Butte County is a place of natural beauty with countless opportunities for recreation in both rural and urban environments. Many Butte County residents live in one of the five incorporated towns or cities: Biggs, Chico, Gridley, Oroville or Paradise. Butte County government provides services to residents through 23 diverse departments. Services include elections, road maintenance, public safety, solid waste disposal, and health and human services to name a few.
Services Offered
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Behavioral Health provides services for individuals in crisis, for youth, for adults and for alcohol and drug treatment. Services are provided in Chico, Paradise, Oroville, Gridley and rural communities.
Crisis Services Available to all age groups unless otherwise noted. These services are accessed by referral. Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) A cooperative effort among local law enforcement, first responders, and behavioral health providers to improve the interaction and experience for parties involved in a mental health crisis. Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) The Crisis Stabilization Unit Connects individuals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (24/7) immediately to a mental health professional for telephone intervention, information, or referrals. Homeless Emergency Action Response Team (HEART) The Homeless Emergency Action Response Team (HEART) program provides street outreach services, a 24/7 crisis hotline and mobile response, emergency shelter, assessment, case management, and brief individual and family counseling to stabilize living situations and strengthen families.
Hospital Alternative Program (HAP) Age Range: Ages 0 to 17 Provided by Youth for Change, is a short term intensive service for youth at risk of hospitalization.
Mobile Crisis Team Evaluates adults and youth who are experiencing a crisis in an emergency room, schools, or other community settings on a referral basis.
Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) Age Range: Ages 18 and over A 16-bed, 24-hour acute non-medical facility providing a safe environment for individuals needing acute care for their mental illness during voluntary or involuntary admissions. Adult Services
Outpatient Centers Age Range: Ages 18 and over Adult Outpatient Centers provide assessment, diagnosis, and treatment to individuals requiri
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.
