ABOUT TULARE COUNTY HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY- VISALIA, C
Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency, located in Visalia, Calif., offers outpatient treatment to adults and youth struggling with mental illness. The goal of the treatment program is prevent hospitalization and enable individuals to remain independent and successful in their community. The mental health program is a service of Tulare County whose vision is to facilitate healthy children and adults, supportive families, and thriving communities through effective policies, practices, and services in the community. Mental health services are provided at two adult clinics in Visalia and Porterville. Porterville also offers a children’s clinic. The county works with other mental health providers in the community to make services accessible to all.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The facility’s treatment program is outpatient-based and may include individual, group, and family therapy. The clinics provide psychiatric evaluation, consultation, and medication support along with crisis emergency assistance. Referrals for other health services are made through the clinic. Clients in need of treatment for co-occurring disorders of mental illness and substance abuse will find coordinated services through the treatment program. Case managers who specialize in mental health will work with clients to link them with other services in the community as needed.
The county has two large vehicles that serve as mobile clinics to bring care to the rural population. The mobile clinics provide easier access to therapy, education, peer support, medication assistance, and health screenings.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
There is currently no detailed information provided by the facility regarding its treatment staff. Review of the facility’s website indicates that there are currently job openings for a psychiatrist, psychologist, physician assistant, and nurse practitioner within the mental clinic.
REVIEWS
At the time of this writing there has been one alum polled by Best-rehabs.com. The alum gave the facility a positive rating. The client, P.R., gave the facility five out of five stars for treatment effectiveness and five stars for accommodations & amenities. She strongly agreed that the facility staff were experienced and well-trained; that the facility was adequately equipped and staffed to treat co-occurring mental health problems in addition to substance use disorders; and that the alum would recommend this facility to a friend or loved one who was considering rehab. She felt that strengths of the facility were its “Treatment modules, size, location, teacher to client ratio very good.” She also added that “The counselors are also showing by example their dedication to how The Twelve Steps can be a way out.”
On the facility’s Facebook page, which it can manage, there is an overall rating of 4.1 out of five stars based on 20 total reviews.[1] Most reviewers gave the facility a positive review although there were some negative reviews. Loved one A.L.A., who gave one star, was not happy with the service offered at the facility. She wrote “My son’s psychiatrist told me that if I had a problem I was to call your hotline. I have called. More than five hours later I still have no help at my house…My kid is in crisis. Where are you when I need you? You have failed us.”
FINANCING
There is currently no information provided by the facility regarding its costs. Tulare County is able to link residents with assistance to cover medical services and other benefits for those who qualify. It is not clear if there is a cost associated with the mental health clinic.