Navigating the landscape of mental health and substance use services can be challenging. For residents of Alameda County, the Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services Access Program serves as the central point of contact, simplifying this process. Often referred to as the ACCESS Program, this vital service offers information, screening, and referrals to a comprehensive network of mental health and substance use treatment options across Alameda County. If you or someone you know is seeking support, understanding the ACCESS Program is the first step towards accessing the care you need.
What is the Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services Access Program?
The ACCESS Program is designed to be the front door for Alameda County residents seeking behavioral health services. Operating as a telephone service during standard business hours (8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday), ACCESS is staffed by licensed mental health clinicians and administrative professionals. These experts are equipped to answer general inquiries about behavioral health, conduct initial screenings, and guide individuals towards the most appropriate services. For calls received outside of these hours, Crisis Support Services of Alameda County provides after-hours support, ensuring that help is always available. The ACCESS program is available to individuals of all ages residing in Alameda County.
Who is Eligible for the ACCESS Program?
The ACCESS Program is available to all residents of Alameda County. While the program itself is accessible to everyone for information and referrals, eligibility for Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) through Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services (ACBHCS) is determined by specific criteria. To qualify for SMHS, individuals must:
- Meet Medi-Cal’s medical necessity criteria for specialty mental health services.
- Have an ACBHCS insurance plan. This includes Alameda County Medi-Cal, Children and Family Services (CFS) plans, Health Program of Alameda County (HealthPAC), CalWorks, Medically Indigent Child (MIC), and Medicare/Medi-Cal (for services not covered by Medicare).
It’s important to note that the Affordable Care Act has expanded access to mental health services. Since January 1, 2014, Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCPs) and Primary Care Providers (PCPs) are responsible for providing mental health services for beneficiaries with mild to moderate impairments. Individuals with moderate to severe impairments who meet medical necessity criteria will receive specialty mental health services through ACBHCS. The MCPs in Alameda County include Alameda Alliance and Kaiser. Alameda Alliance partners with Beacon Health Options to manage their mental health services.
For clarification on whether to seek services through your PCP, MCP, or the County Mental Health Plan (MHP), ACBHCS and Beacon Health Options have developed screening tools for different age groups (Child 0-5, Child 6-17, and Adult). These tools utilize an algorithm to guide individuals to the appropriate level of care.
Services Offered by the ACCESS Program
The Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services Access Program provides a range of crucial services, acting as a comprehensive resource for the community. These services include:
- General Information and Service Alternatives: ACCESS provides comprehensive information about the behavioral health service landscape and explores various service options available to residents.
- Telephone Screening for Specialty Mental Health Services: Licensed clinicians conduct telephone screenings to assess whether individuals meet the medical necessity criteria for Specialty Mental Health Services.
- Substance Use Disorder Screening and Referrals: The program offers screening for substance use disorders and provides referrals to specialized substance use treatment programs.
- Crisis Screening and Referrals: ACCESS offers crisis screening and facilitates referrals to appropriate crisis services. It is important to remember that ACCESS is not a suicide hotline. For immediate crisis intervention, please utilize designated crisis hotlines or emergency services.
- Behavioral Health Plan Eligibility Verification: ACCESS can verify an individual’s eligibility for various behavioral health plans under ACBHCS.
- Determination of Appropriate Care Level and Provider Selection: Based on clinical need and provider availability, ACCESS helps determine the appropriate level of care and assists in selecting a suitable provider. Referrals are carefully considered, taking into account client preferences, geographic location, language and cultural needs, and the provider’s clinical specialties. Interpretation services are arranged by ACCESS as needed to ensure equitable access to care.
ACCESS Referrals for Crisis and Urgent Care
While ACCESS provides crisis screening and referrals, it is not a substitute for emergency services. In situations requiring immediate medical or police assistance, always call 911.
For urgent behavioral health care needs:
- Adults: Adults in crisis are referred to John George Psychiatric Hospital’s Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) at 510-346-7500. PES offers 23-hour voluntary and involuntary screening and emergency care.
- Children (ages 12-17): Adolescents requiring urgent care are referred to Willow Rock Center at 510-483-3030.
- Children (ages 0-11): Younger children in need of urgent care are referred to Children’s Hospital BERT Center at 510-428-3240.
Contact the ACCESS Program
If you are an Alameda County resident seeking mental health or substance use services, the Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services ACCESS Program is your starting point.
Call 1-800-491-9099
for information, screening, and referrals. The ACCESS team is ready to assist you in navigating the path to wellness.
