The Health and Human Services Agency of Shasta County offers an array of services, from food stamps and employment training, to counseling and immunizations. Our vision is for every person to enjoy a safe, healthy and productive life.
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Services Offered
Adult Mental Health - This program provides outpatient counseling, assessment and evaluation, case management, medication, social rehabilitation, and urgent care/crisis services for adults who struggle with persistent and severe mental illness. Services are based on recovery and strength-based philosophies and provided by specialized teams. Consumer and family service specialists are available to clients who need advocacy in the mental health system.
Child and Youth Mental Health - This program provides outpatient counseling, assessment and evaluation, case management, medication, social rehabilitation and urgent care/crisis services for youth with emotional and mental health needs. Special programs are available for youth in the juvenile justice system, foster youth, children up to age 22 who meet criteria for special education services, and students at court and community schools.
Transitional Age Youth - The Early Onset Program is dedicated to making sure that eligible 16- to 21-year-old Transitional Age Youth (TAY) get treatment sooner rather than later. Through Early Onset, which is funded by the Mental Health Services Act, Clinicians work with TAY who have had early signs of psychosis, but still have awareness and insight into the symptoms. In addition to counseling and peer-led support groups, clients also develop recovery action plans that help them identify triggers and ways to make themselves feel better.
Outpatient Alcohol and Drug Programs - The outpatient program focuses on treatment of alcohol and drug abuse and provides individual and group counseling, substance abuse education, crisis intervention, assessment and referral services.
Perinatal Alcohol and Drug Program - The Perinatal Program is for women who are pregnant or have recently given birth and have a substance abuse problem. Services include day treatment; individual and group counseling; parenting skills development; and case management. An on-site child care co-op and transportation are available. Babies under the age of 4 months can remain with their mothers during treatment.
Fees and Payment
Medi-Cal, sliding scale (Adult Mental Health, Outpatient Alcohol and Drug Programs, Perinatal Alcohol and Drug Program)
Medi-Cal, sliding scale, Healthy Families; insurance if Shasta County Mental Health is in the insurance plan's provider panel and mental health is a covered service for those who meet "medical necessity" criteria. (Child and Youth Mental Health)
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono Medicare Medicaid
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
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Qualifying for assistance from California's program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to California's program.
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.
