Behavioral Health Supportive Services

CalWORKs (CW) Welfare-to-Work (WTW) participants are eligible to receive Behavioral Health Supportive Services (BHSS) to support them to participate in WTW activities and/or accept and retain employment. BHSS includes mental health counseling and substance use disorder treatment services.

Who Is Eligible?

WTW participants (including those who are curing their sanction, CW penalties, exempt volunteers) and their children are eligible to receive BHSS treatment services for conditions that create barriers to employment and achieving economic independence.

What is included in Behavioral Health Supportive Services?

Mental health and substance use disorder treatment services may include:

mental health screening;
psychotherapy (individual and/or group);
psychoeducation;
medication prescription and management; and/or
parenting issues counseling and case management.

You can request these services in the following ways:

during your WTW appraisal or assessment;
talk to your Employment Counselor (EC) after your WTW orientation or at any time;
talk to one of our Social Workers;
speak with the Support Services Specialist (SSS); or
schedule a face-to-face meeting with the SSS at any Social Services Agency office.

If you need to talk to someone regarding a concern, call a Support Services Specialist or visit one of our offices to see a Social Worker.

You can call the following phone numbers to reach a Support Services Specialists:

Eden Area Multi-Service Center (510) 259-2277
North Oakland Self-Sufficiency Center (510) 271-0539
Eastmont Self-Sufficiency Center (510) 383-5347

You may call any of the above Support Services Specialists regardless of the location where you are receiving WTW services.

The following substance use treatment services are available to all Alameda County residents:

opioid Treatment Program (OTP) /Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT);
withdrawal management: 24/7 clinically managed detoxification and sobering support;
residential Services;
recovery Residence (aka: Sober Living Environments);
intensive Outpatient Treatment;
outpatient Treatment; and
recovery Support Services to help the client develop both internal and external resources to support ongoing self-management.

For more information, please visit the Alameda County Behavioral Health Website. You can also contact the Substance Use Treatment & Referral Helpline at 1-844-682-7215. The Helpline is available 24/7 and staff can provide information and referrals in languages other than English.

What is a Mental Health Screening?

When can a Mental Health Screening help me?

Can I go to a different provider?

Is my confidentiality protected?

Will my benefits be affected by these services?

Other Associated Services or Areas of Information

Mental Health Services

Individuals residing in Alameda County, including those not receiving CalWORKs, may receive referrals to mental health services by calling ACCESS at 1-800-491-9099. ACCESS serves all ages.

Substance Abuse Disorder

The Social Services Agency contracts with Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services (BHCS) to provide Substance Use Treatment services to all eligible individuals enrolled in our programs. Individuals can call the Substance Use Treatment and Referral Helpline to receive information and referrals for substance use services.

For more information, please visit the Alameda County Behavioral Health Website. You can also contact the Substance Use Treatment & Referral Helpline at 1-844-682-7215.

For more information, please visit the Alameda County Behavioral Health Website.