Dear Friend,
Life can be disappointing and painful at times, but there is hope. Mental Health illnesses or Substance use disorders can affect people from every background and culture, and can occur at any age. The experience of trauma could be a precursor to alcohol and substance use disorders. No Individual or family should have to bear the stigma of these challenges or suffer inadequate or insufficient treatment. Recovery can happen with effective and timely treatment, prevention, early intervention, education, training, support, inclusiveness, hope and empowerment. Many persons have learned to man age their illness and are doing well in their recovery. San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services is committed to provide respectful and excellent specialty mental health and substance use disorder services. We will empower you to help you realize your strengths and resiliencies so that you can take personal responsibility to regain control of your life. We have peer Support Specialists who can walk beside you on the path to recovery. We invite you, your family and friends to be actively involved in your treatment. Also, there are individuals with lived experience who will be glad to talk with you. Together we can promote healing and comfort for the mind, body and spirit. You are the reason we are here.
Sincerely,
The Department of Psychiatry is an important organization within San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services. We are proud of the nearly 20 highly trained, culturally diverse individuals that comprise the department. Each psychiatrist has completed bachelor level or equivalent premedical training, medical school, and an approved psychiatry residency program. To insure the highest standards, each psychiatrist is carefully reviewed by the San Joaquin General Hospital Credentials Committee upon employment and biannually thereafter.
The Department of Psychiatry's primary mission is to assess and treat county residents who suffer from mental health problems. The department is committed to reducing and eventually eliminating the stigma attached to mental health problems. The psychiatrists want our clients to understand their problems and interventions. The psychiatrists work closely with other team members to assure that the biological, psychological, and sociological problems are addressed.
We welcome inquiries from psychiatrists interested in a career in community mental health. These can be directed to the Director, Tony Vartan at 209-468-8750 or tvartan@sjcbhs.org.
It is our intention to provide you with the kind of mental health service that will help you regain control of your life. Let the people where you receive service know if you are not satisfied with the way you are treated. You and the people helping you may be able solve problems quickly and simply.
We want you to feel free to start with the Grievance Procedure that feels most comfortable to you.
If Immediate help is needed, please call one of the people listd below:
Consumer Support Warm Line
Phone:(209)468-3585
Patient's Rights Advocate (all ages)
Phone:(209)468-8676
A representative with the responsibility of assuring all clients their rights. This individual intervenes for the client in both informal and formal disputes and assists with grievances.
Family Advocate
(209)401-6087
Parent Partners (Children and Youth Services)
(209)468-2385
Helps parents and other caregivers solve problems and issues related to children and adolescent care.
Southeast Asian Languages (Cambodian, Hmong, Khmu, Laotian, and Vietnamese languages)
(209)953-8843
Problem Resolution Line
(209)468-9393 in Stockton
(866)468-9393 out of Stockton
Family Advocate Patient's Rights Advocate A representative with the
responsibility of assuring all clients their rights. This individual intervenes
for the client in both informal and formal disputes and assists with grievances.
How do I file a grievance? Grievance:
You can act on your own behalf.
You can ask another person such as a good friend or a helpful relative to act for you.
You can contact one of the Advocates listed inYou can contact one of the Advocates listed above.
Click here to download the Suggestion/Grievance form. Fill out form then drop if off in a suggestion box or mail it.
You can call the CAC chairperson, Jennie Montoya at (209)468-3755
If you have Medi-Cal, you can file for a State Fair Hearing.
State Hearings Division
California Department of Social Services
PO Box 944243, Mail Station 19-37
Sacramento, CA 94244-2430
Phone: 1-800-952-5253
TDD: 1-800-952-8349
All clients have a right to express dissatisfaction. If unable to resolve problems on their own, clients may use the grievance or appeal procedures.
What happens to me for filing a grievance or an appeal?
Your service provider will try to make the changes you are requesting. You will not be discriminated against or penalized in any way for filing
grievances or appeals.
Are grievances/appeals confidential?
Resolving your grievance or appeals quickly is important to us. The investigation of your grievances or appeal will be handled with your privacy in mind.
Resolving your grievance/appeals quickly is important to us. The investigation of your grievances or appeals will be handled with your privacy in mind.
Are grievances/appeals confidential?
Resolving your grievance or appeals quickly is important to us. The investigation of your grievances or appeal will be handled with your privacy in mind.
The right to obtain a copy of the San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services Notice of Privacy Practices.
The right to request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures of your information.
The right to request to inspect and copy certain treatment records.
The right to request an amendment to your health record.
The right to obtain an accounting of disclosures of protected health information disclosed for reasons other than treatment, payment or healthcare operations.
The right to request confidential communications of your health information by alternative means.
The right to discontinue your authorization to use or disclose health information.
Notice of Privacy Practices (PDF) |
Spanish |
Cambodian This notice describes in how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. |
1212 N. California Street
Stockton, CA 95202
San Joaquin County
Behavioral Health Services
Note: Federal law allows us to use your health information for treatment, payment or healthcare operations without your written consent.
You also may file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, ATTN: Regional Manager, 50
United Nations Plaza, Room 322,
San Francesco, CA 94102
Phone: (800)368-1019 TTY: (866)788-4989
During their recovery period, clients sometimes lose confidence in themselves because they have been evaluated or treated for mental or emotional problems.
It is hard for them to remember that they are respected members of the community and have the same rights and privileges they have always had.
You or your representative can ask for help if at any time you feel that your rights are being denied. If you are unable to resolve problems with your service
provider, you may file a complaint or grievance. For details about how to file a complaint, see
Suggestions & Complaints or call one of the helpers.
San Joaquin County is well known for its ethnic and cultural diversity. It is our intention to serve all ethnic and cultural groups in a manner responsive to their cultural and
language needs. If you feel that we are not living up to these guidelines, please contact us through our Administrative Services number, (209)468-8750.
As a client, you have the right to timely access to appropriate, culturally sensitive mental health services.
Additional, you have the right to:
Be treated with respect.
Request services at times and places convenient to you, and in your preferred language.
Know about your mental condition, available treatment options and costs, medications and their benefits or side effects, and counseling options.
To have medication and prescriptions explained by a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
To refuse to take back your consent for therapy, medication or other forms of treatment at any time.
Get answers to your service related questions.
Be part of the decisions about your treatment.
Request a change of therapist or second opinion.
Request access to your records.
Expect that your records are kept confidential and that information will not be released without your permission unless specifically allowed by law.
Make a complaint or grievance if you are not satisfied with your services or a staff person.
Choose another person to act for you in solving grievances.
If you have Med-Cal, you may file for a State Fair Hearing at any time before, during or after a disagreement without using county Consumer Problem Resolution Procedures.
Consumer who assist other consumers in the satisfactory resolution of service related complaints. Peer Advocates are available to assist adults and older adults.
Phone: (209)468-8878
Parents who assist caregivers of children and adolescents who need assistance with service related issues.
Phone: (209)468-2241
Staff members who provide support and assistance to inpatients.
Phone: (209)468-8662
Gayle Phone: (209)468-3755
Representative with the responsibility of assuring the rights of all clients.
Jonah Salerno (209)468-8676
Fax: (209)468-2399
The Consumer Advisory Council is a volunteer group of consumers, family members, mental health staff and other advocates who assist with complaint resolution.
Jennie Montoya, Chairperson
Phone: (209)468-8486
Phone: (209)468-8750
The Consumer Support Warm-Line is a friendly phone line staffed with Mental Health Outreach Workers who give support and shared
experiences of Hope and Recovery. The consumers and their families can obtain referrals, share concerns, receive support, and talk with a Mental Health
Outreach Worker who generally understands their perspective, and is willing to listen and talk with them.
The Consumer Support Warm-Line is available 24/7, 365 days a year. To access this service please call (209) 468-8686 and ask to be connected to the
Consumer Support Warm-Line.
As of March 1st 2024, SJCBHS is a participant of CalMHSA Connex. CalMHSA Connex is a County Behavioral Health focused Health Information Exchange(HIE). Please read the Member Education material listed below to learn more about this new option to see your health care information.
Link to Protecting the Privacy of your Health Information document can be found here.
Additional information on the Connex platform can be found here.
The right to obtain a copy of the San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services Notice of Privacy Practices.
The right to request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures of your information.
The right to request to inspect and copy certain treatment records.
The right to request an amendment to your health record.
The right to obtain an accounting of disclosures of protected health information disclosed for reasons other than treatment, payment or healthcare operations.
The right to request confidential communications of your health information by alternative means.
The right to discontinue your authorization to use or disclose health information.
Notice of Privacy Practices (PDF) |
Spanish |
Cambodian This notice describes in how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. |
1212 N. California Street
Stockton, CA 95202
San Joaquin County
Behavioral Health Services
Note: Federal law allows us to use your health information for treatment, payment or healthcare operations without your written consent.
You also may file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, ATTN: Regional Manager, 50
United Nations Plaza, Room 322,
San Francesco, CA 94102
Phone: (800)368-1019 TTY: (866)788-4989
| Description | English | Spanish | Cambodian | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 BHS Consumer Satisfaction Survey |  |
|
03/01/2017 | |
| Expedited Appeal Form | |
|
|
01/18/2018 |
| Standard Appeal Form | |
|
|
01/18/2018 |
| Grievance Form | |
|
|
01/18/2018 |
| MHP Beneficiary Handbook | |
|
01/01/2024 | |
| MHS Client Handbooks | |
|
|
01/04/2018 |
| Substance Use Beneficiary Handbook | |
|
01/01/2024 | |
| Suggestion, Comment or Compliment Form | |
|
|
01/23/2015 |
| Notice to Medi-Cal Clients | |
07/01/2005 | ||
| Medi-Cal Provider Directory | |
|
11/2024 | |
| Medi-Cal Provider Directory (18-font) | |
|
11/2024 |
| Description | Video | Document | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOW-TO Group Service with Co-Clinician in CG |  |
 |
6/1/2021 |
| Introduction to Clinicians Gateway (MHS) | |
8/25/2021 | |
| Introduction to Clinicians Gateway (SAS) | |
8/25/2021 |
| Description | English | Spanish | Cambodian | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARES Referral Form |  |
07/18/2022 | ||
| Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-35) | |
06/22/2018 | ||
| BHS Outreach Presentations and Events Form | |
07/30/2008 | ||
| Problem Resolution Process (PRP) Poster | |
|
|
06/07/2021 |
| Client Assistance Program - Covered San Joaquin Flyer | |
|
|
02/05/2016 |
| Network Discharge To Team | |
02/05/2004 | ||
| Reauthorization Form | |
02/05/2004 | ||
| English LEP Poster for staff area | |
8/16/2017 | ||
| LEP Poster for public area | |
|
|
8/16/2017 |
| HIPAA Rights Poster | |
|
|
01/09/2005 |
| HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices | |
|
|
07/01/2017 |
| “Free Interpretation Service Available” Poster | |
03/2016 | ||
| SJCBHS Compliance Hotline Poster | |
11/1/2004 | ||
| SJCBHS Standards of Conduct Poster | |
06/2010 | ||
| Provider ID Request | |
03/2022 |
| Quality Report | Date |
|---|---|
| 2019-20 BHS Cultural Competency Plan Update | 02/07/2020 |
| Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Workplan FY21-22 | 11/08/2021 |
| 1 Contractor Certification Clauses-307 | 05/27/2014 |
| 2 Exhibit D(F) | 05/27/2014 |
| San Joaquin Exh A-Perf Cont 2013-14 | 05/27/2014 |
| San Joaquin PC Exh B 2013-14 | 05/27/2014 |
| San Joaquin PC Exh F-icsr 2013-14 | 05/27/2014 |
| Exh G - perf contract 3-5-14 final for 4-18-14 | 05/27/2014 |
| Performance Report | Date |
|---|---|
| Performance Outcome Systems Report | 08/03/2016 |
| Performance Outcome Systems Report ADA | 08/03/2016 |
| Performance Outcomes Adult Specialty Mental Health Services Report | 09/01/2016 |
| Performance Outcomes Adult Specialty Mental Health Services Report ADA | 08/01/2017 |
| Performance Outcomes Children and Youth Mental Health Services Report ADA | 08/03/2017 |
| POS Adult Report San Joaquin | 08/03/2017 |
| POS Child Report San Joaquin | 08/03/2017 |
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