Mental Health Services

The Family Education & Resource Center (FERC) is a family caregiver-centered program that educates and supports family caregivers of children, adolescents or adults with mental health conditions who live in Alameda County. FERC offers a free warmline and referral service for caregivers, as well as resource centers and lending libraries throughout Alameda County.

The Patients’ Rights Advocacy Program advocates for individuals in Alameda, San Mateo, Sonoma, and Marin Counties by responding to questions and complaints from patients in psychiatric hospitals and facilities, monitoring facilities for compliance with regulations, and preparing involuntary patients for hearings by gathering evidence and developing legal arguments to support their position in court.

The Family Partnership Program stands with families who have a child or children with behavioral and/or emotional challenges. Family Partners have firsthand experience raising a child with these challenges. They offer peer support and assistance navigating services available through the county, school system, or other agencies.

The Family Caregiver Advocacy & Support Program assists families who have a member with mental illness being served at John George Psychiatric Hospital. A specialist will familiarize you with the hospital and its programs and act as a liaison between you and the service programs your family member is joining.

The Consumer & Family Assistance Office assists individuals and their families who are receiving or eligible for Medi-Cal-funded services. A Consumer Assistance Specialist will walk with you through grievances or appeals you have about mental health treatment services provided by Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services.

Since the early 90s, MHAAC has sponsored an African American Family Support Group that meets monthly. In 2017, MHAAC started offering workshops to help African American families talk, learn about, and cope with mental health conditions and/or substance abuse in their families.