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The County of Santa Cruz Human Services Department's Adult Protective Services (APS) provides intervention services to protect elderly or dependent adults from abuse, neglect, or exploitation. We support older and disabled adults who may be experiencing physical assault or abuse, domestic and/or family violence, sexual assault or abuse, bullying (verbal, cyber, or physical), stalking, harassment, neglect, identity theft or fraud, financial crime or scams.

County APS agencies investigate reports of abuse of elders and dependent adults who live in private homes, apartments, hotels, hospitals, or who are, or soon will be, experiencing homelessness. We support older and disabled adults regardless of status-if you are experiencing homelessness; are an immigrant; identify as LBGTQIA+; are a Veteran, have a physical or mental disability; or if you have limited English language proficiency.

• Adult Physical Assault (includes aggravated and simple assault)
• Adult sexual assault;Adults sexually abused/assaulted as children
• Arson
• Bullying (Verbal, Cyber, or Physical)
• Burglary;Child Physical Abuse or Neglect
• Child Pornography
• Child sexual abuse/assault
• Domestic and/or Family Violence
• Elder Abuse or Neglect
• Hate Crime: Racial/religious/gender/sexual orientation/other
• Human trafficking: sex
• Identity theft/fraud/financial crime
• Kidnapping (non-custodial)
• Kidnapping (custodial)
• Other: vehicular victimization (e. g. hit and run)
• Robbery
• Stalking/harassment
• Survivors of homicide victims
• Teen dating victimization
• Terrorism (domestic/international)

The Diversity Center supports Gender Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) in middle and high schools through workshops, special events, and resource sharing. We organize social gatherings and activities for LGBTQ+ and allied youth (ages 11-18) and young adults (ages 18-24), including mental health fairs, Queer Prom, and CampOUT. In response to community needs, we launched a playgroup for gender-diverse children (ages 5-11) in collaboration with TransFamilies. All program participants are asked to complete our Community Connection Survey annually.

Key Programs

Rainbow Kids: A monthly 90 minute playgroup for gender diverse, LGBTQ+ kids and allies elementary school age 5-11 and their families. Co-facilitated with TransFamilies.

Prismatic Youth Gatherings: A monthly activity for LGBTQ+ and allied youth ages 11-18. This program is designed to help youth feel a sense of belonging and empowerment.

GenderVentures: A monthly support group for gender-diverse youth ages 11-18. This program encourages youth to explore and understand how gender informs the way we experience the world. One of the best ways to freely explore gender diversity safely, is to do so with community!

We host an annual Queer Prom and CampOUT for LGBTQ+ and allied youth ages 14-18.

Youth Services: CAREER EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH & WELLNESS, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, YOUTH LEADERSHIP

Services include therapy groups/survivor support groups for women, men, all-genders, parents of survivors and Latina survivors, workshops on Healing the Brain and the Nervous System, Relationships and Connection, Healing and the Body, Compassionate Communication, Creativity, lending library, information and referrals, special events and a safe place for fellowship and peer support. We also provide training, resources, presentations, and outreach to the community around the issue of child sexual abuse and sexual violence. Survivors/victims services: Mental Health Services, Support Groups Serve victims/survivors who are impacted by the following crimes: Child sexual abuse/assault

Provides comprehensive, strengths-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate behavioral health services for Medi-Cal eligible children and youth who have moderate to severe behavioral health needs.

Services include assessment, treatment planning, psychotherapy (individual, family), case management, and psychiatric care (evaluation and medication management). Services delivered at County behavioral health clinic locations, community, or home-based settings, as clinically appropriate.

The Access Team provides 24-hour confidential crisis intervention and referral services (800-952-2335).

Provides substance use disorder prevention, early intervention, and treatment services across the continuum of care.

Stress Busters: Behavioral & Mental Health, Mental Healthcare, Mindfulness Practices, Supportive Relationships

Youth Services: CAREER EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH & WELLNESS, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, YOUTH LEADERSHIP

Trains volunteers to work with children who have been removed from their homes, declared dependents of the court due to abuse, neglect or abandonment and placed in foster care. Court Appointed Special Advocates work for a judge, alongside attorneys and social workers, as sworn officers of the court to advocate for children. Advocates receive an initial 35 hours of training and volunteer 10-15 hours per month on behalf of one child. The volunteer advocates on behalf of the child until the case is resolved. Youth Services: Academic Support, Career Exploration and Development, Health and Wellness, Social-Emotional Support, Youth Leadership.

Stress Busters: Experiencing Nature, Mental Healthcare, Mindfulness Practices, Physical Activity, Supportive Relationships (Foster Youth Only)

Services include therapy groups/survivor support groups for women, men, all-genders, parents of survivors and Latina survivors, workshops on Healing the Brain and the Nervous System, Relationships and Connection, Healing and the Body, Compassionate Communication, Creativity, lending library, information and referrals, special events and a safe place for fellowship and peer support. We also provide training, resources, presentations, and outreach to the community around the issue of child sexual abuse and sexual violence. Survivors/victims services: Mental Health Services, Support Groups Serve victims/survivors who are impacted by the following crimes: Child sexual abuse/assault

• Adult Physical Assault (includes aggravated and simple assault)
• Arson
• Bullying (Verbal, Cyber, or Physical)
• Burglary
• Domestic and/or Family Violence
• DUI/DWI Incidents
• Other: vehicular victimization (e. g. hit and run)
• Robbery
• Teen dating victimization