Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based practice that helps people living with significant mental health or substance use needs find and maintain competitive employment in the community to support their recovery. IPS is part of a person’s mental health treatment, and the team works with them to look for jobs quickly based on what they want to do, it is person-centered and emphasizes a person’s strengths, goals, and preferences. Participation in IPS supports improved employment outcomes as well as improved self-esteem, independence, sense of belonging, and overall health and wellbeing. IPS has been shown to be effective among a wide range of individuals living with mental health conditions, substance use disorders (SUDs), and co-occurring mental health conditions and SUDs.

Career services are provided in partnership with the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County. Please visit their Community Connection for Mental Health webpage for more information.

Locked Care Services
These services provide involuntary treatment for individuals who are a danger to self, a danger to others or gravely disabled due to a mental disorder. They are either on a 72-hour hold or LPS conservatorship.
 - Santa Cruz County Psychiatric Health Facility is the acute psychiatric hospital for Santa Cruz County residents who meet medical necessity criteria for acute voluntary treatment or meet Welfare and Institutions Code 5150 criteria for involuntary psychiatric care. For individuals admitted to the facility who are served by one of the County's Coordinated Care Teams, or who will need multidisciplinary team-based care following discharge, the case coordinator is actively involved in the admission and discharge process.
 - Locked Skilled Nursing, Mental Health Rehabilitation Centers (MHRCs) and Institutions for Mental Disease (IMDs) include facilities that are designed to provide services to individuals in need of a locked setting and are placed through a conservatorship due to chronic grave disability. County Mental Health arranges for these services at multiple facilities throughout the greater Monterey and San Francisco Bay areas. Typically, individuals are placed in these settings from an acute inpatient hospital such as Santa Cruz County Psychiatric Health Facility. There are also specialized beds in other locked facilities for older adults and adults with medical complications who need skilled nursing.

Crisis Stabilization Program
Santa Cruz County Crisis Stabilization Program provides crisis assessment, crisis intervention and post-crisis planning for individuals experiencing a psychiatric emergency. This is an outpatient service of less than 24 hours. If you would benefit from intensive services of the Santa Cruz County Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF), you will be screened by PHF staff to determine if you are appropriate for admission.

Supported Housing Services
Supported Housing Services are offered to qualifying Adult System of Care Clients through a collaboration among Santa Cruz County staff, Front St. Inc., and Encompass Community Services. This team includes licensed psychiatric technicians for medication support, Occupational Therapists, care coordinators, employment specialists, and peer counselors. For more information, please visit our partner agencies’ webpages listed below.

 - Front St., Inc.
 - Encompass Community Services

Santa Cruz County Substance Use Disorders Services

Santa Cruz County Health Centers

Santa Cruz County Public Guardian

Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County Community Connection for Mental Health — Outpatient mental health services focusing on pre-employment skill building, mental health education, healthy lifestyle education, recovery, wellness, socialization, peer support and community integration. Bilingual/bicultural services offered.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Santa Cruz County — Offers education and support for individuals experiencing mental health challenges and their loved ones