Behavioral Health
Concerned about a child's development?
Local Resources
Behavioral health includes both mental health and drug and alcohol services. Current resources in San Luis Obispo County include:
A list of mental health providers developed by the Child Health and Disability Prevention Program of SLO County Public Health is also available for download:
Local Resource to Help Parents Find the Right Mental Health Therapist
Finding the right mental health therapist for a young child can be challenging. It can be difficult to know who is best qualified to treat children under six and how to ensure that the fit is right.
To assist parents in finding the treatment that is right for them, the Health Access Training Project provides the handout Finding the Right Mental Health Therapist Guide for San Luis Obispo County. Please feel free to download and distribute to parents and guardians. Note that it has contact information for San Luis Obispo County. Click the link below to download your copy.
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New Resource!
MP Health is providing mental health and wellness support, counseling and education to parents and caregivers with children ages 0-5 in SLO County, in partnership with First 5. The (virtual) program MP Health staff are bi-lingual (English/Spanish) and ready to help! Call (805) 253-2547. Download the flyer in English and Spanish.
Need Help?
Contact an advocate or staff member at a Family Resource Center for support with non-medical needs such as food, clothing, shelter, parent education and navigating social services. A full listing of Family Resource Centers in San Luis Obispo County can be found here:
https://sloparents.org/slo-frc-directory/ 
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Medi-Cal Mental Health Services
The way that CenCal Health members (clients with Medi-Cal) will be referred to mental health care and applied behavior analysis (ABA) services is changing. Starting January 1, 2022, CenCal Health directly provides managed care for mental health care and ABA services. The Holman Group is no longer involved in the process.
Members with mild to moderate conditions should contact CenCal Health at (877) 814-1861 to set up care or they can schedule directly with a contracted provider. To find a contracted mental health provider, visit https://www.cencalhealth.org/providers/behavioral-health.
The County Mental Health Department provides services for specialty mental health (specific severe mental illnesses) for Medi-Cal members. The Latino Outreach Program is integrated into County Mental Health clinics - mental health services are provided in Spanish for adults and children. Martha's Place (see below) provides specialized services for children ages 0-5 with at-risk behaviors and/or prenatal exposure. CenCal Health members with severe mental illness symptoms can still contact County Behavioral Health at (800) 838-1381.
Not sure which agency to call? Then call County Behavioral Health at (800) 838-1381 for assistance in connecting with the right level of care.
Members with mild to moderate conditions should contact CenCal Health at (877) 814-1861 to set up care or they can schedule directly with a contracted provider. To find a contracted mental health provider, visit https://www.cencalhealth.org/providers/behavioral-health.
The County Mental Health Department provides services for specialty mental health (specific severe mental illnesses) for Medi-Cal members. The Latino Outreach Program is integrated into County Mental Health clinics - mental health services are provided in Spanish for adults and children. Martha's Place (see below) provides specialized services for children ages 0-5 with at-risk behaviors and/or prenatal exposure. CenCal Health members with severe mental illness symptoms can still contact County Behavioral Health at (800) 838-1381.
Not sure which agency to call? Then call County Behavioral Health at (800) 838-1381 for assistance in connecting with the right level of care.
Martha's Place Assesses and Treats Children
Martha's Place is a County Behavioral Health program that focuses on the assessment and treatment of children birth to five who exhibit at-risk behaviors that may be interfering with their normal development and/or who have been prenatally exposed to alcohol or other substances. All children with Medi-Cal are eligible.
A comprehensive initial assessment of the child's medical, cognitive, behavioral, social, educational and emotional development is used to recommend needed services and to help families access services through Martha's Place and other providers. Post-assessment services may include mental health therapy, occupational therapy, case management, additional testing, and caregiver support. Services depend on the child's needs and insurance coverage. Note that Martha's Place does not accept private health insurance.
Children can be referred directly by faxing the Martha's Place Referral Form to 781-4962. If you have questions, call (805) 781-4948. Parents may need help with the required intake paperwork. If transportation to the initial assessment is a problem, patients can access transportation through CenCal.
A comprehensive initial assessment of the child's medical, cognitive, behavioral, social, educational and emotional development is used to recommend needed services and to help families access services through Martha's Place and other providers. Post-assessment services may include mental health therapy, occupational therapy, case management, additional testing, and caregiver support. Services depend on the child's needs and insurance coverage. Note that Martha's Place does not accept private health insurance.
Children can be referred directly by faxing the Martha's Place Referral Form to 781-4962. If you have questions, call (805) 781-4948. Parents may need help with the required intake paperwork. If transportation to the initial assessment is a problem, patients can access transportation through CenCal.