Crisis Services
AFS’ Crisis Services Division meets the needs of Alameda residents who are experiencing mental health crises, homelessness, and other acute life challenges that create roadblocks to successful stabilization. Through innovative partnerships with the City of Alameda and other local community-based providers, AFS is finding ways to fill the gaps that exist in the mental health services landscape.
The CARE Team
The Alameda Community Assessment Response and Engagement (CARE) Team is the city- funded alternative to police response for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis in Alameda. The CARE Team is a coordinated partnership between Alameda Family services and the Alameda Fire Department. The nationally acclaimed program consists of highly trained Alameda Fire Department (AFD) paramedics/EMTs and AFS clinicians who provide clinical case management, on-call consultation, and therapy.
The goal of CARE Team services is to reduce unnecessary police contact during a mental health crisis, decrease unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency room visits, and to deliver compassionate and comprehensive clinical aftercare so that individuals are successfully connected to ongoing services and resources that promote stability in the community.
Alameda Family Services (AFS) provides 24/7 On-Call Licensed Clinicians to support the paramedics in the field, with best practice assessments and interventions. In addition, AFS provides intensive follow up Clinical Case Management to support individuals and families. AFS also offers Bridge Therapy to CARE Team clients while clients are supported in accessing longer term services.
If you need an emergency response for a non-violent mental health crisis, please contact the non-emergency Alameda Police Department (510) 337-8340 or call 911 and ask for The Alameda CARE team.
Unhoused Services and Transitional Housing Mental Health Therapists
Alameda Family Services co-locates mental health clinicians at Dignity Village, Village of Love, and the Building Futures Estuary project. These services are essential in creating a therapeutic environment that is capable of addressing the complex mental health needs of these formerly unhoused individuals and families.
Trainings and Consultation
Crisis Services’ staff provide trainings to outside agencies in areas of Crisis De-escalation, Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse Treatment, Motivational Interviewing, and other requested topics. In addition, Staff provides clinical case consultation to outside agencies, including Building Futures for Women and Children.
Internship Opportunities
Alameda Family Services actively supports and guides interns and staff to achieve the goals they have set out for themselves. Furthermore, interns in excellent standing may have the opportunity to transition into paid employment where they receive clinical supervision and are mentored towards licensure or teacher certification.