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Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Services Act
2025 Community Survey

This survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and will help Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health improve mental health and substance use disorder services, including housing supports in the County.

Participation is voluntary, all responses will remain anonymous, and you may skip any question you do not wish to answer.

Your honest input is appreciated and will help make a meaningful difference in your community including informing the County’s first Behavioral Health Integrated Plan for 2026-2029. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences.
The following questions are about your experiences with, and opinions about Santa Cruz County’s Behavioral Health System, which includes treatment services related to mental health and substance use disorders, system navigation, and housing supports delivered by County staff or contracted providers. These services support children, youth, adults, and older adults who have Medi-Cal insurance or are uninsured, and who have more serious mental health and substance use challenges. When asked about your “community”, this can mean anything meaningful to you-your neighborhood, people of your race or ethnicity, gender, or any other factor in your identity.
1.What are the barriers to seeking mental health or substance use disorder services in Santa Cruz County? (choose ALL that apply)
2.What are the barriers to receiving and staying engaged in mental health or substance use disorder services provided through Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health? (choose ALL that apply)
3.When you think about Santa Cruz County’s Behavioral Health system, what is working well for you, your loved ones, or your community? (choose ALL that apply)
4.Where do you see gaps in services or unmet needs for you, your loved ones, or your community when it comes to mental health and substance use disorder treatment services and supports provided by Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health? (choose ALL that apply)
5.Where do you see gaps in services or unmet needs for you, your loved ones, or your community when it comes to access to mental health and substance use disorder facilities including acute, subacute, step-down facilities and residential programs utilized by Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health? (choose ALL that apply)
6.What strategies or approaches can Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health use to better engage your community to ensure timely access to quality treatment to address mental health or substance use challenges? (choose ALL that apply)
7.What are the challenges or unmet needs related to the access and/or coordination of care for individuals (all ages) who are chronically homeless, homeless or at risk of homelessness? (choose ALL that apply)
8.What types of housing settings are most needed to address the needs of individuals who are chronically homeless, homeless or at risk of homelessness who are also experiencing mental health and substance use challenges? (choose ALL that apply)
9.What are the challenges or unmet needs related to the access and/or coordination of care for individuals (all ages) who are justice-involved? (choose ALL that apply)
10.What are the challenges or unmet needs related to the access and/or coordination of care for individuals (all ages) who are re-entering the community from a correctional facility (e.g., juvenile facilities, jails, prisons)? (choose ALL that apply)
11.What are the challenges or unmet needs related to the access and/or coordination of care for individuals and families who are involved with child welfare (foster care)? (choose ALL that apply)
12.What are the challenges or unmet needs related to the access and/or coordination of care for individuals (all ages) who are experiencing a crisis or who are frequent users of the crisis system? (choose ALL that apply)
13.What are the challenges or unmet needs related to the access and/or coordination of care for individuals who are on a temporary mental health conservatorship or longer-term conservatorship (i.e., Lanterman-Petris Short (LPS) Conservatorship)? (choose ALL that apply)
14.Is there anything else you’d like to share to help improve Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health’s services and supports for people with mental health or substance use challenges?