Behavioral Health & Social Services (Adult Services, Children's Services, and Mental Health & Substance Use Recovery)

The Children's Services Branch provides services to support children’s safety and mental well being. This Branch investigates alleged abuse and neglect of children, licenses foster homes, provides child welfare services for families under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court and provides adoption services. This Branch also provides Specialty Mental Health Plan services for Medi-Cal beneficiaries up to 21 years of age. Children and youth with Medi-Cal can access mental health and drug and alcohol services through this Branch. Children’s additionally works collaboratively with Juvenile Justice and Educational Agencies to provide services for children.

The Adult Services Branch focuses on a variety of issues that typically impact people 18 years of age or older. Mental Health services include: ongoing outpatient services primarily to Medi-Cal recipients; crisis evaluations during business hours at the Breslauer clinic or local emergency rooms after hours; placement services to both inpatient psychiatric hospitals and long-term secured residential facilities; crisis residential services for up to 30 days on a voluntary basis, and; referrals to local non-profit organizations. Drug/Alcohol services include: the Addicted Offender Program (AOP) in conjunction with Shasta County Superior Courts, and; a variety of outpatient and residential services provided through one of its contracted providers - Empire Recovery Center, Right Roads, or Visions of the Cross. The Adult Services Branch is also responsible for a variety of social service programs including: Adult Protective Services (APS) – following up on reports of potential elder/dependent adult abuse; In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) – helping Medi-Cal recipients needing assistance with daily activities in order to remain safely in their own homes; Public Authority – keeping a registry that helps IHSS recipients find caregivers to provide care, and; Public Guardian office – helping people who are unable to manage their personal and/or financial affairs and require formal appointment of a ‘guardian’ or ‘conservator’. The Adult Services Branch also retains administrative oversight responsibilities with regard to programs funded through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).