FAQ

What is the Crisis Stabilization Unit and the Crisis Residential Treatment at Mocine?

1) What is a Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU)?

A CSU is a voluntary, short-stay behavioral health support program, staffed 24/7 and designed to help adults who are experiencing symptoms that could intensify without professional support but who are not in need of acute levels of care. The CSU provides clinical assessment, stabilization, medication support when appropriate, counseling, safety planning, and connection to ongoing services. Length of stay: up to 24 hours, capacity is limited to eight (8) beds.

There is no set limit to the number of times that someone can use this service; each visit is based on the individual’s needs at that time with a focus on providing the right level of care. If someone uses the service more frequently, staff may work with them to understand their needs, determine the most appropriate support, address underlying causes, and provide alternative interventions where indicated. 

2) What is Crisis Residential Treatment (CRT)?

A CRT is a voluntary, short-term behavioral health residential program staffed 24/7 for adults who need more time and support than a CSU can provide, but still do not require inpatient hospitalization. CRT offers a structured, therapeutic environment focused on stabilization, recovery, and connection to longer-term support. Typical length of stay: 10–14 days, capacity is limited to sixteen (16) beds.

Similar to the CSU, there is no set limit to the number of times that someone can use this service. Each visit is based on the individual’s needs at that time, with a focus on providing the most appropriate level of care.  If someone uses the service more frequently, staff may work with them to understand their needs, determine the most appropriate support, and address underlying causes.

3) What is La Familia’s track record at this location?

La Familia has provided behavioral health services at this location for close to four decades, including outpatient care, medication management, and support for people with higher needs, usually Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. 

We value and invest in safety, quality, and community partnership, and we are committed to maintaining that standard throughout the duration of our service and operations. The site has operated safely and professionally, with strong compliance and safety systems in place reflecting strong clinical practices, effective supervision, and proactive care.

4) Is this a shelter, drop-in center, “halfway house” or “rehab facility”? Is it like the St. Regis? 

This CSU/CRT is a short-term clinical crisis stabilization program with time-limited stays and clearly-defined admission criteria based on behavioral health needs. It serves a distinct clinical purpose, different from that of a homeless shelter, a drop-in center, “halfway house” (also called sober living environment), or a long-term rehabilitation facility. Those types of programs provide different services, such as temporary housing or longer-term treatment. The St. Regis project is operated by Bay Area Community Services (BACS), which provides a continuum of public services and housing, and questions about their services can be directed to BACS at (510) 613-0330 or bacs@bayareacs.org. 

5) Has this CSU/ CRT already opened?

La Familia anticipates opening the CSU/CRT at Mocine around July 2027, following construction completion, licensing, hiring, and staff training.

6) Why is La Familia doing this at the Mocine site?

La Familia is committed to operating the CSU/ CRT services, and selected Mocine because it is already an established health and behavioral-health service location. The renovation and re-use approach builds on La Familia’s long-standing presence at the site, community relationships, experienced teams, and a proven track record. It allows La Familia to expand urgently needed crisis services without introducing a completely new type of use into the neighborhood. Community members are already familiar with reliable and human-centered care provided there. The site is accessible to hospitals and emergency responders, aligns with County plans to expand community-based crisis care, and supports timely implementation using state BHCIP infrastructure funding.

7) How does this fit with Alameda County’s plans?

The CSU/ CRT supports Alameda County’s strategy to strengthen crisis support by expanding upstream community-based crisis services that reduce unnecessary emergency-room use, preventable hospitalizations, and reliance on law enforcement responses to behavioral health issues. This CSU/ CRT program will help fill long-standing gaps in capacity for people who want help in Alameda County.

More information about the County’s System of Care can be found at: https://bhcsproviders.acgov.org/providers/Access/access.htm

More information about the State of California’s Behavioral Health Transformation can be found at: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/BHT/Pages/home.aspx

8) How long is the grant funding? How long will the facility last? What would happen if La Familia was to lose funding?

Alameda County’s Behavioral Health Department is committed to reliable and consistent services for the community and La Familia is contracted to provide this service for the next 30 years.

8) Who does the facility serve?

The CSU/ CRT serves adults (18+) in Alameda County who are experiencing a mental health crisis and need short-term, voluntary, clinically supervised support. Entry is referral-based through sources such as crisis lines, mobile crisis teams, hospitals, or county behavioral health pathways. It is open to all Alameda County residents as a place of support.

9) Who works at a CSU/ CRT?

A CSU/ CRT is staffed by a multidisciplinary team that typically includes registered nurses (RNs), licensed clinicians (e.g., LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, PsyD), case managers, peer counselors, and a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner, with 24/7 coverage and supervisory oversight.

10) What is La Familia’s approach to property management?

La Familia takes a proactive property management approach through regular site monitoring, prompt response to concerns, and ongoing upkeep, maintenance, and security systems. Our proactive management approach ensures the property remains safe, and is an asset to the surrounding community.

Once the building is operational, a member of the program leadership for the CSU/ CRT will receive calls and resolve resident concerns. Until the programs are operational, residents can report suspicious activity or safety concerns to MocineProject@LiveLaFamilia.com and a staff member will respond promptly. 

11) What if someone is loitering?  

La Familia understands the importance of maintaining safety in all areas where we provide services. 

While this building is under construction you can expect to see people working during typical working hours related to the project construction. We do not expect that anyone will be standing, sitting, laying, or wandering around the building without a clear purpose related to construction.

If you see behavior that looks suspicious during and after construction when operations are active, La Familia staff invites community members to call 510-606-7210 and/or email MocineProject@LiveLaFamilia.org. When we receive a report, staff will promptly assess the situation and take appropriate action.

We are committed to being a good neighbor and will continue to communicate with the community, monitor operations, and make adjustments as needed to ensure the area remains safe and welcoming for everyone.   

11) Will this affect property values? 

CSU and CRT programs are small, clinically supervised settings that function much like other healthcare uses. When they are well operated and properly staffed, they blend into the neighborhood, and research indicates that nearby property values continue to follow normal market patterns.

12) How is this programming funded?

This project is funded through state infrastructure investments (Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Projects), County behavioral health, and Medi-Cal—not local property taxes.

Safety, Screening, and Emergency Planning

13) Will this bring dangerous people into the neighborhood?

This program will provide a safe, structured place for people who need short-term behavioral health support. Clients are referred through a coordinated process involving their care team, in which qualified professionals have made a clinical assessment that this program is appropriate for their needs. The site is staffed 24/7 by trained professionals, and the focus is on helping people stabilize and move to the next step in their care.

Should someone arrive who needs care that our site doesn’t provide, they will be provided transportation to an appropriate service provider.

14) What does “voluntary, lower acuity” mean?

“Voluntary, lower acuity” means people have come by choice and do not require hospital-level care or an involuntary hold. They may be going through a difficult moment, but can be safely supported in the program’s structured, supportive setting for stabilization.

15) Will Staff use safety restraints?

This will be a voluntary, short-term program for people with lower acuity behavioral health needs. According to clinical guidelines and our contract with the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department, the facility is not locked and we cannot hold or restrain individuals.

If the need for increased support is observed, La Familia staff are trained in crisis prevention and intervention and de-escalation techniques, and may obtain additional support from emergency medical services if needed. 

15) Do you run background checks on clients?

This is a health-care program offering short-term behavioral health support, not a criminal-justice setting. Individuals are clinically screened to confirm the CSU/ CRT is the appropriate level of care, and that they can be safely served in a voluntary setting.

16) What would prevent someone from being admitted?

People are not admitted if they need hospital-level medical care, are a danger to themselves or others, present violent or aggressive behavior, are in police custody, decline voluntary participation, or require detox/ withdrawal management beyond the CSU/ CRT scope. If someone’s needs are not able to be addressed through our programming, they are redirected to the clinically indicated level of care and provided transportation.

17) What happens if someone gets worse while in the program or escalates before they get taken to the hospital?

If symptoms escalate beyond CSU/CRT scope, the person receives immediate clinical assessment and increased support from the trained clinical team. If they require a higher level of care in another facility, they are transferred through established pathways (including emergency medical services when needed). 

If emergency medical or law enforcement intervention is needed, staff initiate safety protocols including contacting 911 and coordinating with appropriate clinical leadership.  

18) Will people wander outside or line up at the door?

La Familia understands the importance of maintaining safety in all areas where we provide services. 

While this building is under construction you can expect to see people working during typical working hours related to the project construction. We do not expect that anyone will be standing, sitting, laying, or wandering around the building without a clear purpose related to construction.

Once in operation, the CSU/ CRT is a referral-based program with controlled access. Services are not open to the general public, and the site is managed to prevent queuing outside.

Community members are encouraged to reach La Familia at 510-606-7210 and/or by email at MocineProject@LiveLaFamilia.org. When we receive a report, staff will respond promptly.

19) Will people be discharged to the street?

Each person leaves with a clear, coordinated discharge plan which connects them to appropriate services, and be provided with transportation to their next setting.

20) Will people be discharged in the middle of the night?

Discharges are carefully planned and coordinated to ensure appropriate timing and support. If someone is ready to leave late at night, staff arrange a safe plan and transportation to an appropriate destination.

21) Will people be able to leave without permission and walk out into the neighborhood? 

The program operates with structured, staff-supported discharges. La Familia considers each individual’s unique needs and provides a pathway to reach an appropriate next destination. Unplanned departures into the neighborhood are not part of program operations.

21) Will there be a security guard?

The program operates with 24/7 staffing, controlled access, and trained staff, supported by design features such as lighting, cameras, and secure entry. CSU/ CRT programs are clinical, supportive environments designed to operate safely without uniformed guards. 

22) How do you ensure staff safety?

Staff safety is built into the program through careful admissions screening, strong clinical staffing ratios, team-based response, and de-escalation training through the Crisis Prevention Institute. The program also includes controlled access, a monitored environment, and clear emergency procedures and drills, including coordination with emergency responders t when necessary.

La Familia’s brings deep experience operating 24/7 behavioral health programs, and adheres to all state certification and licensing requirements. 

23) Will police be coming here frequently?

CSU/ CRT programs are designed to provide a clinical alternative to police and emergency service responses for people experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Care takes place in a home-like healthcare setting, reducing the need for law enforcement or emergency rooms. Individuals served are voluntarily participating and are clinically appropriate for a lower-acuity environment. La Familia maintains clear protocols and coordination with emergency services. 

Construction Plans

24) Is the building going to expand?

The project will provide improvements to support CSU/ CRT operations within the existing structure and building footprint.

25) What is the project timeline?

Current anticipated timeline: Construction is expected to begin May 2026 and conclude in December 2026; hiring and training are expected to begin January 2027; opening is anticipated around July 2027.

26) Do you need permits?

Yes, the project will comply with required permitting and building code processes. CSU/CRT facilities are subject to a streamlined, ministerial review process under California Welfare & Institutions Code section 5960.31, as well as to state and county licensing standards for program operations.

State law treats crisis mental health care facilities as essential, similar to emergency rooms or urgent care, and requires cities to provide administrative approval once they meet zoning and safety standards. Information is available at https://www.infrastructure.buildingcalhhs.com/.  

27) Why are we hearing about this now?

Planning has progressed over time as the project design was refined. Now that key details are in place, La Familia is sharing information and hearing from neighbors. While this type of facility does not require a public hearing, La Familia is committed to engaging with neighbors because community partnership and transparency matter.

Stay in Touch

28) How can neighbors raise concerns or stay informed?

La Familia will provide ongoing updates and clear contact pathways, including a project webpage for updates and FAQs and a dedicated email: MocineProject@LiveLaFamilia.org. Community meetings and updates will continue as milestones occur. Project updates can be found at https://livelafamilia.org/mocineproject/.

29) What can I do if someone I care about is in crisis today?

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, calling 988 is one of the fastest ways to connect with crisis support and appropriate services.

30) What other relevant resources should I be aware of?

• Hayward’s HEART Team Services 

• Hayward Homeless Response Resource Guide 

• Access Hayward Ticket System to Report Code Violations/Neighborhood Appearance Concerns

• Alameda County Behavioral Health Care’s Resources 

About La Familia

Who is La Familia?

La Familia is a longstanding nonprofit health and behavioral health provider serving Hayward and Alameda County since 1975. Our mission is to support underserved multicultural communities with the tools and services needed to build resilience, wellness, and stability. Our work is guided by our values of Belonging, Partnership, Self-Determination, Social Justice, and Integrity.

What services does La Familia provide today?

In addition to high-quality, culturally responsive behavioral health services—including therapy and psychiatry/ medication support—La Familia provides family and community support such as care coordination, coaching, connections to food and employment services, housing-focused support for families, and parent engagement opportunities.

La Familia provides a comprehensive continuum of health, behavioral health, and community-based services designed to support individuals and families at every stage of need.Our services include crisis intervention and stabilization, care coordination and case management, peer support, and recovery-oriented programs for individuals experiencing higher levels of need. We also provide family-centered services such as coaching, parent engagement, youth and family supports, and linkage to education and employment resources. Recognizing the connection between stability and health, La Familia connects individuals and families to food assistance, housing-focused supports, emergency shelter, and transitional housing resources, and other basic-needs services.

Across all programs, La Familia emphasizes prevention, early intervention, and continuity of care—working in partnership with schools, hospitals, counties, and community organizations to ensure people receive the right level of support at the right time. Our approach is grounded in dignity, cultural humility, trauma-informed care, and long-standing relationships within the communities we serve. Learn more about our work at www.LiveLaFamilia.org.