team for a referral to a multi-disciplinary care coordinated team.  The Outreach Worker, Deanna Laws, can be reached by page (831) 421-3482 or voice mail, (831) 454-4479.

The Public Guardian is under the direction of the County’s Human Resource Agency and works collaboratively with mental health to act as LPS Conservator for Santa Cruz County residents. This office may also act as Representative Payee for an individual whose physician or psychiatrist determines he/she is unable to manage their Social Security, SSI and/or Veteran’s Administration income. The Public Guardian may be appointed Probate Conservator by the court for individuals who do not meet the criteria for LPS conservatorship when there is no one else qualified to act as conservator.  For more information, contact Harry Snoek at (831) 454-4160.

Services Provided By County Staff and Contract Partnerships

Community Support Services provides a coordinated care services team staffed with a County Mental Health psychiatrist and case coordinators employed by CSS.  This team has a special emphasis on the dual diagnosed population and clients living in supported housing. They provide crisis, rehabilitation, case management services, and are also on-call after hours, weekends and holidays. The program is located at 290 Pioneer Street in Santa Cruz and can be reached at (831) 459-0444.

County Mental Health Crisis Team and the Dominican Psychiatric Emergency Services Team (PES) provide crisis services in a partnership based at the hospitals Behavioral Health Unit. Together they provide services 24-hours per day, 7 days per week.  The Mental Health Crisis Team in coordination with the PES staff provides evaluation and emergency interventions for individuals presenting at Dominican Hospital.  Licensed clinical staff perform assessments and make referrals for additional services.  Medical consultation and crisis stabilization services are also available for both voluntary and involuntary clients.  Administrative staff and County psychiatrists are on-call after hours, weekends, and can be reached via Dominican Behavioral Health Unit crisis staff.

Probation Programs:

·        Park Program Day Treatment is a school-based program for juvenile justice adolescents at risk of out of home placement. provided in partnership with Probation and County Office of Education.

·        Grow Program is an outpatient program for juvenile justice adolescents at risk of out of home placement. Provided by County Mental Health in partnership with Youth Services and Juvenile Justice.

·        STAR Program is a residential treatment program whose goal is to reunite youth with their families and back into their communities.

·        Probation Outpatient Program is an outpatient program for juvenile justice adolescents referred by the juvenile justice system to prevent out of home placement and to prevent further criminal activity.

Social Service Programs:

·        Supportive Intervention Services (SIS) for children 3-18 who have been placed into foster care or group homes or are at imminent risk of placement. Familty reunification is the primary goal of this program.

·        Supportive Adolescent Services (SAS) for youth 16-19. The goal of this program is for youth to reconnect with family and develop independent living skills.

School Treatment Programs:

·        Outpatient Mental Health Services and Day Treatment Mental Health Services are offered at school sites to help special education youth profit from their education.

Outpatient Programs:

·        Transition Program offers intensive services for seriously mentally ill young adults (18-21) to aid in developing and maintaining independent living skills.

·        Other SED Program offers outpatient services for youth with serious emotional disturbances who are at risk of out of home placement.

System Support Programs:

·        MERT Team offers a 24 hour Mobile Emergency Response Team to assess for hospitalization in psychiatric crisis.

·        Family Partnership Program is a parent run program which provides support groups and advocacy for mental health clients.

·        Cultural Competency Program is aimed at improving the cultural competence of services provided.

·        Intensive Family Support Program provides intensive services to support our mental health clients in periods of extreme stress.

ALTO Counseling Center.  Comprehensive outpatient chemical dependency program providing prevention, early intervention and treatment services. Emphasis on services to populations with special needs, such as Latinos, women, and criminal justice system referrals. Services available in English or Spanish.  For more information call (831) 423‑2003 in Santa Cruz or (831) 728‑2233 in Watsonville.

The Camp. A residential treatment center with medically supervised detox services.  Capacity: 49 adult and 20 adolescent beds. No bilingual or hearing impaired services.  For more information call (831) 438‑1868 or                                   1 (800) 924‑2879

County Office of Education. A drug abuse prevention and intervention program for adolescents enrolled in Alternative Education Program.  Interpreter for deaf available.  For more information call (831) 479-5330.

Drinking Driver Program Administration
County administration and coordination of privately contracted first and multiple offense Drinking Driver Program contracts.  Bilingual services available.  For more information call (831) 454‑4110.

Fenix Services. Comprehensive alcohol and drug treatment program providing individual, group and family counseling; education and prevention; information and referral; vocational rehabil­itation and job counseling; serving South County with primary emphasis on the Latino population and migrant workers.  Bilingual services available.  For more information call (831) 722‑5914.

Hermanas Residential Program (Fenix  Services).  Recovery home programs for women with alcohol and drug problems. 30‑90 day program.  Outreach services to Latino women.  For more information call (831) 722‑2471.

Janus of Santa Cruz.  Comprehensive chemical dependency treatment program providing social setting detoxification, residential treatment, outpatient services, residential and outpatient perinatal services, family educational services, and aftercare.  First and multiple offender drinking-driver programs.  Janus maintains a co-ed clean and sober living home in the area. Spanish language capacity. For more information call (831) 462-1060.

Mondanaro-Baskin Center (Janus).  Residential Treatment and Day Treatment programs available for women with children.  Recovery program promotes the health and well being of mothers and their children by offering life skills of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction in a safe environment oriented for women over the age of 18 years who are either pregnant or parenting children from ages infant to 17 years.  Bilingual services available.  For more information call  (831) 423‑9015.

New Life Center Community Service Program. Residential/Outpatient/Day Treatment services. Twelve step social model. Variable length of stay, six months or more. Clean and sober transitional housing. Relapse prevention, Alcohol & Drug education, case management, and after care. Bilingual/Multi-Cultural. For more information call (831) 427-1007.

Pajaro Valley Prevention & Student Assistance, Inc. Comprehensive school‑based alcohol and drug abuse prevention services, K‑12 curriculum, intervention program, and parent education.  Interpreter for deaf available. For more information call  (831) 728-6445.

Santa Cruz City Schools. The Santa Cruz City Schools (SCCS) provides school‑based alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse prevention services through a comprehensive K‑12 program.  The need for continued primary intervention services for elementary students (K-3) and their families is addressed in the program goals and objectives.  Prevention services are curriculum and activity based and integrated into a dis­trict wide program that includes a comprehensive substance abuse policy, staff and administrator training. For more information call (831) 429-3305.

Sobriety Works. The Sobriety Works Outpatient Program provides co-ed, 12 Step, social model, bilingual addiction treatment and education, case management and referrals.  Treatment includes individual and group therapy sessions used to facilitate the recovery process.  For more information call (831) 476-1747.

Sunflower House. Comprehensive treatment for alcohol and drug abusing adult men and women; 3 to 12 month prog­ram; job training; probation referrals. For more information call (831) 423‑3890.

TRIAD Santa Cruz Clinic.  Methadone Maintenance and Detox Program: Treatment for heroin and other opiate addicts.  Pre and Post HIV testing available. Bilingual services are available.  For more information call (831) 425‑0112.

TRIAD Scotts Valley. Outpatient counseling, intensive outpatient program for alcohol and other drugs, and aftercare program.  Services available for adolescents (ages 12-17) and their parents as well as adults and their partners.  Young Adult (up to age 20) First Offender Drinking Program.  Triad Community Services also provides prevention services to at-risk children in local elementary and secondary schools.  For more information call

(831) 438-3521 (24 hrs.).

Women’s crisis Support-Defensa De Mujeres. Counseling services for women with alcohol and drug abuse and/or domestic violence problems.  Individual, group, and family counseling. Ongoing support and education groups in both South and North County locations. For more information call  (831) 477‑4244 or (831) 429‑1478 crisis line.

Youth Services (A,D).  Outpatient Counseling services for youth (ages 12-18) with drug and alcohol abuse problems.  Individual, group, and family counseling. Bilingual services available. For more information call (831) 425‑0771 in Santa Cruz or (831) 728‑2226 in Watsonville.

Services Provided By Community Based Organizations and Contractors

Specialized 24-Hour Treatment Facilities

El Dorado Residential program provides an alternative to inpatient hospitalization and also serves as a discharge option from inpatient when the client is in need of intensive structure, supervision and treatment but no longer requires hospital based care. This is a 24- hour staffed facility with 16 beds.   Individuals in the residential program participate in the El Dorado Center Partial Hospitalization program during the day on the same campus.  For more information call (831) 479-9494.

Darwin House is a Long-Term Social Rehabilitation Program designed to prepare people for success in a more independent living setting within 18 months.  Residents play a major role in the day-to-day functioning of the residence.  The facility has a capacity of 15 beds and is located at 707 Darwin Street in Santa Cruz.  The Housing Council coordinates access to this facility.  For more information

call (831) 457-9091.

Opal Cliff offers a social rehabilitation residential treatment with a 15-bed capacity.   The program is designed to assist in transitioning clients into the community with a focus on independent living.  Access to Opal Cliff is coordinated by the Housing Council to prioritize need when there is a waiting list.  For more information call (831) 464-8694.

The Dominican Behavioral Health Unit is the acute psychiatric hospital for Santa Cruz County residents who meet medical necessity criteria for acute voluntary treatment or meet Welfare and Institutions Code 5150 criteria for involuntary psychiatric care.  For individuals admitted to the hospital who are served by one of the County’s Coordinated Care Teams, or who will need multidisciplinary team based care following discharge, the case coordinator is actively involved in the admission and discharge process.  For more information call (831) 462-7644.

Locked Skilled Nursing, MHRCs, & IMDs include facilities which are designed to provide services to individuals in need of a locked setting and are placed through a conservatorship due to chronic grave disability. County Mental Health arranges for these services at 7th Avenue Center in Santa Cruz, Crestwood in San Jose, and at Creekside in Sonoma County.  Typically individuals are placed in these settings from an acute inpatient hospital such as Dominican Behavioral Health Unit. There are also specialized beds in other locked facilities for older adults and adults with medical complications who need skilled nursing.

Paloma House is a 12-bed program for clients who have both a psychiatric disorder and substance abuse dependency. It provides a 90-day intensive residential treatment program and for those individuals requiring further support. An additional 90 days of transitional housing is available. This program is highly structured and incorporates an integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment model.  Referrals are accepted from County Mental Health Coordinators, Community Support Services Coordinators and Court ordered/probation referrals.  Contact David MacBryde at (831) 722-6599 for more information.

Pioneer House/Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program is an eight-bed program for men and women who are both chemically dependent and affected by schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression. Participants attend the Pioneer House Dual Diagnosis Day Treatment Program and live at the River Street Shelter. For more information contact at (831) 459-0444.

The River Street Shelter is a 32 bed emergency shelter for homeless adults. Nine of these beds are provided under contract with Santa Cruz County Mental Health in an effort to better serve the needs of the homeless mentally ill.  Two of these beds are designated for individuals in urgent need of treatment, but not meeting the criteria for involuntary inpatient psychiatric care.  The shelter opens daily at 5:00 p.m.  For information call Larry Overstreet @ (831) 459-6644.

Transition House offers transitional living, with a focus on independent living skills and teaching the client to live in a cooperative household. This ten (10) bed facility is staffed 24-hours a day and referral is coordinated through the Housing Council.  For more information call

Leticia Schwarz at 831-476-4184.

Jessie Street provides a combination of seven-apartments and fifteen Single Room Occupancies (SRO).  Mid-Peninsula Housing operates the facility.  For more information call 650-299-8000.

Supported Housing is a program of independent living with support services provided by Community Support Services and County Coordinators.  Approximately 110 beds are available.  Access is through the Housing Council.  The wait list is managed by Letitia Schwarz at (831) 476-4184.  SOHI housing (18 apartments),

Casa Linda housing (20 apartments) and Casa Exito (5 bedrooms) are accessed through CFSC Property Management.  For further information contact Linda Styles at (831) 469-1700. 

Front St., Inc. also offers 11 supported housing beds in Santa Cruz County. Darwin House provides support to the residents. Most, but not all residents are graduates of the Opal Cliff & Darwin House program.  For more information, please call (831)

457-9091.

The Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP) is a supported housing program for young adults 18-21 who have “aged-out” of the foster care system. Operated by Community Support Services, the program provides housing and case management services with a focus on teaching the independent living skills needed to make a successful transition to adult life. For more information, call Susan Paradise at (831) 459-0444.

Partial Hospital and Day Programs

Community Connection Academy is a full-day rehabilitation program for adults with psychiatric disabilities located at 300 Harvey West Blvd. Santa Cruz. The goal is to assist individuals in avoiding hospitalization, maintaining personal independence, and increasing community participation.  The program offers opportunities to learn new skills, socialize, develop a support system, become familiar with community resources, improve communication skills, and prepare for obtaining employment.  Participants join in such groups as group therapy, communication, exercise, art, cooking, gardening, symptom management, medication education, and drug/alcohol education. As part of its special vocational focus, the program provides opportunities to increase work skills and remove barriers to employment through volunteer work, employment preparation classes, and linkage to other Community Connection programs providing employment services. Program hours are 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; participants choose a schedule, which meets their needs.  For more information call (831) 425-8132.

Front Street Day Rehabilitation Program is located on the grounds of the Front Street Residential Care Facility.  The program is primarily, but not exclusively, open to Front Street residents.  The program offers a broad array of supportive therapeutic, social and recreational services seven days per week.  The staff consists of a variety of Mental Health disciplines including OTR’s, MFT, LCSW, MHRS, and LVN.  For more information call (831) 427-9343.

Willowbrook Intensive Day Treatment Program is a structured Day Treatment Program for residents of the Willowbrook Residential Care Facilities.  The program is a seven-day per week program and is designed to provide an alternative to higher level of care facilities.  Emphasis at Willowbrook is to empower residents to take more responsibility for their care and to acquire skills and motivation to live at a lower level of care.  Occupational Therapists, Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialists, a RN staff the program, and supportive psychotherapy groups run by an LMFT and an LCSW.  For more information call (831) 336-5199.

El Dorado Center (EDC) Partial Hospital Program offers the only partial hospitalization program in the county providing an intensive structured mental health treatment program to individuals at risk for acute hospitalization or for those requiring intensive treatment to support a

transition out of locked care. The program is open five days per week from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Program hours vary given client need.  Daily physician, medication and lab services are provided on-site.  Also will assist client with accessing needed medical resources. Services include therapy groups, rehabilitation groups, medication management, family therapy, crisis services, occupational therapy, symptom management, and dual recovery education groups.  Clients are referred to the program via Santa Cruz Behavioral Health Dept.  The program is located at 947 El Dorado Avenue in Santa Cruz.  For more information call (831) 479-7195.

Pioneer House Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program is a day treatment program geared to the treatment needs of high-risk individuals who have both psychiatric disorders as well as chemical dependency issues. These problems often create serious crisis situations where hospital care may be required. This program is a very structured seven days per week program to help individuals avoid hospitalization. It focuses on psychiatric and substance abuse treatment issues and includes therapy, medication, rehabilitation, and educational services. The program is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with additional treatment occurring in the afternoon and evening based on the individual treatment plan. 

The program is located at 290 Pioneer Street in Santa Cruz.  For more information call (831) 459-0444.

El Dorado Evening & Week-end Crisis Services Program provides urgent mental health services and intensive support services at 941 El Dorado Avenue, Santa Cruz in the evenings from 5: 00 p.m. to

11: 00 p.m., 7 days a week.  A call-in support line for clients who are having some difficulty is also provided. Staff encourages these individuals to come in for crisis support and counseling.  If needed, transportation can be provided. The program provides individual and group counseling, education and training on various topics, including symptom management. This program was designed to provide an alternative to hospital based crisis services after hours and weekends for individuals at risk and requiring specialized support. Crisis services are available to individuals not requiring a higher level of care.  For more information call (831) 479-0193.

Self-Help Resources

County Mental Health is committed to centers for clients and family members to provide peer support, activities, groups and education for one another. There are a number of organizations developed to provide individuals and families information and referral services.

The Community Organizers program  provided by Community Support Services (CSS) is dedicated to the empowerment of mental health clients. The program coordinates a variety of support, social, and educational activities for the clients who utilize mental health programs.  Internet access is available to participants. The activities and events are located throughout the County to facilitate access. For more information call (831) 462-4681. In Watsonville, call (831) 763-1345.

The Mariposa Activity Center is a drop-in and activity center operated by the CSS Community Organizers.  The Activity Center is located at 12 Carr Street in Watsonville. The center publishes a full calendar of activities every month that includes cooking classes, computer classes, WRAP groups and Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA) meetings in addition to regular group outings.  Internet access is available to center participants. Contact Gloria Fernandez at (831) 763-1345 for more information.

The Mental Health Client Action Network (MHCAN) Drop-in Center is a client run program offering a range of supports and social amenities including coffee, phone access, and a place to socialize or get information about community and mental health resources.  MHCAN also offers art, writing, guitar classes, peer support groups and hospital visiting.  A computer lab offers Internet access and homework assistance.  MHCAN will provide rides to MHCAN, River Street Shelter, doctors, and therapists. MHCAN is Currently open 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. including most County holidays, except Sundays. 

MHCAN is located at 1051 Cayuga/Soquel Avenue in Santa Cruz. For more information and current monthly schedules, contact Bonnie Schell at (831) 469-0462.

The Mental Health Resource Center (MHRC) is a program of the Volunteer Center.  It offers education, information referrals, technical assistance, community outreach and volunteer opportunities for people with psychiatric disabilities, their families, friends, teachers, colleagues, employers and therapists.  For more information call (831) 458-1923.

Vocational/Employment Resources

Community Connection Custom Mailing Services is an in-house, competitive mailing service, located at 300 Harvey West Blvd., in Santa Cruz, which hires individuals with psychiatric disabilities and offers quality service and competitive prices to the community.  By working at Custom Mailing Services (CMS), individuals have the opportunity to gain work experience, earn a paycheck, and learn all facets of the bulk mail business. Some workers move up to supervisor positions within the mailing service, while others use the work experience as preparation for competitive employment in the community.  For more information call (831) 425-8132. 

Career Services is a program of Community Connection, which assists individuals in choosing, preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining employment.  Participants set their individual career goals and take advantage of the various support services available.  There are classes to assist individuals in determining career goals and in identifying and removing barriers to employment.  Job-search assistance is available, including help with resumes, applications, and employer contacts. Individuals may also receive assistance in maintaining their employment including job coaching, weekly job-support group and individual support from Career Services staff as needed.  This component has offices at 300 Harvey West Blvd., in Santa Cruz and at 10 Carr Street in Watsonville. For more information call (831) 425-8132 or (831) 768-8132.

The College Connection component of Career Services provides support, academic guidance, and practical assistance for individuals who choose to pursue education at the community college in preparation for their career goal. College Connection is located within Disabled Students Services at Cabrillo College and can be reached at (831) 479-6512.

Legal & Advocacy Resources

LMHB:  The Local Mental Health Board (LMHB) meets the first Monday of each month.  The Board consists of client, family members, and community representatives from the County’s five supervisorial districts.  For schedule, agenda, & minutes, contact the County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Administration, (831) 454-4767.

Ombudsman/Advocate, Inc.  is an independent, federally and state-mandated, non–profit agency.  Ombudsman/Advocate, Inc. provides help to people who are in nursing, residential care and mental health facilities. Patients Rights Advocacy Services acts as an advocate for the interests and concerns of mental health clients. In particular, serving as a voice for those persons who are unable to speak for themselves.  The Ombudsman/Advocate, Inc. office is located at 333 Front Street, Suite 101 in Santa Cruz, CA  95060.  For more information call (831) 429-1913.

Board & Care Facilities

Access to these Board and Care facilities is limited to the persistently and seriously mentally disabled population and is coordinated through the Housing Council.

Front Street Residential Care Facility is a 47-bed residential care facility located near downtown Santa Cruz.  There is an associated day rehabilitation program on site.  For more information call (831) 427-3387.

WRC 1 & 2 (a.k.a. Willowbrook) Residential Care Facilities consists of a 34-bed adult residential care facility and a 6 bed residential care facility for the elderly.  The facility consists of 4 small housing units and a 19 bed building in a beautiful creek side setting.  There is an associated intensive day treatment center on the grounds. For more information, call (831) 336-5196.

Rose Acres has 34 board and care beds in the San Lorenzo Valley area.  For more information call (831) 335-1925.

Other Santa Cruz County Resources

National Alliance for the Mentally III (NAMI) offers education and support for family members of those with mental illness.  For more information call (831) 427-8020 or write NAMI, PO Box 360, Santa Cruz, CA 95061.

Mood Matters Association provides a support group for individuals with mood disorders.  This group meets every Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at 1051 Cayuga and Soquel Avenue.

Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA) offers

12- step groups for individuals with a mental disorder and a substance abuse problem.  Call (831) 454-9620 for more information.