BACS Aims to Transform Systems of Care: Announcing Major New Site

BACS is thrilled to announce that we have acquired the St. Regis, a 4.13-acre former retirement facility in Hayward, California. Our goal is to transform it into a comprehensive residential and community campus that will offer behavioral health and homelessness services.

In Alameda County, like in many other communities, the needs for help with behavioral health challenges, homelessness, and substance use far exceed the available resources. Existing resources are at capacity, and community members instead end up getting disjointed, expensive care at the jail, emergency department, psychiatric care facility, or inpatient hospital. That’s why we are determined to address these urgent gaps with the St. Regis project, which will break down barriers between the behavioral health and homelessness systems of care to interrupt these cycles.

BACS Featured in Tipping Point Report

BACS is very excited to amplify Tipping Point Community’s 2022 Impact Report! Tipping Point Community is an important funder of BACS’ most innovative solutions to the housing crisis, and it is our honor to be noted in their report. Check out the “Innovative Solutions to Promote Housing Stability” section to see our Shallow Subsidy program highlighted, and read about the fellowship of People of Color-led organizations that our CEO Jamie Almanza was an inaugural member of in the “Investing in Organizations Led by People of Color” section.

BACS’ Impact: A Client Letter

BACS recently helped Ms. Mitchell get out of homelessness. The night before she moved into her new home, Ms. Mitchell sent our team this letter:

This is my last night here before I move into the studio apartment that my incredible Housing Counselor found for me. Seeing this all calibrate quickly, into what at first appeared to be an impossible dream, made me very grateful for everyone’s input into making this all happen.

For all the hard work that went into this – one can’t just ride into the sunset off the backs of those professionals who worked hard together to make this all happen. I came here November 29, 2022, homeless off and on for five-years – ready to give up. I had been sleeping in my car, and was ready to die, until BACS re-housing program fulfilled its’ goals to house me, while I was still on a path to self-destruct.

To see [BACS] growing – means others like me don’t have to wait to die. Together we got through the pain of being homeless. Today, I am a woman who is guided by principal and by the determination to stay housed. Whether good or bad I call things the way I see them. However, I could not leave here without writing this thank you letter to you and your staff. So long to you all and thank you for everything.

Sincerely, Ms. Mitchell

This is the true impact of BACS’ work, and of the thousands of people who are involved in making success possible – our incredible team doing “whatever it takes,” the donors, foundations, and government partners who provide critical funding, the landlords who work with us to create new housing opportunities, and the people we serve, who never give up in pursuing their dreams. Congratulations on your new home, Ms. Mitchell!

Breaking Barriers in Antioch, CA

Transparency and Excellence: Quality Improvement Results

BACS takes quality improvement seriously, and embraces using data to drive program design, treatment options, and review the effectiveness of what we do. Like other providers, BACS routinely welcomes auditors to independently review our work, and we are proud to transparently release these audit findings publicly.

This was the fourth and final audit of our Alameda County Mental Health programs by an outside auditor, which showed that our error rate on assessments was just 0.01%, and our error rate on progress notes was 0.03%.  These rates are exceptionally low and far below industry standard, and we are so proud of our program staff and leadership for their tireless work in supporting our partners while maintaining documentation standards. The audit also noted that quality of care was evident in all cases reviewed, showed that BACS has a 100% success rate in creating safety plans, and demonstrated that BACS is meeting the changing documentation standards related to the CalAIM implementation.

366 People, Permanently Housed

This former Motel 6 is now Delta Landing, a BACS interim housing program serving unhoused neighbors in Contra Costa County. It started in 2020 as a Project Roomkey site as a spot to shelter-in-place during COVID for those without homes. In June of that year, Governor Newsom visited the site to announce Project Homekey, which three months later included this site itself as one of the first round awardees.

Fast forward to January 2023 — the 172-room site, which provides wraparound, health care, and rehousing services has permanently housed 366 people. We have served nearly 500 people, and counting, and over 80% of all exits have been to permanent homes.

We are grateful to Contra Costa Health for their partnership, vision, and determination to leverage statewide resources to invest in ending homelessness. BACS knows what works to end homelessness. The key to making it happen is unlocking resources to do what we know works.

Early Results from the Oakland Shallow Subsidy Pilot

BACS is constantly trying new things to end homelessness, and last year launched the Oakland Shallow Subsidy Pilot in partnership with the City of Oakland. The first cohort of recipients just completed their pilot period, and early data shows homelessness was prevented for 100% of households. Here is what a few of them had to say:

“This program has helped out a lot – without Shallow Subsidy, I probably would be homeless.” 

“I am so thankful for this program. It’s gotten me to a place where I can cover rent with my income and have some savings.” 

“I have appreciated the help and additional resources that the program had to offer. The staff was amazing to work with, they never looked down on you because of your situation.

186 people are still receiving Shallow Subsidies to prevent their homelessness and displacement. UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative is partnering with BACS to collect and evaluate the data, and will share a deep look at its impact once the pilot concludes.

Success Story: Product of Grace

Jessica Robblee’s story is one of perseverance and hope, despite the odds that were stacked against her.

Jessica struggled with drug use, homelessness, family disconnection, and too many encounters with law enforcement for 10 years. BACS got connected to Jessica after she was arrested in 2017, with her case manager Brandy focusing on helping Jessica on her sobriety journey and locating safe housing. Jessica herself acknowledges she was not always easy to help. “I have been around people who pushed me too much, but Brandy was super patient with me and did not push past what I could handle,” said Jessica. “I’m grateful to BACS and especially Brandy for sticking by me these past five years.” BACS kept working with Jessica and advocating for her to reach her goals.

Today, we are so proud and honored to share Jessica’s major achievement: she has purchased and opened her very own transitional sober living home, called “Product of Grace.” Jessica shared that her successes are a product of the grace extended to her by those around her during her years of challenges and recovery, and she wants to extend that grace to others by providing housing designed to help women who are on a similar journey.

Short-Term Program with Long-Term Results

When COVID-19 hit and “shelter in place” orders went into effect, BACS was on the front lines – in encampments, keeping emergency mental health centers open, and trying to address the compounding crisis. The tragedy of homelessness was exacerbated when people with nowhere to go were told to “shelter in place,” and encampment sweeps kept people on the move, exposing themselves to further risk. BACS worked with leaders across the Bay Area to do whatever it took to help our unhoused neighbors.

The City of Hayward responded quickly, and helped BACS open an extension to our Hayward Navigation Center – The Annex. The Hayward Annex was open for just over two years, and we are excited to share the impact: 102 people permanently housed. 

The Annex served approximately 30 people at a time, providing interim housing, housing navigation services, benefits advocacy, employment support, and independent living skills development. If you live in Hayward and want to see more results like this, donate to BACS today and help your neighbors.

The High Value of BACS Staff

What makes BACS special – so that more neighbors have housing instead of living on the streets, so that more people get the mental health care they need – is our incredible team. The 430+ people who leave their homes and show up to work everyday to do ‘whatever it takes’ for the community we serve.

“Every day, our staff come into work ready for anything – and they are working against massive odds with community members who are too often ignored. BACS team members are untold first responders, in hospitals and encampments and anywhere else there is a complex crisis. It is my sincere privilege to compensate the team as highly as we value them.” – Jamie Almanza, CEO

It is because of this that BACS took a major leap – and created a new “BACS minimum wage” – a living wage that complements our extremely comprehensive benefits package.  The new wage significantly raises all current staff dramatically – in most cases by 30%.

BACS is from the community and for the community. If you are looking for employment and want to be part of the “whatever it takes” movement – with pay and benefits that match your dedication and expertise – check out our open positions.

Grand Opening of Cedar Wellness Center

On December 2^nd, BACS launched our first Wellness Center in Sacramento County. Graced by dignitaries such as Supervisor Patrick Kennedy and Health Services Director Timothy Lutz, as well as our leadership team, staff and clients, we committed this space to healing and support for the community. The Cedar Wellness Center, located at 4600 47th Ave, Suite 111, Sacramento, is currently open Monday-Friday, 9am to 5:30pm. Check out January’s activity calendar or check our website to plan a visit.

BACS Launches NET Growth Movement

The NET Growth Movement is helping former foster youth transition into adulthood with the financial stability, personal strength, and community backing they need to thrive. Designed and founded by adults with experience in Alameda County foster care, powered by BACS, the NET Growth Movement provides a guaranteed income pilot ($1,000 per month for up to 24 months), a plethora of supports, and community-resource building. This is the first program of its kind in Alameda County, and the initial cohort is expected to start this month.

Dig into why this program is so important in our full launch announcement.

Santa Visits Homeless Families at the SHARE Center

Christmas magic came to the SHARE Center in Salinas this year when Santa visited and brought gifts for every one of the more than 100 residents working to get out of homelessness. This beautiful event, held for the first time in 2021, is thanks to Supervisor Luis Alejo and Mayor Kimbley Craig, donors and volunteers from Comcast, PepsiCo, the County of Monterey, and countless individuals who came together to make the holidays bright for families struggling with housing access.

Since the SHARE Center launched in 2021, 128 individuals/families have moved in to permanent housing. BACS is proud to be part of the Salinas community and do “whatever it takes” to end homelessness for each family we serve. It is our honor to share joy and celebrate holidays with our temporary residents while we build towards the dream of future holidays at home.

Need Help? Get Help Faster

We strive to ensure that every door is the right door when you come to BACS – including our website. Whether someone needs assistance with housing, employment, behavioral health, food, healthcare, community-building, or many other needs, BACS will do “whatever it takes” to get them the help they need.

The Get Help page on our website now has all our neighborhood hubs – expanded recently to include new sites in Sacramento – where anybody in need is welcomed and will find the support they need. Please help spread the word of this resource, and we look forward to seeing you in our neighborhood.

Once A Townie

Since Towne House was founded in 1969, the “Townie” community has grown large and deep roots in our community. So many of the people who come to Towne House find a new sense of belonging, as people are welcomed regardless of their behavioral health challenges or homelessness status, and encouraged and supported to live their best life. This year, Towne House lost one of the longest-term members, Beferia Thomas. Beferia was a true Townie, giving and receiving support across her lifetime. She volunteered as a receptionist, greeter, lunch preparer, and took many other opportunities to stretch her talents to support her community. She was instrumental in helping Towne House find its permanent home, and got BACS support to find her own apartment and permanent home. Milly Alvarez, Friend of Towne House and former Towne House Director, gathered with others who Beferia impacted throughout the years in our Memorial Garden.

Data Confirms – BACS is reducing Hayward homelessness

The data confirms – BACS is reducing Hayward homelessness.

The Point-in-Time Count carried out across the Bay Area on Feb. 23 found 381 people experiencing homelessness in Hayward — with 114 of these individuals unsheltered—figures that were DOWN 22% and 28% respectively from the last Point-in-Time Count in January 2019.

BACS Initiative “Keep Oakland Housed” Wins HUD Award

The Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department Secretary, Marcia Fudge, presented BACS and Keep Oakland Housed partners with the “2022 Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships – Housing and Community Development in Action.” The awards recognize the partnership process and its impact as a community strategy to increase the quality of life for low- and moderate-income residents across all American geographies – urban, suburban, and rural.

Sacramento CNP Milestone – 1000 People Served

The Crisis Navigation Program was BACS inaugural Sacramento program and has reached its first year being open! In the first year, CNP built a solid team of dedicated peer support staff to provide crisis intervention and system navigation to our community members. CNP developed meaningful partnerships with all eight Sacramento County Emergency Rooms and many of our local psychiatric hospitals to support high utilizers of emergency services link to much needed care. CNP staff have proven to be a dynamic team that loves potlucks, team building and advocating for community members!

Juneteenth Celebrations

In 2021, BACS added Juneteenth as a holiday for our team. Juneteenth is a celebration of long-overdue change and freedom. It is also time for all of us to reflect on the work that remains and the activism it will take to get to where we do not see generational poverty, homelessness and displacement, economic disempowerment, incarceration, and policing over-impact people of color.

We hosted celebrations at our Wellness Centers and encouraged staff and partners to participate in the education and importance of the history of this holiday. Staff, partners, and community members joined us for a day of full of fun and laughter while also remembering how far we have come.

If you would like to see more events hosted by our Wellness Centers, visit our activity calendars here.

SHARE Landlord Event

BACS Share Center presented its first Annual Housing Collaboration Luncheon. Property owners joined us at Cultura in Carmel-by-the-sea for lunch and to learn more about the benefits of our programs and BACS services.

“I am incredibly proud of the SHARE team for putting together such a successful event!! My Care Coordinators had the idea and made it all happen – from getting invitations to collecting donations for the silent auction. My RCs came through with homemade desserts and basket wrapping. Now we are getting landlords and property managers-that never gave us the time of day-reaching out to us to see how we could partner. A huge shout out to Cultura for their incredibly generous donation!! If anyone is looking for some good Mexican, look no further. We also could not have been as successful if our housed partners, Christie and Jennifer, didn’t come and share their experiences.  It was a beautiful event and I was lucky to be a part of it.”- Nykole Sakihara, SHARE Center Manager

Thank you to our guest speakers and everyone that was able to join us. If you are a property manager and would like to partner with BACS, please reach out to us at bacs@bayareacs.org

National Resource, Local Support – Call 988

The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, formerly a 10-digit 800 number, can now be simply reached by dialing “988”. As of July 16, simply calling or texting 988 or chatting 988Lifeline.org will connect you to compassionate care and support for mental health-related distress. We encourage everyone to share this with their communities because everyone deserves support in a crisis.

Learn more on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline here: https://988lifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/