Family Member Arrested

Support Your Relative: Sometimes our family member’s impaired mental health causes behavior that leads to arrest. Having a loved one who suffers from a brain disorder and has been arrested and/or jailed can be stressful and worrisome. You will likely feel that your loved one belongs in treatment – not in jail.  But once they come under the jurisdiction of the courts, they must comply with the legal process. Your goal, and theirs, is to advocate for psychiatric treatment rather than incarceration, and to eventually have charges dismissed. To do that, someone must show how their psychiatric illness affected their behavior leading to arrest. The information provided on this web site will help you advocate for your loved one while they are in the court system. You can provide strong and effective support during this critical time by doing the following:

1. When contacted by your loved one, stay calm and offer your support.
2. Become informed about how people with mental illness are handled by the courts – Thoroughly review the information on this web page.  If you have more specific questions about helping your arrested loved one/friend with a mental illness, you can contact the NAMI Helpline at 408-453-0400 option 1 during NAMI office hours (Monday – Friday, 10 am – 6 pm)
3. Obtain your family member/friend‘s booking number and PFN, to help you find out about their charges, jail location, and upcoming court hearings. If you speak with the inmate by phone, ask them to read the booking number printed on their wristband. (See the Obtaining Inmate Information section below). If they are released on their own recognizance, you can help them keep track of pending court dates.  Whether they are released or remain in jail, you can plan on attending court hearings.  (See the Attending Court Hearings section).
4. Tell the family member/friend that a screening in Booking will be conducted for mental health issues, and that it is OK to discuss medical and mental health concerns with nursing and mental health staff. It is important that inmates feel safe to speak openly with these professionals.  (See the Mental Health Screening in the Jail section).
5. If release is unlikely to occur soon, and you are concerned about important information reaching jail Medical and/or Mental Health staff, you may complete an AB1424 Form. (See the Sending Medical and/or Psychiatric Information to the Jail section below)
6. Reassure your loved one of the right to legal representation. If they do not want or cannot afford a private attorney, they will be assigned a Public Defender, who is usually quite knowledgeable about mental health issues and Mental Health Court. If they still prefer a private lawyer. assist them in making contact with a lawyer who is familiar with mental health law and the Santa Clara County courts. (See the Legal Representation section)
7. Having a loved one in jail can be stressful for family and friends. You may wish to attend a friends and family support group.  The following group is specifically focused on people who have a loved one who has been arrested and are in jail and/or awaiting court hearings

Family Jail Support Group
1^st Wednesday of the month, 6:30-8:00 pm FLYER

Note:  The Family Jail Support Group currently meets online only, FIRST WEDNESDAY 6:30-8:00 pm. To register, at least 2 hours prior to group start time, go to https://bit.ly/1w-jcs-fsg

For more information, email jcs@namisantaclara.org

* Read some valuable, practical advice from a Family Jail Support Group leader:
Tips From Family Members of Persons Arrested

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After initial booking at the Main Jail, an arrestee goes through an Intake process, during which they are interviewed by a registered nurse who looks for medical or mental health issues. The RN may request a further mental health screening after the interview.  The Santa Clara County Sheriff Department and County Health Services (CHS) personnel work together to identify inmates reporting or exhibiting symptoms of mental illness (see the Mental Health Screening in the Jail section). It is very important that people brought into custody be forthright and honest to benefit as much as possible from the health services offered within the jail system. Important Tips:

• If your family member/friend is being held in county jail, remind him/her of the right to have an attorney present if being questioned by police officers or detectives.
• Assure your family member/friend that it is OK to discuss his/her physical and mental condition, diagnosis, medications, etc., with the jail staff conducting the screening and assessment, which includes Custody Health Services nursing mental health staff.
• See the Sending Medical and/or Psychiatric Information to the Jail section for instructions on how to provide jail medical and mental health personnel with your loved one’s history and current treatment information.

Classification

Once a person is screened, the jail Classification Unit evaluates where they should be housed in the jail, to provide for their safety in the “least restrictive environment”. Inmates identified with serious mental health symptoms may be housed in Special Management units (also known as “mental health housing”) at Elmwood or the Main Jail for closer supervision and treatment.  Persons with acute mental health symptoms who require immediate intervention and meet criteria for an involuntary 72-hour psychiatric hold will be housed in the LPS-designated unit in the Main Jail, also known as the 8A unit.  If your loved one’s current mental health seems stable, he or she may be recommended for housing in a general population unit.  If your loved one has chronic symptoms, a pattern of self-harm behavior, and/or you have concerns for his or her well-being due to ongoing mental health issues, you may decide to advocate for them to be transferred to a Special Management unit by providing CHS staff with his or her treatment history and, if needed, by requesting a mental health evaluation. Again, see the Sending Medical and/or Psychiatric Information to the Jail section for instructions. However, please note that the classification unit may require your loved one to be housed in a housing unit compatible with security level or other custody reason which may override the request for Special Management housing by mental health staff.

Bail

Think carefully about posting bail for your family member. No one wants a loved one to remain incarcerated for any length of time, as it is an unpleasant experience for them as well as the family. But ask yourself the following question: Will your family member be able to comply with the terms of bail and appear in court when required? Also, as hard as it may seem, jail can be a safer place for a person with severe mental illness who is in crisis, especially if the alternative is that they wander the streets with no help at all. In jail they will at least have food and shelter, and be given access to medication and other mental health treatment.

Misdemeanor and Felony Case Process

The Santa Clara County Superior Court Self-Help website offers information on how Misdemeanor and Felony criminal cases are handled in the Courts. Refer to these pages for more specific information, but be aware that they do not mention how defendants may be referred to Mental Health Court.

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* Note: Key information you will need to locate and track your family member/friend in the jail system and throughout the criminal justice process are the 1) booking number and 2) PFN (personal file number – 3 letters followed by 3 numbers).  Remember to ask for these when obtaining information.  Options:

• Search online via the Online Inmate Locator (After entering the person’s name and DOB or Arrest Date, you will find their PFN, location, and date of next court hearing.)
• Call the jail’s administrative booking unit, (408) 299-2305. Please note that this line is very busy so be patient.
• Visit the administrative booking office at 885 North San Pedro Street, San Jose, CA 95110. The office is open to the public 5 a.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week.

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• Office of the Sheriff Custody Bureau – The Office of the Sheriff manages County jails. This web page has information on jail facilities, custody departments and services.
• Office of the Sheriff Custody Services – Includes the following services useful to family members:
  • Online Inmate Locator (OVR) (“Who’s in Jail”)
  • Inmate Visit Information (“Schedule Jail Visit”)
  • Custody Commissary (“Deliver packages to family members, friends in jail”)
• Inmate Mail Rules
• Public Defenders Office: “Clients with Behavioral Health Needs” – offers clarifying information “If you or a loved one has been arrested and you have been referred to the Public Defender Office by NAMI’.
• Santa Clara Superior Court “Collaborative Courts” – has information about mental health treatment and diversion courts, as well as other diversion programs
• AB 1424 Form – Use to provide medical/mental health information to jail or court authorities.  See the AB1424 Form web page for detailed instructions and versions of the form in Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog and Vietnamese.
• Family Input Form – Use to provide mental health history information to court authorities: the Public Defender, District Attorney and Judge. (This shorter form can be used instead of, or in addition to, the AB1424).

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The AB1424 Form, jointly developed by NAMI SCC and the County of Santa Clara for use by family members in providing mental health information to authorities when their loved one is held involuntarily, can be completed and given to either:

• In jail, to the Custody Health Services staff
• If a Public Defender is assigned, to the Public Defender’s Office
• If you are going to court, to the Public Defender/private attorney, District Attorney and/or Presiding Judge (Note:Usually, you give the forms to court bailiff to distribute in court).

This form is an extremely useful tool for informing legal authorities about an inmate’s mental health issues and history. In filling out the form, we recommend you be concise and stick to factual information.  You may also want to include a document listing a recent psychiatric diagnosis from a doctor or medical facility (such as on discharge paperwork).  Family members communicating to a judge, District Attorney or Public Defender may complete and submit (or bring to court) the AB1424 form and/or the simpler Family Input Form.  * Visit the AB1424 Form web page for more information and downloadable copies of these forms in English and (for the AB1424 From) in other languages.

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The Santa Clara County Custody Health Services Department offers a comprehensive range of mental health services. Initial psychiatric assessments are conducted to determine the need for such care. Professional nursing and social work staff provide these assessments, schedule follow-up services and advise Classification staff regarding inmate placement or special housing requirements. The Santa Clara County Custody Health Services Department offers a comprehensive range of mental health services. Nursing staff in booking provide an initial screening for medical and mental health issues. If further evaluation is needed, licensed clinicians and/or psychiatrists provide initial mental health assessments to determine what level of care and services are needed. Following this assessment, clinicians in booking routinely request follow-up services and make mental health housing recommendations to Classification staff.

Mental health screening services are provided to the following inmate patients:

• Inmates who have been identified as having previously received psychiatric service in the community, and who request continuation of services.
• Inmates who are interested in receiving psychiatric care while in custody without previous psychiatric care in the community.
• Inmates who, after being assessed by Medical staff, are believed to require psychiatric services while in custody.
• Inmates in crisis are seen immediately and other Inmates are seen in as timely a fashion as possible.

Mental health services include:

• Assessment of immediate mental health and psychosocial needs
• Medication evaluation/management
• Supportive and crisis counseling
• Development of appropriate treatment plans
• Individual and group therapy
• Collateral contacts with family, attorneys, and others involved in discharge planning
• Development of appropriate discharge plans
• Referrals to community-based services and other resources

Mental health services are available to all inmates, but certain services, like group therapy, may be limited to specific housing units that offer treatment services.  Psychiatric clinic services are available several days per week, and medication may be prescribed. Short term crisis intervention is available, and may be requested by any jail staff member or by the inmate. Discharge planning and case management is also provided to inmates who require these services.

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Any medical and/or psychiatric information you can provide to jail medical/mental health staff is tremendously valuable in helping them assess and choose the best treatment for your loved one. Be aware that, although Custody Health Services staff often prefer to continue with current treatment if it has been effective, they must still conduct their own assessment.  Your family member/friend may end up on a different medication, for instance. Use the AB 1424 Form to communicate medical and psychiatric information and history to jail authorities: You can prepare and send a fax to the jail requesting that your relative/friend be screened for placement in the mental health unit.

• Download the AB1424 Form. Print the form and fill it out.
• Add a cover letter that includes the following identifying information:
  • Full legal name
  • Date of Birth
  • Booking Number
  • PFN Number
• On the cover letter, request that the attached form(s) be included in their record.  Also, indicate whether your relative/friend has provided you with a written confidentiality waiver (if not, request that they be asked to sign one while in jai)l. The Custody Health Services staff is prohibited by law from giving anyone information about a client’s status unless they have the client’s consent, but they can receive information from relatives or friends without the client’s consent.  The rest of the fax will either be the completed AB1424 Form, or else a written summary the following information:
  • His/her diagnosis
  • His/her psychiatrist’s name, phone number and address
  • Prescribed medication (name, dosage and time of day to be administered)
  • Whether a particular medication has proven to be ineffective or has dangerous and/or uncomfortable side effects
  • Any history of suicide attempts/threats or other violent intentions in the recent past
  • Briefly describe the events and when they occurred
  • Any other urgent medical conditions that might require immediate attention, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, seizures, heart problems, etc., and medications currently prescribed for those conditions.
  • Your relative/friend’s medical doctor’s name, address and phone number for verification purposes.
  • Keep a copy of this fax for future reference.
• Send the AB1424 Form to the Jail Custody Mental Health Services through email or Fax
  • Main jail: Email Rama Hao at Ramadevi.hao@hhs.sccgov.org
  •  Elmwood/CCW: Email Kathryn Parlet at Kathryn.Parlet@hhs.sccgov.org

(*Please note: Custody Mental Health Services staff do not have the resources to call or email you back to confirm receipt of these forms)

If you don’t know your loved one’s mental health information, you can also ask their psychiatrist to email their mental health diagnosis, medication, and psychiatrist contact information to the Custody Mental Health staff listed above. If they refuse to share information with jail staff, you can try asking them to send the information to you. To ensure a written record of your request, it is best to do this in writing and then follow up with a phone call.  Your request should be to the point and include your contact information. Once you receive these documents from their psychiatrist, fax then to Custody Health Services as instructed above.

Ways to Immediately Contact Jail Medical and Mental Health Staff

(Please note that the Mental Health and Medical services are separate departments within Custody Health Services, and that contact numbers may differ depending on whether someone is at Elmwood or the Mail Jail).

if you have inmate related Mental Health concerns, and want to talk to someone via phone, you can call the:

• Behavioral Health Care Program Services Manager (for both Main Jail & Elmwood): (408) 808-5220 or Main jail: Email Rama Hao at Ramadevi.hao@hhs.sccgov.org
• Elmwood/CCW: Email Kathryn Parlet at Kathryn.Parlet@hhs.sccgov.org

if you have inmate related Medical concerns, and want to talk to someone via phone, you can call (ask to speak to a shift Supervisor or Charge Nurse):

• Elmwood Jail (Nurse/records) : (408) 957-5339
• San Jose Main Jail: Charge Nurse Desk – (408) 808-5229. 
• San Jose Medical Records Desk – (408) 808-5200

If you urgently need to contact jail staff (i.e., you feel your loved one is in immediate danger), you can call the Jail Crisis Lines:

• Elmwood: (408) 934-5137
• Main Jail: (408) 808-5221

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All persons arrested and charged with a crime have a right to legal representation.  If they do not have or cannot afford a private attorney, a government attorney (the Public Defender) is assigned at arraignment.  There are advantages and disadvantages to both options: using the Public Defender or hiring a private lawyer.

Using the Public Defender

Do not be afraid to use a Public Defender – they have knowledge of the Santa Clara County criminal justice system as it pertains to those who need mental health services.  A Public Defender can often be more effective than a private attorney, who may not be familiar with Mental Health Court and how to advocate for clients with mental health challenges. Here is more specific information from the Public Defenders Office about how they work with “Clients with Behavioral Health Needs”. the Public Defender’s Office (PDO) normally appreciates any information you can provide on your loved one’s mental health history. You can offer a lot of information in a concise format via the AB1424 Form.

Contacting the Public Defender

After the arraignment hearing, you can call the Public Defender’s Office at the court where the case is being heard and ask for the name. phone number and email/fax of the attorney who will be handling the case.
Some tips on contacting the Public Defender:

• The attorney is most likely to be at their desk in the morning between 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. before court begins or later in the afternoon after 3:30 p.m.
• If the attorney doesn’t answer, leave a message requesting a return call, and include your name, phone number, family member’s name and, if possible, the case number and court date.
• Due to attorney-client confidentiality, the attorney may not be able to share all information with you. Remember, it is your family member, not you, who is the attorney’s client.
• When you reach the attorney, inform them of your family member’s mental health condition and any information that may be beneficial to the case. You can offer to fax or email the AB1424 Form containing their psychiatric history.
• Attorneys are extremely busy and many will appreciate written or faxed correspondence instead of a phone call.

The PDO Mental Health Unit

If you are having trouble contacting your loved one’s public defender (who may be in court, or working on many other cases), you can contact the PDO (Public Defenders Office) Mental Health Unit.  Be aware that the PDO Mental Health Unit receives an enormous number of phone calls from clients and their families each day.  If you have to leave a voice mail, or if you send an email, you can expect to hear back within two business days.

PDO Mental Health Contacts:

• Mental Health Paralegal, PDO: Mairead O’Keefe–   Email: Mairead.O’Keefe@pdo.sccgov.org
• Social Workers, PDO: Phone:  (408) 299-7797.  Fax:  (408) 938-1106 You can contact any one of the PDO Mental Health Social Workers below:

• • Don Le –  Email:  Don.Le@pdo.sccgov.org
  • Lupe Ramirez – Email: Guadalupe.ramirez@pdo.sccgov.org
  • Harpreet Samra – Email: Harpreet.samra@pdo.sccgov.org
  • Marie Danh (Alt. Defendor’s Office) – Email: marie.danh@ado.sccgov.org

Hiring a Private Lawyer

There may be some situations in which hiring a private attorney is necessary. If you are facing serious, complex criminal charges or a lawsuit, for example, such a lawyer can help you understand the specific legal issues of your case. Persons who have the financial means to hire an attorney may be denied a Public Defender. If you or a family member with mental health challenges are facing criminal charges and decide to retain a private attorney, be sure to select one who is well versed in helping people with mental illness. They should understand the mental health services and options available in the Santa Clara County court system, including Mental Health Collaboration Courts.  If they do not have this knowledge and experience, ask them to consult with the Office of the Public Defender., who are usually willing to help private attorneys understand how to best defend people with mental illness in the Santa Clara County courts.

Private Legal Services

Most free or “pro-bono” legal services organization will only handle civil (not criminal) cases. Be aware that attorneys who handle criminal cases will charge for their services.  To locate a private attorney with experience in criminal cases, you can try:

• Lawyer Referral Services or 408-971-6822 – Provided by the Santa Clara County Bar Association, this service can help match you with qualified, pre-screened attorneys who can meet your specific needs.  You will receive a free 30-minute consultation.  If you then choose to hire that person or another attorney via the service, you pay a small, non-refundable administration fee.
• Public Attorney Directory – Searchable listing of attorneys who are members of the Santa Clara County Bar Association.  Can filter by city and practice area.
• Commercial legal websites with attorney databases searchable by legal issue, location, lawyer name and other filtes. Some attorney profiles may have customer ratings.
  • FindLaw
  • Justia
  • Avvo.com

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Attending Court Hearings

After the initial arraignment hearing, you may want to attend your loved one or friend’s other court hearings, to offer support and/or to provide your input to the judge and District Attorney.  This way, you may have an opportunity to explain how their mental health issues contributed to their arrest and how they might mitigate the legal consequences. You can find out when the next court hearing will occur by accessing the online Santa Clara County Courts Inmate Locator. Tips for attending court hearings:

• If possible, consult with your loved one’s attorney before going to the hearing. You can try sending a copy of the AB1424 Form to the attorney prior to the hearing.
• When attending court, dress in business-like attire and be well prepared to address the judge.
• Bring a friend with you for moral support.  It can be especially helpful to bring someone who has experience advocating for their own loved ones in court.
• Complete the AB1424 Form and/or the Family Input Form, and bring 3 copies to the hearing.  * Be as brief and concise on the AB1424 as possible, and add a cover letter explaining in your own words that you believe your loved one needs treatment rather than jail time, and that what you are hoping the court will decide (such as that you would like to see their case assigned to Mental Health Court).  If you do not have time or ability to complete the AB1424 Form, you can alternatively complete and bring the Family Input Form (which is both simple and concise) to court.  The Family Input Form can also be used as the cover page for the AB1424.  Give these documents to the Bailiff upon entering the court room, and request that one copy each go to the Public Defender, District Attorney and Presiding Judge.
• The District Attorney has enormous influence on decisions made in the case.  If you have the chance to speak the him or her before or after a hearing, do so in a respectful and collaborative manner.
• If you haven’t yet requested that your loved one or friend be referred to Mental Health Court, and you think they may qualify, you can do so now to the Public Defender, DA, and/or to the Judge.

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Mental Health Treatment and DIversion Courts (aka “Mental Health Court”) are specialized problem-solving courts that link offenders who would normally serve prison time to community-based mental health (and drug) community treatment services. Potential participants are usually assigned to Mental Health Court after a screening process that considers criteria such as: type of charges, criminal history, and psychiatric history. Defendants who fit the criteria and agree to participate (usually by pleading guilty to charges) receive a treatment plan and other community supervision conditions. The participant usually has to return to court periodically so the judge can ensure they are complying with court orders. If they adhere to their treatment plan for the agreed upon time, their cases are either dismissed or the sentences greatly reduced.  Guilty pleas may be changed to non-guilty, fines and fees may be dropped, and charges may be reduced or expunged from their record.  If the defendant does not comply with the court conditions, or leaves the program, their case returns to the original criminal calendar where prosecution proceeds as normal.

The judge in Mental Health court (in Santa Clara County, this is currently Judge Stephen Manley) plays a larger role than a judge in a conventional court, and presides at every hearing. He can use his judicial authority to solve problems and to change a defendant’s behavior. This helps to foster an ongoing relationship between the judge and participants. Although the judge has final say over a case, mental health courts also take a team approach in which the defense attorney, prosecutor, mental health court social workers (with the Behavioral Health Treatment Team) and community treatment professionals work collaboratively to come up with solutions. The Mental Health Court in Santa Clara County has a good reputation and has been used a model for other mental health courts.

Assignment to Mental Health Court can be requested by the Public Defender or private defense attorney, recommended by Pre-Trial Services, accepted by the District Attorney, and/or mandated by a Judge. If your loved one has legal charges that you think were influenced by their mental illness, you will want to advocate that they be assigned to Mental Health Court.  But be aware that, depending on the charges and past criminal history, the District Attorney’s Office may decide they do not qualify.  In that case, you may still want to attend court to present your own information and insight into their mental health issues, as this may influence a judge’s final sentence.

Need to find out a court date in the Mental Health/Drug Court?  Call the Mental Health/Drug Court Clerk directly at (408) 491-4811.  Family members and friends may be able to speak with a defense attorney, or a Behavioral Health Treatment Team member while court is in session.  Make your request through the court bailiff, who will pass on the request. Also, family/friends can try contacting the Behavioral Health Treatment Team during lunch hours by calling 408-491-4770.For more insight on how Mental Health Court works, see: Tips From Family Members of Persons Arrested

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The Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services addresses the mental health needs of individuals with concurrent mental health and substance abuse disorders, who are involved in the criminal justice system. Listed below are mental health related Criminal Justice programs and services:

Reentry Resource Center (RRC)
151 West Mission Street, San Jose, CA 95110
*Update* Hours:

San Jose – Phone: (408) 535-4299 Tu/Th 5-8pm & First Sat 8am-12pm (Client Service triage & information only)

Gilroy – (408) 201-0690 Tu/Th 8am-5pm (Limited Client registration & service). Call for more information.

The Reentry Resource Center is an excellent program that provides services and support to currently and formerly incarcerated Santa Clara County residents, including referrals to mental health and/or substance use treatment.  Its mission is to reduce recidivism by using evidence-based practices in implementing a seamless system of services, supports, and supervision.

Intake Process:

To apply for services (*Note: To qualify for Reentry Services, you must be a resident of Santa Clara County and a current inmate, or a former inmate who has been released within the past 12 months):

• Current Inmates – Ask for an “Inmate Request Form”, and check the box for “Reentry Resource Center.”
• Former Inmates – Once released from custody, call or go directly to the Reentry Resource Center during business hours (listed above). If possible, bring:
  • ID/Social Security Card
  • Proof of residency in Santa Clara County
  • Income verification
  • Probation/parole/court release docs

Services Include:

• Referral for mental health and/or substance use treatment services
• Public benefit enrollment (Medi-Cal, Cal Fresh & General Assistance)
• Counseling
• Reentry Mobile Medical Unit
• Resource navigation from peer support and community health workers
• Expungement (record clearing)
• Child Support Services
• Housing/shelter information
  Possible referrals to:
• Employment or vocation training
• Education
• Family reunification
• Legal services
• Health & well-being

Mission Street Sobering Center – 24×7 Outpatient alcohol & drug sobering and mental mealth triage services.  This center can serve as an alternative to jail or an ER visit for intoxicated indivifuals. Call 408-648-4411 for information, assessment and space availability.

Faith Reentry Collaborative Santa Clara County

The Santa Clara County Faith Reentry Collaborative is a network of multi-faith religious institutions, community organizations, and volunteers established to provide transitional services to newly released inmates. We offer hope, compassion, forgiveness, trust, and accountability together with immediate and long-term support to individuals and their families as they return to the community from incarceration. To obtain services, call 408-535-4274, or visit a Faith Based Resource Center.

Services include:

• Employment
• Housing
• Food/Clothing
• Mobility
• Connection to Spiritual Community
• Education Guidance
• Recovery Program
• Family Support

Mental Health Assessment Team (MHAT)
Drug and Mental Health Treatment Court, Department 61
201 N. 1^st Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: (408) 491-4700

THE MHAT provides engagement and assessment services to clients both incarcerated and those present at the Superior Court. Clinicians refer and/or connect the client to community resources to assist in the client’s successful transition from the jail to the community. They provide culturally competent services to both clients and their families and are able to educate the clients and families about relapse prevention (Spanish speaking services are available).

The Forensic, Diversion and Reintegration (FDR) Division

County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services department iaddresses the behavioral health needs of individuals with mental health, substance use disorders, or both who are involved in the criminal justice system. Multiple services and programs are available to assist an offender’s transition plan back into community. For a list of programs, go to the Forensic, Diversion and Reintegration (FDR) Division web page and scroll down to the end of the page. Individuals can be linked to these services in these ways:

• In-custody inmates may contact the BHSD Collaborative Courts assessors by calling the #60 speed dial number from their housing unit telephone
• Indivicual out of custody can go to the Reentry Resource Center located at 151 West Mission Street, San Jose, CA 95110 Phone: (408) 535-4299
• Indivicuals can be referred by justice agencies, such as Mental Health/Drug Court, Probation, Parole, Pretrial Services and Public Defender.

Non-County Inmate Reentry Services

Catholic Charities Inmate Support and Reentry – Offers Employment Services for Justice Involved Individuals, Services for Unhoused & Released from Incarceration and Faith-Based Reentry to former jail inmates.

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• Adult Custody Ombuds Office (ACOO) (replaces the Jail Observer Program) is a program with the Custody Bureau’s Grievance Unit to help people with multiple outstanding jail grievances. ACOO provides an informal, impartial resource and safe and confidential communication space for justice-involved individuals to discuss needs and options and helps support fair treatment and dignity in County jails.  For more information, call (408) 993-4140 or email acoombuds@eod.sccgov.org.
• Law Foundation of Silicon Valley  Call 408-294-9730 or 800-248-MHAP (6427)  – This program offers free advice, representation, & referrals for housing, government benefits and patient’s rights services. Eligibility: mentally or developmentally disabled. (*Note: MHAP can assist in civil cases but NOT in CRIMINAL cases.)
• Disability Rights California Call 510-267-1201 or 800-776-5746 – This state-wide organization provides civil rights education and advocacy, and direct legal assistance for disability-related cases.
• County of Santa Clara Office of the Public Defender Expungement/Record Clearances – Call 408-535-4290.  This program provides expungement (record clearance) services to clients who have misdemeanor or felony convictions on their record. See the web page for exclusions.
• San José State University Record Clearance Project (RCP) – Call 408-924-2758 or email expunge@sjsu.org. The RCP engages undergraduates in assisting eligible people to clear their criminal records. They provide individualized reviews of people’s rap sheets at “Speed Screening” drop-in advice sessions, and discuss the next steps in clearing the client’s record.  See the web site for Speed Screening dates and times.
• Stanford Community Law Clinic Criminal Record Expungement – Call 650-725-9200.  CLC law students handle a variety of post-conviction motions including expungements, felony reductions, early termination of probation, and Certificates of Rehabilitation.  The Clinic is open for intake during the early parts of the two academic quarters (usually in January and then again in April) and periodically over the summe
• LawHelpCA.org – Offers California residents legal information and an attorney/law agency search for a variety of legal issues.

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NAMI Santa Clara Helpline/Help Desk

The NAMI SCC Helpline has trained and knowledgeable volunteers who offer free and confidential information, referral and support services to individuals, family and friends who have been affected by mental illness, including those whose loved ones are in the jail/court system. Call 408-453-0400 x1   Mon – Fri, 10 am – 6 pm or Email:info@namisantaclara.org

NAMI Family Jail Support Group
1^st Wednesday of the month, 6:30-8:00 pm FLYER
For more information, email: jcs@namisantaclara.org

Note:  The Jail Family Support Group currently meets online only, FIRST WEDNESDAY 6:30-8:00 pm.. To register, at least 2 hours prior to group start time, go to https://bit.ly/1w-jcs-fsg

Current NAMI Resource Guide – Click on the current Resource Guide, which has a list of NAMI and other Family Support Groups on pages 2 & 3. Look for classes under the headings ” Family/Friends” or ” Consumer and Family/Friends”. NAMI Family support groups are offered in English, Spanish, Korean and Mandarin.

Organization Offering Family Mental Health Peer Support Services:

Santa Clara County Office of Family Affairs – Call 408-792-2166 The Office of Family Affairs assists families in navigating the Santa Clara County behavioral health system of care, and have an understanding of the other County systems, such as the Jail and Mental Health Court. They offer direct support, information and education with the goal of providing recovery and hope.  for help with court issues, you can also email Juan Perez (Office of Family Affairs Mental Health Peer Support Worker & Family WRAP® Group Facilitator en Español) at juan.perez@hhs.sccgov.org

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