Homeless Engagement and Response Team (HEART)

Sacramento County’s Homeless Engagement and Response Team (HEART) is a field and shelter based outreach team that supports individuals experiencing homelessness get linked to behavioral health services. The team, which consists of Mental Health Counselors and Behavioral Health Peer Specialists, engages individuals in the community connecting them to vital resources including mental health treatment, substance use treatment, medical care, shelter, and more.  

What HEART does 

HEART focuses on outreach, engagement, and connection to services. The team:

Engages people experiencing homelessness via street and shelter outreach 

Builds trust over time through consistent and repeated outreach
 

Conducts behavioral health and substance use screenings
 

Connects people to mental health and substance use prevention and treatment services
 

Refers people to shelter and housing navigation resources

 

Helps people access medical care, including Medi-Cal

 

Much of the work is done in person, through outreach and direct engagement. 

How to Refer to HEART 

Referrals may come from: 

  • Community members 
  • Family or friends 
  • Case managers 
  • 211 
  • Community-based organizations 
  • Public agencies 
  • Interested individuals

Who This Program Serves 

HEART primarily supports: 

  • Individuals experiencing homelessness 
  • Individuals who are chronically homeless 
  • Individuals with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder 

Applicants are assessed based on level of need. 

The Front Door to Behavioral Health Bridge Housing

Homelessness is a housing issue. But Sacramento County recognizes the significant relationship between behavioral health wellness and housing stability. In 2023, Sacramento County received funding for Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH). HEART manages all referrals into BHBH interim housing beds. 

For more information, visit Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH).

Resources

Locations