Child and Young Adult services may be subject to prior authorization through ACBH and are required to meet medical necessary criteria.  For questions about any services within the Child and Young Adult System, please email InfoACBH.CYASOC@acgov.org

Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Services (EPSDT)

In accordance with the requirements in Section 1905(r) of the Social Security Act and Title 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 441.50 et seq., the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is responsible for providing full-scope Medi-Cal beneficiaries under the age of 21 with a comprehensive, high-quality array of preventive (such as screening), diagnostic, and treatment services under Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Services (EPSDT). These services are covered without cost.  

Medi-Cal Coverage for EPSDT: 

Consistent with federal law and regulations for EPSDT, Medi-Cal covers all medically necessary services, including those to "correct or ameliorate" defects and physical and mental illness conditions. Infants, children, and youth up to age 21 with full-scope Medi-Cal are able to receive EPSDT services.

County Operated Clinics

Services:  ACBH offers outpatient services through its seven clinics located across the county.  Services are provided to children, youth, and their families and may include individual, group, and family therapy, as well as medication evaluation and management. Coordination occurs with other agencies through case management activities and includes referrals to additional resources. For more information about these programs, please contact our Alameda County ACCESS line at 1 (800) 491-9099

Clinic Locations:

• Oakland Children’s Services (Located in Oakland)
• Children’s Specialized Services (Located in Oakland)
• Eden Children’s Services (San Leandro, Castro Valley, Hayward)
• Valley Children’s Services (Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore)
• Tri-City Children’s Services (Fremont, Union City)
• Early Childhood “Building Hope” Program (San Leandro)
• Medication Only Clinic (Located in San Leandro serves all of Alameda County)

Early Childhood Mental Health

Alameda County Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) is a prevention, early intervention and treatment-based program designed to provide mental health services to children ages 0-8 and their families in the home and the clinic.  The Early Childhood program includes both county operated services and partnerships with community-based organizations for the delivery of ECMH services.

ECMH utilizes Parent/child dyadic therapy which focuses on the behavioral, social-emotional and/or developmental needs that caregivers have in their relationships with their young children.

Families may access ECMH services by contacting our Alameda County ACCESS line or they may work directly with the ECMH community provider to determine eligibility for services.

Community Mental Health Programs

Community mental health programs are operated through partnership with a variety of local community-based organizations, community health clinic, community health clinics, and individuals with private practices.  These services are available to Children, youth, and young adults ages 0-24 who have Medi-Cal as the primary health insurance. For more information about these programs, please contact our Alameda County ACCESS line at 1 (800) 491-9099

Transition Age Youth Services (Youth ages 18-24)

The goal of our TAY programs is to improve services and outcomes for youth, ages 18-24 who are experiencing or at risk of serious behavioral health challenges, in making successful and seamless transitions towards maximum self-sufficiency and independent living, in collaboration with TAY and their families.   TAY Services include:

• Full-Service Partnerships
• Clinical Service Teams
• Early Psychosis Program
• Outpatient Programs
• Triage, Short-Term Case Management
• In-Home Outreach Team (IHOT)
• Crisis Residential Programs (Age 18+)
• TAY Residential TREATMENT Program (13 beds, Serves ages 18-24)
• Prevention Services Serves ages 14-24

For more information about these programs, please contact our Alameda County ACCESS line at 1 (800) 491-9099

Alameda County provides mental health services in a number of schools in Alameda County.  These services are available to children and youth who are enrolled in school, have Full Scope Medi-Cal, meet medical necessity for Medi-cal Specialty Mental Health services. These services are made available onsite during the school day and after school hours as needed.

Accessing SBBH Services

One of the primary strategies used for getting students at school sites referred for services is through the Coordination of Services Teams (COST). COST is a multidisciplinary team of school staff and providers who integrate learning supports and resources for students, and look at the overall landscape of school climate, trends, and needs. Families may work with the school directly for information on how to initiate a COST referral or they may contact the Alameda County ACCESS line at 1 (800) 491-9099.

Willow Rock Psychiatric Health Facility

Program Description: Willow Rock Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF – Including Dispensing Medication), Crisis Stabilization (CSU) and Outpatient Services.  The Willow Rock facility serves youth ages 12-17 from Alameda County who need acute/crisis mental health services. Willow Rock Center includes a 23-hour crisis stabilization unit and an acute in-patient psychiatric health facility.

Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT)

Program Description: The Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT) is program of UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.  BERT clinicians provide crisis assessments for children and adolescents under the age of 18 who are experiencing a psychiatric emergency. These brief crisis assessments are conducted in the Emergency Department and are intended to provide stabilization, determine level of risk and whether further more intensive psychiatric services are needed by transferring to a different facility to ensure your child’s safety. UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland is a contracted behavioral health provider with ACBH.

Eating Disorder Services (ED)

The ED Consultant provides consultation and training to clinicians who need additional support in the treatment of clients who may present with symptoms related to eating issues or eating disorders, allowing for these clients to continue treatment with their current clinician.  For more information about these programs, please contact our Alameda County ACCESS line at 1 (800) 491-9099 or email InfoACBH.CYASOC@acgov.org

Intensive Care Coordination (ICC)

Program Description: Intensive Care Coordination (ICC) is a service that is responsible for facilitating assessment, care planning and coordination of services, including urgent services.  ICC requires a designated mental health coordinator whose role is to work within the Child & Family Team (CFT) to ensure that plans from the system partners are integrated to comprehensively address goals and objectives. The ICC ensures participation by the child or youth and family or caregiver so that the assessment and plan address the client’s needs and strengths in the context of the Core Practice Model.

Referral Process: Primary Specialty Mental Health Providers, Child Welfare Workers, and other child servicing entities may initiate referrals for review for ICC services by submitting a referral to the ACBH ICC/IHBS Coordinator  at Survey.CYASOC@acgov.org  or fax to 1-866-313-8448

Forms:

• ICC Coversheet - English
• ICC Coversheet - Spanish
• ICC Referral - English
• ICC Referral - Spanish

Intensive Home-Based Services (IHBS)

Program Description: IHBS are typically delivered within the context of the Child and Family Team under Intensive Care Coordination.  They are individualized strength-based interventions designed to ameliorate mental health conditions that interfere with a youth’s functioning. Interventions are aimed at helping the youth build skills necessary for successful functioning in the home and community and improving the family’s ability to support the youth to do so.  IHBS can be effective in preventing a child being removed from home, or admission to an inpatient hospital, residential treatment facility.

Referral Process: Typically, referrals for IHBS are made by the ICC within the context of a CFT meeting where the family requests additional support for the client in the home and community. Once submitted, services are authorized by ACBH.

Forms:

• IHBS Cover Letter - English
• IHBS Cover Letter - Spanish
• IHBS Referral - English
• IHBS Referral - Spanish

Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS)

Program Description: TBS are supplemental specialty mental health services covered under the EPSDT benefit.  TBS is an intensive, individualized, one to one behavioral mental health service available to children and youth under the age of 21 with serious emotional challenges and their families and have full scope Medi-Cal.  TBS is never a primary therapeutic intervention and is always used in conjunction with a primary specialty mental health service. TBS is designed to support clients to be successful in their current environment or to transition to a lower level of care.

Referral Process: The process by which Primary Specialty Mental Health Providers (SMHP) can make referrals to TBS on behalf of their clients is by discussing the service with their clients and guardians and adding TBS as an intervention to the client plan and submitting the referral packet to the ACBH Administrator for review and authorization. Upon ACBH approval, one of our contracted TBS Providers will begin their functional behavioral assessment following with providing direct services.

Forms:

• TBS Referral - English
• TBS Referral - Spanish

Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC)

Program Description: TFC is a short-term, intensive, and individualized intervention, provided by a TFC parent to a child or youth who has complex emotional and behavioral needs.

Referral Process: Youth are referred to TFC services through Child Welfare or Probation departments as an out-of-home placement option.  Recommendations for this level of service are processed through the Child and Family Team and placement is facilitated by the appropriate placing agency.