Ann and Peggy Butler Manage Santa Cruz Residential Care Facilities

Santa Cruz Residential Care Homes

Twenty years ago Peggy Butler opened a six bed board and care adult residential home for the mentally ill in San Jose. Today, with her daughter Ann, they contract with our County Mental Health System to provide many programs and facilities for our family members.

Richard Nanas told us about Front Street, Opal Cliff, Darwin House, WRC (formerly Willowbrook) and the other successful programs that Front Street Inc. provides for those with severe psychiatric disabilities. Richard Nanas, Peggy & Ann Butler

The Butlers purchased 7th Avenue formerly Harbor Hills in 1992 but were unable to take control of the facility until 1999. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the facility, 7th Avenue is the only locked psychiatric treatment facility in Santa Cruz County. Only people who are conserved through the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act are admitted. The act states that only those people that are a danger to themselves, a danger to others or gravely disabled can be forced into psychiatric treatment. The photo shows (from left to right) Richard Nanas, Peggy Butler and Ann Butler.

Kathy Champlin director of 7th Avenue provided us with a long list of accomplishments since 1/1/2000. (Call 427-8020 for a copy) The most significant item is the change of licensing from a skilled nursing facility to a Mental Health Rehabilitation Center as of 10/1/2001. What that will mean in terms of treatment for those in the facility is still unclear but we are looking forward to see the change in programming. The facility houses 99 patients. Only 20 of those are from Santa Cruz County while the remainder are from Santa Clara County, Monterey County and other counties outside of the area. The challenges are overwhelming, the building is antiquated and inappropriate for its current use, but Ann Butler is determined to make the necessary improvements to ensure our family members receive the most humane and compassionate care possible.

We are extremely fortunate to have the Butlers as service providers for the psychiatric disabled in Santa Cruz County. They have improved every facility and program that they have purchased and managed. 7th Avenue will certainly be a difficult challenge but their commitment and willingness to respect the clients and families is commendable.

Did you know?

Some very vocal neighbors on Willowbrook Drive demanded that the Butlers change the name from Willowbrook to WRC because they were concerned about the stigma that they might receive if people would associate the facility (for mental health clients) with the street and themselves.

Although its name had been Willowbrook for 25 years the Butlers reluctantly but graciously changed the name to WRC. They also changed the minimum age requirement from 18 to 25 because of neighborhood pressure.

It is unfortunate that this kind of overt prejudice still exists in America today, but it is our hope that all people regardless of race or disability should never have to feel stigmatized.

Community Support Services

Community Support Services provides mental health services to Santa Cruz County Adults with severe mental illness and, frequently, co-occurring chemical dependency. Services include treatment, recreational and social activities, and housing. They served 1,800 psychiatrically disabled adults this year.

The River Street Shelter: a 32-bed emergency shelter.

The Transition House:10-bed residential program

Pioneer House: a day treatment program for men and women who are chemically dependent and affected by severe mental illness.

Dual Diagnosis Day Treatment Program and Paloma House: residential and out-patient settings for adults who are chemically dependent and affected by severe mental illness.

The Mental Health Services Coordination Team provides case management, rehabilitation, crisis intervention services.

Community Organizers provide peer support that assists consumers.

Supported Housing Program provides stable, permanent housing that mental health consumers can afford.

The El Dorado Center: a community-based crises stabilization program for individuals with serious psychiatric disability.

The Mariposa Center: a resource center for adults with psychiatric disabilities and their families.

Teen Transitional Housing Program provides transitional housing for 18 to 20 year olds aging out of foster care and learning independent living skills.

Opinions expressed in this web site do not necessarily reflect the views of NAMI Santa Cruz County, NAMI California or any affiliated organizations. We attempt to present a balanced perspective on issues by presenting multiple viewpoints.

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