ACUTE & INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE

Acute & Crisis Services

Alameda County Behavioral Health (ACBH) operates a variety of crisis services and Mobile Crisis Teams to respond to individuals in the community experiencing an acute behavioral health crisis. In addition to crisis services (ACBH) operates an Acute Care Management Team to assist in arranging care transitions between levels of care within the behavioral health care system.

Acute & Crisis Services Dashboard (Data Metrics)    –   

Our System

Psychiatric Inpatient Care is offered through Alameda Health System's, John George Psychiatric Hospital. For more information, please visit: www.alamedahealthsystem.org

Mobile Crisis Team (MCT): This team operates with two Licensed Clinicians who respond to mental health crisis calls from the general community, providers, as well as 911 mental health crisis call outs. MCT services are available Monday – Friday 8am-6pm.
Contact: 1 (510) 891-5600

Mobile Evaluation Team (MET): This team pairs an Oakland Police Officer and a Licensed Clinician in an unmarked police vehicle. They focus on 911 generated mental health crisis calls within Oakland. MET services are available Monday – Thursday 8am-3pm.
Contact: 1 (510) 891-5600

Hayward Mobile Evaluation Team (HMET): This team pairs a Hayward Police Officer and a Licensed Clinician in an unmarked police vehicle. They focus on 911 generated mental health crisis calls within hayward. MET services are available Monday – Thursday 8am-4pm.

Community Assessment and Transport Team (CATT): This team pairs an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with a Licensed Clinician. They focus on community-based crisis intervention and medical clearance. This pilot program is a partnership between Bonita House, Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services, Alameda County Emergency Medical Services, Falck Northern California Emergency Medical Service, and Alameda County Whole Person Care.
CATT services are available 7 days a week, 7am-11pm.
Contact: Currently through our 911 System Response.

All mobile crisis clinicians are certified to write applications for involuntary holds in Alameda County. However, clinicians will offer voluntary treatment via various diversion programs when clinically appropriate. All mobile crisis teams work in partnership with local law enforcement and due to safety concerns, requests to respond without law enforcement cannot be guaranteed. If callers are advised to call 911, callers can request a CIT (Crisis Intervention Trained) officer, who has completed training specific to crisis intervention and de-escalation.

*These programs are 80% staffed by individuals with lived experience. Teams operate Monday – Friday 8:30am-5pm. Contact us by phone: (510) 891-5600.

Post Crisis Follow Up / Crisis Connect: This team is comprised of a Licensed Clinician and Mental Health Specialists who conduct follow up services to clients who were recently in a crisis via telephone. This program is for clients who infrequently utilize psychiatric emergency rooms. Staff may connect clients to any services such as mental health, housing, community resources, or recovery programs for substance abuse.

Community Connections: This team is comprised of a Crisis Intervention Specialist and a Mental Health Specialist who focus on clients with persistent mental illness and provide out-reach in the community. Staff partner with Healthcare for the Homeless and other providers to link clients to on-going mental health services.

Familiar Faces: This team is comprised of a Licensed Clinician and Mental Health Specialists who provide services to clients who frequently utilize psychiatric emergency rooms. Services include follow up visits, care coordination, and linkage to on-going care and resources.

Geriatric Assessment & Response Team (GART)

The Critical Care Management Team is comprised of licensed clinicians who monitor acute, sub-acute, and crisis system resources and authorize services for adults or adolescents who are on involuntary psychiatric holds or need acute psychiatric care. The Critical Care Management team oversees high-level behavioral health services provided by community-based organizations, ensures appropriate levels of care that meet clinical quality of care standards, and facilitates treatment and discharge plans in conjunction with other system partners.
  • The Local Mental Health Director, as authorized by the Board of Supervisors, is the sole authority for designating Mental Health Professionals to initiate 72-hour psychiatric detentions.
  • The local Mental Health Director (along with the ACBH Crisis Services Division and the Office of the Medical Director) will determine which service sites are eligible to have staff designated for the placement of involuntary psychiatric holds (5150/5585) by considering their capacity, staffing as well as State regulations.
  • Alameda County recognizes two levels of LPS designation including Category I Full Designation for 5150/5585 receiving (treatment) facilities and Category II Professional Designation for individuals working in facilities or teams where 5150/5585 transportation orders may be initiated or discontinued.
Providers Training Calendar: Training events listed are for Alameda County Behavioral Health (ACBH) Staff and ACBH contracted Provider Staff (unless specified on the announcement for a wider audience).

Quality Assurance Training Schedule: Find the most up to date information on trainings provided by QA including handouts and registration. Please check back regularly for additional training opportunities from QA.
To use the interactive Alameda County mobile crisis map, please select the l >> l icon at the top left corner of the map to expand the legend. Once you have selected a mobile team, refer to the corresponding map on the right. Double click any highlighted area on the map for hours, contact info and description.