Health Programs

Programs

BOSS provides a range of health programs to help people achieve the maximum possible health and wellness, to support stable independent living.

Drop-In Center

The Multi-Agency Service Center (MASC) provides a range of health and wellness services to the chronically homeless, offering respite from the street and a connection to life-changing support. Located in downtown Berkeley, it is open seven days a week, and serves as one of the primary entry points into BOSS. Anyone who is homeless in the Bay Area is welcome to attend.

Drop-in services include:

  • Detailed needs assessments and referrals to community services
  • Access to health and mental health care
  • Health education workshops
  • Drug/alcohol recovery groups
  • Peer support groups and socialization
  • Life skills workshops (budgeting, household management, personal care)
  • Art groups and movies
  • Showers and hygiene supplies
  • Voice mail and phone use
  • Lockers for storage, with mandatory case management
  • Housing and employment search to support independent living

The MASC also provides independent living support to many clients after they are housed, to prevent repeat homelessness or hospitalization.

Alongside BOSS, representatives from Berkeley Mental Health, Berkeley Public Health Clinic, Health Care for the Homeless, Homeless Action Center, Care Through Touch, and UCSF Nursing come to meet with clients to give additional services and referrals.

Contact: (510) 843-3700

Behavioral Health Care Service Team

In partnership with the Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services Agency, BOSS provides long-term case management to assist people with moderate to severe mental illness. The goal of case management is to help formerly homeless individuals meet ongoing needs so they can manage their disability and avoid repeat homelessness or hospitalization.

Contact: (510) 435-6524

Residential Health Services

BOSS provides a range of health services for residents in all of our housing programs.

  • Detailed needs assessments and referrals to community services
  • Access to on-site health and mental health care, including visits from the Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless van and public health nurses
  • On-site interns from Samuel Merritt College (Nursing Program), UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare, and Lifelong Health Services
  • Monitoring medications
  • Health education workshops, including symptom management, health maintenance, stress management, and more
  • Drug/alcohol recovery groups
  • Peer support groups and socialization
  • Life skills workshops (budgeting, household management, personal care)
  • Housing and employment search to support independent living

DonateNow