Santa Cruz County
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Resources

In a collaborative effort between Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health, all local law enforcement jurisdictions, the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Criminal Justice Council, a local curriculum for Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training for Law Enforcement has been developed. The training is modeled on national CIT trainings to provide law enforcement agencies and personnel with knowledge and skills to interface with an individual in crisis. The curriculum includes education on major mental health conditions, trauma, suicidality, veteran issues, family and consumer experience, and active de-escalation. This website is for review and easy access to resource referrals from the CIT training.

Severe Mental Illness

Children and Youth

  • The Access Team evaluates all requests for non-emergency services for anyone not currently receiving services from County Mental Health or community providers who are part of the mental health system.
  • Child Protective Services provides protection for children who are at risk of, or are experiencing physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, or emotional or physical neglect. The focus is on the safety of the child and support for parents to strengthen families and promote safe nurturing homes for children.
  • The Santa Cruz County Crisis Stabilization Program (CSP) is a locked crisis program. It is a safe, welcoming, recovery-focused place for people who are experiencing a mental health crisis, and need a little extra support to regain stability.
  • National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI) Santa Cruz County offers practical experience, support, education, comfort and understanding to anyone concerned about mental illnesses and their treatment.
  • Special Parents Information Network (SPIN) - Parents of children with special needs may feel isolated and overwhelmed with the medical, emotional, financial, educational and social issues they face as they raise their child. SPIN is a non-profit parent-to-parent support and information network serving parents, guardians and families in Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties who have a child or children with special needs of any age.

CIT Training & Information Resources

Dementia & Alzheimer’s

  • Adult Protective Services provides intervention services to protect elderly and dependent adults from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
  • Alzheimer’s Association  To provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

Developmental Disabilities

  • San Andreas Regional Center is a community-based, private nonprofit corporation that is funded by the State of California to serve people with developmental disabilities as required by the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act.
  • Special Parents Information Network (SPIN) - Parents of children with special needs may feel isolated and overwhelmed with the medical, emotional, financial, educational and social issues they face as they raise their child. SPIN is a non-profit parent-to-parent support and information network serving parents, guardians and families in Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties who have a child or children with special needs of any age.
  • Adult Protective Services provides intervention services to protect elderly and dependent adults from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Homeless Resources

Managing Officer Stress

Substance Abuse

  • The Access Team evaluates all requests for non-emergency services for anyone not currently receiving services from County Mental Health or community providers who are part of the mental health system.
  • Janus - For 40 years, Janus has been helping people find a path to recovery.
  • New Life Santa Cruz - based on twelve-step social model that utilizes individualized treatment planning, group therapy, educational classes and other therapeutic components that may be needed.
  • Sobriety Works is a California state licensed addiction treatment center dedicated to the treatment of adults experiencing substance use disorders.
  • Encompass Community Services-Recovery Services - Working Toward Life-long Recovery from Alcohol and Other Drug Dependency 

Suicide

  • Call 911 - If it is an emergency call.
  • The Access Team evaluates all requests for non-emergency services for anyone not currently receiving services from County Mental Health or community providers who are part of the mental health system.
  • Suicide Prevention Service - Call and speak confidentially with one of our trained volunteers if experiencing increased anxiety and/or depression, general hopelessness, changes in mood, sleep, or eating patterns, increased drug and/or alcohol use, grief over losing a loved one to suicide.
  • Text 741741 - Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information via a medium people already use and trust:

Survivors of Suicide

  • Call 911 - If it is an emergency call.
  • The Access Team evaluates all requests for non-emergency services for anyone not currently receiving services from County Mental Health or community providers who are part of the mental health system.
  • Suicide Prevention Service - Call and speak confidentially with one of our trained volunteers if experiencing increased anxiety and/or depression, general hopelessness, changes in mood, sleep, or eating patterns, increased drug and/or alcohol use, grief over losing a loved one to suicide.
  • Text 741741 - Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information via a medium people already use and trust:
  • Loss Support Groups - Support Groups for anyone that has lost someone to suiside.
  • Survivors of Suicide or Loss - Support resources
  • Surviving a Suicide Loss: Resource and Healing Guide - "Together, we have created this resource guide from our own experiences, hoping it will touch, inform and guide you on your own journey of healing."

Veterans Resources

Other Resource Links