Child and Youth System of Care

County behavioral health clinics and contracted agencies provide ongoing behavioral health care to children, youth, and young adults (ages 0–21) who have been screened and determined eligible for Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS). Following entry into care, the teams partner with youth and caregivers to complete comprehensive assessments, develop individualized treatment plans, and deliver medically necessary services.

Services may include individual, family, and group therapy; care coordination; collateral services; crisis intervention; and psychiatric services when indicated. The teams deliver services at their clinic sites across the County, with the ability to provide services via telehealth and in other community-based settings as clinically appropriate. Care is trauma-informed, culturally and linguistically responsive, family-centered, and coordinated with schools, primary care, and other involved systems to support stability, recovery, and improved functioning at home, school, and in the community.

Individuals may contact the County Access line (1-800-952-2335) or one of the County’s contracted community-based providers listed below to directly request services or learn more about available behavioral health supports.

Pajaro Valley Unified School District-Based Services

County Children’s Behavioral Health partners with the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) to provide Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMS) to special education–eligible students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). PVUSD refers students who have an IEP and require behavioral health support in order to access their education.

Services are designed to support students’ emotional and behavioral well-being within the educational setting and may be delivered on campus or as part of a Special Day Class program, also known as the RISE Academy. These school-based services are coordinated with educational teams to promote student engagement, learning, and overall success in school.

Learn about the process of qualifying for an IEP: Pajaro Valley USD - Student Support Services.

Please note, PVUSD is a single district Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). They oversee and provide educational services for district students with an IEP.

• For children living outside of PVUSD, the North County SELPA school districts and the County Office of Education provide their own counseling services to eligible Special Education pupils.
• Both the PVUSD and North Santa Cruz County SELPA’s are committed to serving special education students by providing equal access to resources and a comprehensive education.

County School Services/Education Gate

County Children’s Behavioral Health Education Gate provides a direct pathway for schools to refer Medi-Cal–eligible students for Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) when concerns arise about a student’s social, emotional, or behavioral needs. In collaboration with youth, families, and school-based social-emotional counselors, Education Gate helps identify students who may benefit from specialty mental health support beyond what is available in the school setting.

This program also serves students attending Alternative Education sites who have not been successful in traditional public school environments and require additional behavioral health support to engage in their education. County Office of Education (COE) staff make direct referrals to Children’s Behavioral Health, and eligible students receive services from the County’s clinical team. Services are coordinated with educational partners to support student well-being, school participation, and positive educational outcomes.

County Children’s Social Services (CSS)

The County Children's Social Services (CSS) Team provides Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) for children and youth ages birth –21 who are involved with the Child Welfare System. This includes youth who are living in foster care or residential treatment, as well as children and families who are at risk of removal due to abuse or neglect.

Services focus on supporting children’s emotional well-being, strengthening families, and helping youth remain safely at home whenever possible. When children are in foster care, the team works closely with families and caregivers to support reunification or help youth achieve a safe and stable permanent home. Referrals to the CSS Team are made by social workers from the Department of Family and Children’s Services (FCS).

These services are provided under Medi-Cal which ensures that eligible children and youth receive the right level of mental health care in their homes and communities. Depending on a child’s needs, services may include Intensive Care Coordination (ICC), Intensive Home-Based Services (IHBS), and other specialized mental health services. The team works closely with child welfare, schools, healthcare providers, and community partners to provide coordinated, family-centered care. Services are designed to help children feel safe, supported, and emotionally healthy at home, in school, and in their communities.

Referrals:

Referrals are made by social workers from the Department of Family and Children’s Services (FCS). If a youth is currently involved with FCS, their assigned Social Worker can directly connect the youth to services.

Encompass Community Service - Families Together Program

Encompass’ Families Together Program is a collaborative, multi-agency team serving families in Santa Cruz County who are at risk for child abuse or neglect. The program works to strengthen family safety, child development, and relationships, with the goal of reducing re-referrals to the Department of Family and Children’s Services (FCS). Families Together uses a home-visiting, client-centered approach to provide counseling, parenting support, and case management. Caregivers partner with the team to create an individualized service plan that reflects their strengths, needs, and goals.

Referrals are made by Santa Cruz County Family and Children’s Services (FCS) or CalWORKs. Eligible families must have at least one child 0-5 years of age.

Referrals: 831-662-1303

Families Together is a collaborative program partnering with local and national initiatives.

For more information about Differential Response, please visit the California Department of Social Services website.

Learn more about the Santa Cruz County’s Thrive by Five initiative.

Encompass Community Service - Transition Age Youth (TAY) Services

Services are provided in the Transitional Housing Program (THP) and Independent Living Program (ILP) to support current and former foster care and probation-involved youth ages 15–21 in building independent living skills and achieving educational and vocational goals, to promote a successful transition to self-sufficiency.

Referrals: 831-226-3536

Haven of Hope’s STAY (Supporting Transitional Age Youth) Program

The Supporting Transitional Age Youth program is designed to bridge the gap between foster care and successful adulthood. It is a licensed placement under the Transitional Housing Placement Plus for Non-Minor Dependents program and serves non-minor dependents ages 18 to 21.

Haven of Hope’s Supporting Transitional Age Youth program offers eligible young adults up to 36 months of additional support in a safe and stable living environment. Rather than ending support when youth exit the child welfare system, the program allows young adults to remain connected while they build essential life skills. Services are delivered in a setting that is flexible, supportive, and developmentally appropriate, helping participants strengthen independence and prepare for long-term self-sufficiency.

Presumptive Transfer

Presumptive Transfer is a process that helps ensure children and youth in foster care or on probation receive timely Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) when they are placed outside their home county but still within California.

Under Assembly Bill (AB) 1299, responsibility for arranging SMHS is temporarily transferred from the youth’s county of original jurisdiction to the county where the youth currently resides. This allows services to begin quickly without unnecessary delays.

Presumptive Transfers must be made by the youth’s assigned Social Worker or Probation Officer. If you’re a caregiver or community member with questions, please reach out to the youth’s assigned worker for assistance.

For information or to provide notification of Presumptive Transfer, please contact:
Adilene Hernandez
Program Coordinator
Email: Adilene.Hernandez@SantaCruzCountyCa.Gov
Phone: 831-454-4943
Fax: 831-454-4916

County Juvenile Justice Services

The County Behavioral Health Juvenile Justice Team provides Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) to children, youth, and young adults ages 12–21 who are involved with the Division of Juvenile Probation. Working in close partnership with probation officers, families, schools, and community providers, the team delivers coordinated, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive services that address behavioral health needs while supporting accountability, rehabilitation, and positive development.

Services are individualized and community-based whenever possible, with a focus on stabilization, skill-building, and reducing further system involvement, while helping youth strengthen relationships and move toward long-term well-being and successful transitions to adulthood.

Referrals:
Referrals are made by Probation Officers from the Juvenile Division of the Department of Probation. If a youth is currently involved with Juvenile Probation, their assigned Probation Officer can directly connect the youth to behavioral health services.

The Evening Center

The Santa Cruz Evening Center is a collaborative program between the Juvenile Division of the Probation Department and County Children's Behavioral Health that serves as a structured, treatment-focused alternative to detention. Designed as an immediate response for probation-involved youth experiencing behavioral health challenges, difficulty complying with conditions of probation, or new violations, the Evening Center provides short-term, intensive support while allowing youth to remain in their communities.

Youth may be referred by the Juvenile Court for a brief period of participation, typically ranging from 12 to 30 days, as an alternative to detention or out-of-home placement, and may be ordered to attend as often as the Court deems appropriate. The program operates Monday through Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with transportation and meals provided to reduce barriers to participation and support consistent engagement.

Juvenile Hall

Behavioral health services at Santa Cruz County Juvenile Hall are provided by County Children's Behavioral Health staff on-site seven days a week. The services include timely mental health screening, assessment, and treatment for detained youth, delivered in a trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive manner. Care is coordinated with probation, child welfare, education, and medical providers to support youths’ safety, emotional well-being, and legal permanency goals. Services emphasize care coordination and transition planning, including discharge planning that connects youth to appropriate community-based behavioral health services, primary care, and supportive resources upon release, with the goal of promoting continuity of care, reducing recidivism, and supporting successful reintegration into the community.

Please note that Juvenile Hall, the Ranch Camp, and the Secure Youth Treatment Facility (SYTF) operate on a shared campus, with County Children’s Behavioral Health staff providing behavioral health services across all programs.

Encompass Community Services – Wraparound Program

The Wraparound Program is designed to help families and youth stay together safely in their homes and communities. Wraparound provides individualized support for children and youth who are at imminent risk of out-of-home placement by strengthening family connections, enhancing safety, and building on family and youth strengths.

Wraparound places families at the center of all decision-making. Care teams work collaboratively with the family to identify goals, create personalized plans, and connect youth and caregivers with the services and supports they need to succeed. These strengths-based, family-driven services support overall well-being and help youth thrive in their homes, schools, and communities.

Services are culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and focused on each family’s unique vision for success. The Wraparound Program partners with caregivers, youth, schools, community providers, and other supports to promote stability, resilience, and long-term positive outcomes.

This program is a collaboration between the Juvenile Division of the Probation Department, County Children's Behavioral Health, and Encompass.

Referrals

Referrals are made by Probation Officers from the Juvenile Division of the Department of Probation. If a youth is currently involved with Juvenile Probation, their assigned Probation Officer can directly connect the youth to behavioral health services.

For more information, please contact:
Call 831-316-2205
Email: wraparound@encompasscs.org