Martha’s Place Children's Center

Martha’s Place is a San Luis Obispo County Health Agency program where Mental Health and Public Health are integrated to provide expert, multidisciplinary assessments and individual and family therapy for infants and young children (ages 0-5) who exhibit extreme behavioral concerns, developmental delays, and known prenatal substance exposure. Youth may receive a mental health assessment and /or a specialized pediatric assessment depending on their specific needs. Case management services are provided to connect families with resources and some medication management is provided by the pediatrician.

Who is eligible?

Children birth-5 years old residing in SLO County with MediCal/CenCal eligibility who may:

  • have behaviors that are interfering with their social and emotional development
  • be experiencing moderate or severe mental health symptoms such as:
    • Severe emotional outbursts
    • Irritability and aggression
    • Separation anxiety
    • Difficulty with sleep
    • Impulsivity and hyperactivity
  • have been prenatally exposed to alcohol or other substances.

Referrals can be made by accessing the following forms: 

For children displaying only severe speech delays or signs of autism, please call us at (805) 781-4948 to discuss appropriate referrals.

Is there a charge for this service?

Ongoing services are free for SLO Medi-Cal (CenCal) beneficiaries with full scope Medi-Cal. We help SLO residents who do not have Medi-Cal find resources and may provide some services on a sliding scale basis. There is no cost to families who qualify for Educationally Related Social Emotional Support Services (ERSESS).

When and where is this service offered?

This service is available throughout the year during regular business hours except during scheduled holidays. Services can be accessed by calling Martha’s Place: (805) 781-4948.

Location, directions and hours of operation

Click on location name to show hours of operation, directions and phone information

Monday - Friday 8-5


2925 McMillan Avenue Suite 108
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Tel: (805) 781-4948

FAQS

Services can be accessed by calling Martha’s Place: (805) 781-4948. Referrals can be made by accessing the following forms: 

Complete the mailed forms and online questionnaires prior to appointment to help inform assessments. Support is available by phone in English and Spanish to assist with completing forms. Limited childcare for siblings may be available- please advise receptionist of childcare needs when scheduling.
Specialized pediatric exams are scheduled for 1 hour while mental health evaluations last approx. 2 hours. All significant caregivers are encouraged to attend intake appointment. Authorizations signed by a guardian are required for all people in attendance. Bring any previous assessment reports from doctors, school, TCRC, etc.
You will be contacted within 10 business days regarding determination for Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS). If found eligible for SMHS, treatment may be provided at Martha’s Place, the behavioral health clinic closest to your home or by a provider in the community. On request, a summary report of the assessment will be provided. You may be provided with additional recommendations or referrals.
The clinical staff at Martha’s Place including pediatricians, mental health therapists and public health nurses receive specialized training on detecting signs of trauma in infants and toddlers and are knowledgeable in the wide-range of resources in our community dedicated to supporting children and their families.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is a term given to describe all types of abuse, neglect, and other traumatic experiences that occur to individuals under the age of 18. The term comes from a research study known as the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (see ACEs Study by Kaiser Permanente) which looked at the relationships between these experiences during childhood and reduced health and well-being later in life.

Traumatic experiences in childhood including divorce, domestic violence, abuse and neglect are associated with a greater rate of negative health outcomes later in life, including drug addiction, mental illness, chronic health conditions and even early death. The term “complex trauma” may be used to describe both children’s exposure to multiple traumatic events as well as the long-term effects of this exposure.

In addition to children who have experienced trauma, infants who have been prenatally exposed to alcohol and/or other substances are also vulnerable to experiencing challenges over the course of their life. 

Martha’s Place opened in 2007. It is named in honor of Martha Johnston great-granddaughter of Shirley Bianchi (a retired 2nd District Supervisor) whose life, though tragically short, exemplifies both the damage alcohol and drugs can have on children as well as the amazing resiliency of youth when help is provided. 
More infomration about Martha's Place, and the Model of Care Partners Oversight Committee of Martha’s Place (MoCPOC) can be found online at the Center for Family Strengthening's website.