La Familia Central Valley Secures Funding for Community-Embedded Mental Health Initiative
Stanislaus County, CA – La Familia Central Valley (LFCV) has been awarded Stanislaus County’s highly competitive “Embedded Neighborhood Mental Health Team” Innovation Project, authorized by the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services department. This initiative, known as Stan Connect – Building Healthy Neighborhoods, will establish an Embedded Neighborhood Mental Health Team to provide critical mental health support in multiple communities, including the City of Riverbank and the neighborhoods of the Airport District and West Modesto. Over a five-year period, LFCV aims to serve 1,250 individuals through this groundbreaking effort.
With this funding, LFCV will deploy three dedicated teams embedded within each target neighborhood. Each team will consist of a Mental Health Specialist and a Promotora, ensuring accessible, culturally responsive support directly within the community.
Community-Based Mental Health Services LFCV will operate brick-and-mortar locations in each neighborhood to serve as centralized hubs for outreach, referrals, screenings, assessments, case management, and support services. These locations include:
- Riverbank Unified School District: C.A.S.A del Rio
- Orville Wright Elementary: Healthy Start Family Resource Center
- Franklin Elementary School: Healthy Start Family Resource Center
In addition to services provided at these hubs, LFCV’s teams will conduct daily “walkabouts”, bringing essential mental health support directly to community members where they live and work.
Key Program Components
- Proactive Community Outreach: Each team will conduct at least two walkabouts per shift to engage residents, raise awareness about mental health resources, and support historically underserved LGBTQIA+ and ethnic communities.
- Service Linkage: Teams will partner with local organizations to connect individuals to vital community resources and facilitate self-directed recovery.
- Personalized One-on-One Support: Staff will assist individuals in navigating the mental health care system, advocating for their needs, and ensuring culturally competent care.
- Direct Treatment & Case Coordination: Each team will develop individualized treatment plans and provide hands-on case management for those in need.
“We are thrilled to bring these much-needed mental health and support services to Riverbank, West Modesto, and the Airport District. By embedding our teams within these communities, we eliminate barriers to care and provide help exactly where families need it—right in their neighborhoods.”
— Manuel J. Jimenez Jr., Regional Director, La Familia Central Valley
Expanding Access to Mental Health Care This initiative builds upon LFCV’s existing programs funded through state and federal grants. The organization’s Mental Health Access Project, supported by federal funding, has already expanded access to culturally competent, trauma-informed care across Stanislaus County. Additionally, LFCV has secured three federal grants to enhance school-based mental health services, reduce school violence, and divert students from the justice system in Hughson, Patterson, Delhi, Winton, Hilmar, and Riverbank Unified School Districts.
With a community-first approach, LFCV is redefining accessible mental health care in the Central Valley. By embedding services within neighborhoods and prioritizing trust and connection, the organization is setting a new standard for mental health support in underserved communities.
For more information about La Familia’s services in the Central Valley, visit https://lafamiliacentralvalley.org. For information about Bay Area programs, visit https://livelafamilia.org.
Media Contact:
Manuel J. Jimenez, Jr., MA, LMFT
Regional Director, La Familia Central Valley
Email: mjimenez@livelafamilia.org
Phone: 209-633-3057