Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health provides different court and justice involved programs and services designed to support individuals with serious and persistent mental health challenges who are involved in the criminal justice system. These services address barriers to community reintegration, including difficulties accessing treatment, employment, housing, and other essential support systems with a goal of helping individual successfully exit the justice system. Listed below are some of the initiatives and teams which are supported by Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health along with our community partners.

The Maintaining Ongoing Stability through Treatment (MOST) team provides specialized mental health services for individuals involved in the criminal justice system. The team delivers evidence-based, wraparound care that includes case management, psychiatry, psychotherapy, and employment skill development. They also coordinate with probation, the courts, law enforcement, and jail staff to support discharge planning, case disposition, and ongoing stability.

Mental health clinicians collaborate closely with clients and Probation staff to create individualized service plans that address clients’ mental health needs while building skills to reduce criminal behavior and lower recidivism within the justice system.

Behavioral Health Court
Behavioral Health Court’s goal is to support participants, charged or convicted of a qualifying offense, in improving their mental health and wellness, enabling them to meet court requirements and successfully transition out of the criminal justice system. Participating agencies include Behavioral Health, Probation, the Public Defender’s Office, private attorneys, and the District Attorney’s Office. Representatives from these agencies meet with the participant and the Behavioral Health Court judge every other week to support progress and monitor treatment.

It takes most participants about one year to complete the three required stages, with each stage lasting four months. Participants attend court every two weeks during the first stage and monthly during stages two and three.

The Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act program is now available for all Santa Cruz County residents who meet certain eligibility requirements. This statewide initiative creates a new pathway in California to deliver mental health and substance use disorder treatment in addition to supportive services to community members with untreated schizophrenia spectrum or other specific psychotic disorders.

To learn more about the CARE Act Program, including eligibility and resources, visit the Santa Cruz County CARE act webpage.

Support Before Release and After Reentry

The CalAIM Justice-Involved Initiative helps people leaving jail or prison get the care they need. Services begin before release and continue after returning to the community.

Initiatives chart
 

What This Program Does

This program helps eligible individuals:

  • Apply for or restart Medi-Cal before release
  • Connect to medical and behavioral health care
  • Get support for a smooth and healthy return to the community The goal is to improve health, reduce gaps in care, and support successful reentry.

Who This Helps

This program supports:

  • Youth and adults in state prisons, county jails, and youth correctional facilities
  • People who are eligible for Medi-Cal
  • Individuals with physical health, mental health, or substance use needs

Services Before Release

Medi-Cal Application and Coverage

Starting January 1, 2023:

  • Counties must help people apply for Medi-Cal before release
  • If someone already has Medi-Cal, it may be paused (not canceled) during incarceration
  • Coverage can be quickly restarted after release

Behavioral Health Support (Behavioral Health Links)

Launched October 1, 2024

Behavioral Health Links help people continue care after they leave custody. This ensures there is no gap in treatment.

Before release, individuals are connected to the right services based on their needs:

  • Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS)
    For individuals with significant mental health needs
    → Connected to a County mental health provider before release
  • Substance Use Treatment (DMC or DMC-ODS)
    For individuals who need medication-assisted treatment or have a substance use disorder
    → Connected to a treatment provider before release
  • Medi-Cal Managed Care Support
    For individuals with mild to moderate needs
    → Care is coordinated through their health plan

How Referrals Work

  • Correctional facilities can refer individuals to Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health for services
  • Youth referrals are coordinated through the Juvenile Probation Department using established procedures A referral link will be available soon.

Why This Matters

The CalAIM Justice-Involved Initiative:

  • Helps people get care sooner
  • Reduces gaps in treatment after release
  • Supports better health outcomes
  • Promotes equity across communities

California is the first state to offer these services before release through a federal Medicaid waiver.

Questions or Need Help?

If you have questions, contact our team:
JICalAIMBHLinkages@santacruzcountyca.gov
Subject line: CalAIM BH Links

Please include whether your question is about:

  • An adult facility
  • A youth correctional facility