The Behavioral Health Access Team is the first step for getting behavioral health services from Santa Cruz County.  Our Access line is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Call 800-952-2335 for support.

The Access Team helps people connect to non-emergency mental health and substance use services, including those who are not currently receiving care through County Mental Health or a partner provider.

Call us or visit in person. Staff will help connect you to services in North and South Santa Cruz County.

Our services include:

  • Bilingual (English and Spanish) assessment from our mental health clinicians. Translation services are also available for most languages. 
  • Suicide prevention
  • Crisis intervention
  • Mental health referrals
  • Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services
  • Community resource connections

Cost:

  • While our services are primarily for individuals with Medi-Cal, no one is denied crisis services due to their inability to pay.
  • Other insurance options may be reviewed and verified at intake.

Ages Served:

Services available for individuals 18 years and older. For individuals younger than 18, please refer to Child and Youth System of Care.

All calls and walk-ins are confidential.

Walk-in Services

Monday – Fridays
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
(Excluding Holidays)

  • Check in with receptionist
  • Complete registration packet
  • Health benefits will be verified
  • Meet with Access team clinician

North County

1400 Emeline Ave. Building K, 2nd Floor
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: 831-454-4170

South County

1430 Freedom Blvd. Suite F
Watsonville, CA 95076
Phone: 831-763-8200

 

The ACCESS clinician may:

  • Complete a brief screening used to understand mental health needs and determine appropriate level of care
  • Schedule a follow-up appointment with Access
  • Complete a short assessment used to evaluate substance use and recommend treatment level
    • Send a referral to County Substance Use Disorder Services and partner providers for appropriate level of care
  • Refer you to Central California Alliance for Health or appropriate care

800-952-2335

When calling:

  • Provide information to fee clerks
  • Health benefits will be verified
  • The individual who is seeking services should be available to speak with County staff.
    • If you are calling on behalf of someone else, general information will be provided.
  • You will be asked to consent to screening over the phone and to receiving services through telehealth
  • The rest of the referral process is the same as walk-ins.

If scheduled for a full Access assessment:

  • Complete registration packet (if not already completed)
  • Meet with Access clinician for full assessment
  • A Release of Information (ROI) may be requested

After the assessment:
Depending on symptom severity, people will be linked to the mental health services that fit them best, either through County Mental Health Services or another organization that provides mental health care.

  • Moderate to severe symptoms: Eligible for County Specialty Mental Health Services. A psychiatric intake appointment will be scheduled.
  • Mild to moderate symptoms: You will be referred to the Central California Alliance for Health or other appropriate level of care.