New Directions

What is the New Directions Program?

The New Directions program nurtures personal stability and well-being in Santa Clara County’s most medically and psychosocially vulnerable populations. New Directions provides community-based behavioral health, case management, and other supportive services to clients referred from Santa Clara County partner agencies, managed Medi-Cal plans, community clinics, hospitals and local healthcare providers.

Small caseloads allow New Directions staff to work closely with each patient or family to establish a plan with goals to increase self-sufficiency and improve health and overall well-being.

New Directions Program activities include:

• Comprehensive Assessments of Needs
• Linkage to Primary Healthcare and Behavioral Healthcare Providers
• Housing Assessments and Referral
• Connects clients to basic need resources, benefits, and other community supports

New Directions History

The Hospital Council of Northern and Central California founded New Directions in 2002 after the healthcare system became troubled by the large number of individuals turning to hospital Emergency Departments as their primary resource for healthcare. New Directions was launched as an innovative project that would connect Santa Clara County’s most vulnerable patients to appropriate care, improving patient outcomes, and reducing the number of avoidable visits to the hospital. In July 2013, New Directions left the Hospital Council and merged with Peninsula Healthcare Connection, adding an additional layer of programming to the community-based organization.

Partners with New Directions

All referrals to New Directions are made through the partners listed below:

• El Camino Healthcare
• Santa Clara Family Health Plan
• Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing
• Santa Clara County Medical Respite Program
• Stanford Health Care