Healing the Streets (HTS) is a new program that provides services to people experiencing homelessness who have mental health needs and may also be using substances like drugs and alcohol in a way that negatively impacts their lives. HTS provides supportive case management services that includes access to physical and behavioral health care and housing assistance. This program combines street medicine with an expanded level of behavioral health services, case management and peer support using a Critical Time Intervention model, and connection to housing navigation and housing support funds (for those who are eligible). County partners and key stakeholders work together to serve community members experiencing homelessness in the cities of Watsonville and Santa Cruz. The HTS program is funded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA).
HTS services are focused on serving people wherever they are and delivered in a field-based team and mobile health van, in partnership with our County’s Homeless Persons Health Project (HPHP). The HPHP Street Medicine Program is a primary care and outreach response team designed to address the critical need to support people experiencing homelessness in Santa Cruz County. Core to the model of the HTS program, is that all services are designed to be low-barrier, self-directed, and includes a harm reduction orientation to ensure authentic client-centered interactions.
A value of the HTS team is to take the lead from clients in setting goals and accessing services that they identify as a priority. The core HTS team (composed of County Behavioral Health staff and contracted Front St. Inc. case manager and peer staff members) work with key Health Services Agency staff across divisions to provide low barrier access to services and to increase client engagement.
HTS staff work collaboratively with a multitude of Watsonville and Santa Cruz agencies serving vulnerable populations that are experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges.
The HTS team works alongside these agencies to support clients in need in the following areas:
The qualifications to enroll into HTS are:
Interested in enrolling into Healing the Streets? Use our referral form to contact us or call us at (831) 454-4352. One of our Healing the Streets team members will respond and let you know what you need to qualify.