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:
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. 
|
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/ | ||||||
Medi-Cal Mental Health Services
CenCal Health members who are not being treated through SLO County Mental Health Services can contact CenCal Health at (877) 814-1861 to find a provider who accepts CenCal Health insurance or they can schedule directly with a contracted provider. Many providers are listed on the Psychology Today website.
If a member calls CenCal Health and is given three providers but none are accepting new clients or are not otherwise a good fit, the member can call back and request Navigation Services. A CenCal Health Navigator will help them to find a provider with openings.
The SLO County Behavioral Health Department provides services for specialty mental health (specific severe mental illnesses) for Medi-Cal members in English and Spanish. 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? Call either CenCal Health or County Behavioral Health for assistance in connecting with the right level of care.
If a member calls CenCal Health and is given three providers but none are accepting new clients or are not otherwise a good fit, the member can call back and request Navigation Services. A CenCal Health Navigator will help them to find a provider with openings.
The SLO County Behavioral Health Department provides services for specialty mental health (specific severe mental illnesses) for Medi-Cal members in English and Spanish. 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? Call either CenCal Health or County Behavioral Health for assistance in connecting with the right level of care.
Martha's Place Assesses and Treats Children
Martha's Place is a SLO 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 Health.
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 Health.